Frigidaire refrigerator

General
1

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Brand:frigidaire
Model Number:fpru19f8wf3
Main Symptom:not cooling
What happens & when:temp set on 34 but temp registering around 45

Error Code (if any):
Parts or tests already tried:
Photos / video link:

2

On the Frigidaire FPRU19F8WF3, a set temperature of 34°F with an actual temperature around 45°F means the refrigerator is definitely running too warm. This model uses an evaporator fan, thermistors, an electronic control, inverter compressor, and a defrost system, so I’d diagnose airflow and the refrigeration system before replacing a control board.

Start with these checks

1. Verify the temperature
Place a thermometer in a glass of water near the center of the refrigerator and leave it for several hours, preferably overnight. If it remains around 45°F, continue below.

2. Check the evaporator fan
Open the door and listen for the fan. You may need to hold the door switch closed for the fan to operate.

You should feel good airflow coming from the interior air outlets. This model has a dedicated evaporator fan motor, so a stopped or slow fan can cause exactly this type of temperature problem.

If the compressor is running but there is little or no air circulation, inspect the evaporator fan first.

3. Inspect the evaporator frost pattern — this is the most useful test
Unplug the refrigerator and remove the inside rear evaporator cover.

Look at the evaporator coil:

  • Even, light frost across most of the coil: sealed system is probably working. Concentrate on the fan, thermistor and controls.
  • Evaporator packed in heavy snow/ice: likely a defrost problem.
  • Frost only on the first few loops of the evaporator: likely a sealed-system/refrigerant or compressor problem.
  • Compressor running but essentially no frost: also points toward the sealed system.

This model has a separate defrost heater and defrost NTC harness, so a heavily iced evaporator needs defrost-system testing rather than automatically replacing the main board.

Check the condenser side

While the refrigerator is calling for cooling, check underneath/back:

Compressor: should normally be running if the cabinet is 45°F with a 34°F setting.

Condenser fan: should be running whenever required to remove heat from the condenser/compressor area. This model uses condenser fan assembly 5304519734.

Also clean any dust buildup around the condenser and make sure airflow underneath the refrigerator isn’t restricted.

Thermistor is another possibility

If the evaporator has a good frost pattern, both fans operate normally, and the compressor cycles off while the refrigerator is still around 45°F, I would become suspicious of the temperature sensing/control circuit.

The FPRU19F8WF3 does use thermistors for temperature sensing.

A thermistor that’s reporting the cabinet colder than it actually is can cause the control to shut the compressor down prematurely.

Quick diagnostic shortcut

If you can tell me these three things, we can narrow this down considerably:

  1. Is the compressor running when it’s 45°F?
  2. Is the evaporator fan running?
  3. What does the evaporator frost pattern look like — fully frosted, completely iced over, or frost only in one small area?

Of those, the evaporator frost pattern is the test I’d do first. It will quickly separate an airflow/defrost/control problem from a sealed-system problem.