Whirlpool GC5SHEXNQ05 running but fridge not cooling, heavy frost on evaporator & fan stops

Refrigerator & Freezer Repair
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1

Brand: Whirlpool
Model Number: GC5SHEXNQ05
Main Symptom: Freezer fan not working, Fridge not cooling
What happens & when:

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

My side by side stopped working properly last week. It has a variable speed compressor (Embraco VEGY 7H) and inverter. For some months, we’ve been hearing what sounded like the compressor being turned on and off in short cycles but the unit seemed to be working ok - kept temperature and no other issues. Last week I discovered that the top part of the freezer had thawed out and the fridge was no longer cool. Took everything out of the fridge & freezer and ran it empty to try and find out what was happening. When plugging the unit back in, I hear a high pitch noise and then after a few seconds a click, the condenser fan and the compressor run, power to the fridge & freezer interior, the evaporator fan runs and the evaporator coils start to cool. After a few seconds the high pitch noise stops, both fans and compressor stop (power still on in unit). The high pitch noise starts again and turns everything on again. This start/stop continues for up to 12 cycles then the high pitch noise stops and the condenser fan and the compressor run (no odd sounds when running) and fridge & freezer initially start to cool. At some point the evaporator fan stops (so no cold air going into fridge) and the freezer continues to get cold.
I replaced the inverter board thinking the inverter was the cause of the short cycling. I’m now not getting the short cycling as before, but it didn’t solve the cooling problem.

When I plug the unit in, the evaporator fan runs for a short while and cold air gets through to the fridge and both freezer & fridge start to cool. Evaporator fan stops at some point, whilst the evaporator coils continue to get cold and within a couple of hours a thick frost is on the coils. Compressor and condenser fan run continuously - compressor getting very hot.
Could the fault be the defrost thermostat or is it something more (problem with refrigerant/closed system?) How do I test to find the source of the problem?

2

This issue sounds likely that the inverter is trying to start the compressor and will not start it. You would most likely need to replace the inverter.

3

Hi, thanks for your reply. I have replaced the inverter and the compressor is running without cycling now. But still have cooling problems.
I will try to test the voltage to the evaporator fan as it isn’t running. Do I just unplug the fan motor wire harness and check the voltage coming into the freezer while the unit has power?

4

Yes, check to see if there is 120 vac getting to the fan. If there is not then the control would be the issue. If there is not then the fan would need to be replaced.

5

Thanks - do I need to connect the multimeter in a specific way? e.g. black to white/purple & red to yellow/red?

6

Hi. I’m getting 0.00 vac when testing yellow/red wire (black lead) to white wire (red lead).
yellow/red wire (red lead) to white wire (black lead) give me 0.08. Do I need to test any other configuration? Does this mean I’m not getting power from the control board?

7

Update - After the multimeter test I unplugged the fridge, reconnected the evaporator fan and turned the fridge back on. After initial startup, both fans and compressor are working. Everything runs for bit then there’s a click noise and the evaporator fan turns off then another click and fan goes on again a second later. It turns off & on at various intervals (anywhere between 30 secs to 2.5 mins). Compressor runs all the time and is getting hot but condenser fan runs the whole time. Evaporator coils are starting to get white and I can see any water droplets on the coils are freezing. So the fan is clearly working but intermittently. Any ideas what the problem could be?