Brand: Frigidare Model Number: FFHS2611PFEA Main Symptom: H/1 Alarm What happens & when: Our refrigerator started sounding a 3-beep alarm. The refrigerator temperature setting began flashing H/1. The freezer seemed to be freezing. The fridge was cool but not cold. It took a few days to get a repairman. It was cool when he came. He said that air was coming from the damper and had me feel it. He said that if it happened again (the alarm), the damper would be the problem and that fixing it would require a damper and a thermistor, costing $500.00.
I am pretty handy with tools. I looked it up online, ordered an OEM thermistor and an aftermarket damper assembly (because I could get it faster). It came, and I installed it. Just trying to save money. A bit tricky as I had not done it before, but I replaced the parts and put it back together. It started working and cooling. I am not sure how strong the airflow from the damper should be, but I could feel it. It hadn’t been cooling properly for a week by then, but the freezer seemed fine, and the fridge was cool but as cold as it should be.
After about a day and a half, it was cooling but slowly. The freezer got cold… -10 or below… the fridge started at 66 (outdoor thermometer in a glass of cold water) yesterday afternoon, dropped to 50 by 6:30 this morning, and 50 at 9:00 am. At around 11:30 am, the 3-beep alarm and flashing H/1. Unplugged it for 5 minutes, plugged it back in, thinking the board would reset—3-beep alarm after about 20 minutes, with H/1 flashing.
Error Code (if any): H/1
Parts or tests already tried: Damper Assembly/Thermistor
Photos / video link:
So the HI will indicate high temperatures. This happens when the temperature is rising above 55 degrees in the refrigerator section. Since the damper and the thermistor has been replaced, check to see if the airflow increases when you open the freezer door. If it does then pull the crispers out and see if there anything blocking the return air duct. If there is not then this issue will most likely be caused by a faulty control board.
The airflow definitely increases when I open the freezer door. When I checked the return air duct and stuck my fingers in it, it is iced up inside. Feels like frost and perhaps ice
You should be able to clear it out with a hair dryer. Just be careful not to overheat the area. You can also access this from the freezer side by removing the rear panel in the freezer. You may also notice ice on the floor in the freezer if the drain is clogged up and causing the ice to block the return from the freezer side.
I am clearing it on mild heat. Giving my back a breack.. if there is no ice on the floor of the freezer can I assume the drian is not clogged. Perhpas this wasnt the damper. PErhaps it was the vent all along, althought the tech that diagnosed the damper assembly reached into that vent and said that it was good. what would have cause the ice build up
It is not a normal issue but can happen due to air leaks. It would be recommended to make sure that the seals are not damaged and that there are no air leaks.
Yes around the door seals there could be an air leak. Air migrates in and will cause icing of the return duct. This would be the most common cause or if the doors are not closing properly.