Jenn-Air: No cold air to refrigerator side, freezer very cold and fan runs

Refrigerator & Freezer Repair
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1

Brand: Jenn-Air
Model Number: JSD2789AES
Main Symptom: Refrigerator side not cooling
What happens & when: When the freezer door is open, cold air comes out of the top vent and middle vent on the refrigerator side. As soon as I shut the freezer door, air stops coming out of the top vent, but air continues to come out of the middle vent. The freezer is very cold and seems to be operating normally, fan is running.

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

2

On a Maytag/Whirlpool-built side-by-side like the JSD2789AES, your observation is very useful diagnostically.

What your test indicates

  • Freezer is cold → sealed system and compressor are likely OK.

  • Evaporator fan is running → freezer airflow is being generated.

  • Middle vent continues to blow with freezer door closed → the fan is still moving air.

  • Top refrigerator vent stops blowing when freezer door closes → points toward an airflow control/damper issue, not a refrigeration issue.

Normally, cold air is pushed from the freezer through the damper assembly into the fresh food compartment. Opening the freezer door changes pressure conditions inside the cabinet. If airflow appears at the top vent only when the freezer door is open, it often means:

Most likely causes

1. Restricted or failed refrigerator air damper (most likely)

The damper door may be:

  • Stuck partially closed

  • Broken

  • Obstructed by frost

  • Not opening fully when commanded

When the freezer door is open, the pressure difference can allow some cold air to leak through the restricted passage. Once the door closes, airflow through that path drops off.

2. Frost buildup in the air channel

If ice is forming around the damper or air return passages:

  • Airflow can change depending on door position.

  • The refrigerator side warms while the freezer remains normal.

Look for frost around the upper vent area inside the refrigerator.

3. Air return blockage

The refrigerator section needs both:

  • Supply air from the freezer

  • Return air back to the freezer

If a return duct is blocked by ice or food packages, airflow can behave strangely and cooling becomes weak.

Checks I’d recommend

Check the damper operation

Locate the upper vent/damper assembly at the top of the refrigerator compartment.

  1. Set refrigerator temperature to the coldest setting.

  2. Open the refrigerator door.

  3. Hold the door switch closed.

  4. Listen near the top vent.

You should hear or feel the damper opening and closing as temperature settings are changed.

Inspect for frost

Remove the cover around the upper vent/damper area if accessible and look for:

  • Ice accumulation

  • Frozen damper door

  • Broken foam/plastic damper parts

Check evaporator frost pattern

If you can access the freezer rear panel:

  • Remove the rear evaporator cover.

  • Look at the evaporator coil.

A light, even frost across most of the coil is normal.

If the coil is packed in snow/ice, then a defrost problem could be restricting airflow.

Most probable repair

Based on your description alone, I’d put the odds roughly at:

  1. Damper assembly problem – 60-70%

  2. Ice blockage in damper/air channel – 20-30%

  3. Defrost-related airflow restriction – 10-20%

One question that would narrow it down quickly:

Is the refrigerator section warm everywhere, or is the bottom of the refrigerator noticeably colder than the top? Also, do you hear any clicking or movement from the damper area at the top left/top center of the refrigerator compartment?

3

Jeffrey,

Thank you for the information. It appears to have been an air channel ice blockage in the return air vent near the bottom of the refrigerator. I could see some ice inside the air return vent. It thawed and appears to be working fine now.

Thanks,
Caracal