GE Fridge Convertible Drawer Damper Replacement How To? (Pop Can Explosions...)

Refrigerator & Freezer Repair
1

Please make sure to click on General above and select the correct appliance type first.

Brand: GE
Model Number: PVD28BYNCFS
Main Symptom: Convertible Drawer Freezes…
What happens & when: Food freezes, pop cans explode, swear words are said.

Error Code (if any): N/A
Parts or tests already tried: Just ordered GE WR02X31945 Refrigerator Convertible Drawer Damper OEM Part from this site and looking for how-to on how to replace.
Photos / video link: I wish there was a video for this…

Hello,

We have a GE fridge that is now 6 years old and out of warranty (and even if it was, our location is so rural that GE/Bodewell doesn’t even pretend to service our area so I am on my own).

The convertible drawer freezes and has done so for a while and there has been a lot of wasted food, pop can explosions, and some swears. No matter what temperature option selected (Beverages, Snacks, Wine), it freezes. We have unplugged in hopes of a reset. Nothing. We have tried duct tape to cover vents, drawer organizer “vents”, etc. and still it freezes.

I have scoured the internet as much I could to find a fix and found a social media post where one person showed the same issue with the convertible drawer and a comment on the post that said a service person came out and replaced the damper and that was the fix…but he didn’t say model of fridge, part number, etc. and I literally cannot find a forum, YouTube video, etc. that shows my model and the fix. Even Gemini is worthless. And to be honest, there are two vents in the convertible drawer area and I have no idea which one is actually the damper (I think it’s the middle).

The part I ordered from this site came with zero documentation and calling GE for help was meaningless as well.

Is there anyone on this forum that knows this GE fridge model and how to replace the damper? Again, I ordered the GE WR02X31945 Refrigerator Convertible Drawer Damper OEM Part from this site.

Thanks in advanced.

2

I have not done that particular job. I looked on line for a video, did not see anything. Maybe some of the other techs who monitor this forum has some instructions. Sorry

3

I don’t know maybe this service manual may help!

31-9326.pdf (4.8 MB)

4

Thanks for posting–we appreciate you looking (and honestly felt a bit good that you couldn’t find a video anywhere either!).

5

@bigbuck1 that manual saved the day!

It gave us the information we absolutely needed to get started and we are happy to report that we were able to replace the damper and most importantly…that damper replacement was indeed the fix!

The convertible drawer is actually working and maintaining (a non-freezing) temperature which means we can use it fully again (we would just pull the drawer out a few times a day which wasn’t great, but we need the space that drawer provides in a family of seven).

We did record the process and may compile a video and post to YouTube one of these days so it can hopefully help someone else with the same fridge style and damper issue. Heck, it may even go viral and we will either get a letter of reprimand from GE or maybe even our own Raw DIY show on HGTV :smiley: .

Thanks again for sharing that document.

6

Glad it help you out and mostly for getting back to me that my time is not going to waste.As you see a lot of these newer appliance are very complicated and it is very helpful that you have as much information you can get to work on this stuff.:+1: