Author Topic: Whirlpool Gold Series Refrigerator - Again (Read 31334 times)

iliiinieis · « **on:** November 20, 2012, 05:58:19 PM »

Well, I got my ice maker fixed and now its snowing in my freezer. This thing is possessed. I turned the controls down to 3 and its snowing in my freezer and the eggs in the fridge are frozen. The vent hold from the freezer to the fridge is freezing over too.

Whirlpool Gold Series Refrigerator: Mod: GS6SHAXMB00 Ser: SR4054839Man Date: 10/04Type 26SSA

Background: The ice maker went out awhile back. I put in a new water valve and it still did not work. I put in a used ice maker from a friend and it ran for almost a year. Then it went out again. I vacuumed the coils off and jumped the controls and it still didn't run. I replace the ice maker and it works now but the freezer seems like it is stuck on full blast. The freezer and fridge have been on "5" for 8 years until this. Now they are on 3 and its still too cold.

Please tell me what is wrong with this thing. It seems like its one thing after another with this fridge.

iliiinieis · « **Reply #1 on:** November 21, 2012, 02:08:43 PM »

If there is a way to diagnose this or if I need to get more info just let me know.

iliiinieis · « **Reply #2 on:** November 24, 2012, 05:51:41 PM »

Ok, more to add.

Over the past couple of days there has been water in the floor in front of the fridge. I thought people were dropping ice cubes and letting them melt. Today however the water puddle was good size and I was the only one home. so I pulled it out and its dry underneath. I pushed it back and pulled the grill off and its dry as well. That was when I noticed the bottom of the freezer had about 4 inches of ice in the bottom. It formed to the bottom of the freezer so its coming in in liquid form.

I am thinking the water line that feeds the ice maker must be broken but you would think it would be leaking all the time unless its on the freezer side of the solenoid. I need to know how to get to it to check it but also, do you think this water is the cause of everything freezing up and the frost build up all over the freezer and the fridge side near the freezer vent?

Here are some pics:

Inside the aluminum grille piece in the back is where the water is coming from. The frozen ice flow (before I pulled the basket out) had a "valley" where the water had been flowing.

This is how it came out.

niobrara · « **Reply #3 on:** November 24, 2012, 05:55:53 PM »

Your drain is plugged

domain · « **Reply #4 on:** November 24, 2012, 06:08:00 PM »

Quote from: niobrara on November 24, 2012, 05:55:53 PM

Your drain is plugged

That's what I would believe...

iliiinieis · « **Reply #5 on:** November 24, 2012, 06:10:50 PM »

That sounds like an easy fix. How do I unplug it? I don't even know where it is.

Would that cause the frosting issue too?

iliiinieis · « **Reply #6 on:** November 24, 2012, 06:25:27 PM »

I found a link that says it should be under the evap coil in the back. I will pull that panel off and see if it is frozen over.

domain · « **Reply #7 on:** November 24, 2012, 06:30:26 PM »

Quote from: iliiinieis on November 24, 2012, 06:25:27 PM

I found a link that says it should be under the evap coil in the back. I will pull that panel off and see if it is frozen over.

Correct. A hair dryer, steamer, or hot water and towells/shop vac usually does the trick. I would venture to say the excess snow/frost/moisture in the freezer compartment is due to the drain being plugged. 2 birds, 1 stone.

iliiinieis · « **Reply #8 on:** December 01, 2012, 09:32:26 AM »

It worked. Thanks. It was pretty clogged up. Got it cleaned up and chased it with a bleach water mixture. Pics. My frosting up and water leak are both gone now. I dinged up the soft aluminum a little and cut myself pretty good on the fins but all in all it was worth it.

And after

niobrara · « **Reply #9 on:** December 01, 2012, 10:37:10 AM »

Good job.

domain · « **Reply #10 on:** December 01, 2012, 11:33:10 AM »

iliiinieis · « **Reply #11 on:** December 02, 2012, 11:39:39 AM »

Thanks. I hope it is trouble free for awhile. It runs like a champ now. The freezer got a good scrubbing too.

iliiinieis · « **Reply #12 on:** December 31, 2012, 06:08:25 PM »

Ok guys, it happened again. Its completely froze up again and just as bad. There must be something wrong. I need ideas. In my previous cleaning it drained perfect and was extremely clean. For some reason it is freezing up before it drains? I am at a loss with this refrigerator.

dab147315 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 31, 2012, 06:43:33 PM »

That ice on the evaporator is not from a clog drain in the picture you first posted.Are your door gasket OK?Is the dispenser flap closing?Are all the fan motors working,fan in freezer and fan by compressor working.And does it have that ice on the evaporator again like in the first post or is it just the drain.

AJ · « **Reply #14 on:** December 31, 2012, 06:46:49 PM »

Quote from: dab147315 on December 31, 2012, 06:43:33 PM

That ice on the evaporator is not from a clog drain in the picture you first posted.Are your door gasket OK?Is the dispenser flap closing?Are all the fan motors working,fan in freezer and fan by compressor working.And does it have that ice on the evaporator again like in the first post or is it just the drain.

I agree with dab, also if it is really a drain problem there is a heater probe kit they make to clamp on the defrost element and feed down the drain hole.

http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Drain-Strap/819043/726493

I know some guys that also do the same thing with a heavy gage piece of coper wire.

Sometimes the defrost heating elements will warp up and away from the defrost pans over time.

Can't tell from your photos if that is the case or not, but I have replaced some defrost element that "worked" as far as getting hot, but had warped.

Your model uses heating element part # 2323198

iliiinieis · « **Reply #15 on:** December 31, 2012, 07:10:10 PM »

Door gaskets are good. Very flexible and making good contact. Ice flap is closing but the mechanism in the door that turns the ice bar in the bucket is squeaking like crazy. I removed the bucket and it still squeaks badly. I have not taken it apart yet as I just noticed the puddle outside the fridge a few hours ago. I wanted to talk to you all first. I will be taking it apart tomorrow and will post new pics.

Is there a way to test the fans and heating element to see if they are working. I found the post that shows to test the heating element for continuity. Is there a way to trigger a defrost so I can check the fans? My luck, its the control board http://www.appliancepartspros.com/whirlpool-cntrl-elec-2313177-ap3859538.html

dab147315 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 31, 2012, 07:53:47 PM »

THE FANS ARE ON IN THE COOLING CYCLE WHEN THE COMPRESSOR IS ON.IF THE HEATER WAS BAD OR TERMINATION THERMOSTAT WAS BAD OR CONTROL BOARD WAS BAD YOU WOULD HAVE HEAVY FROST ALL THE WAY UP ON THE EVAPORATOR IN THE FREEZER.YOU SHOULD HEAR FAN IN FREEZER.THE FAN BY THE COMPRESSOR WILL BE ON ANYTIME THE COMPRESSOR IS ON.ALSO YOUR CONTROL BOARD IS BACK THERE BY THE COMPRESSOR.ALSO WHEN YOU TAKE FREEZER PANEL OFF CHECK FOR A SLIGHT FROST PATTERN ALL THE WAY UP ON THE EVAPORATOR.

niobrara · « **Reply #17 on:** December 31, 2012, 09:04:29 PM »

Pour water on your evap coil with the cover off and see what it does

iliiinieis · « **Reply #18 on:** January 12, 2013, 02:01:32 PM »

Quote

That ice on the evaporator is not from a clog drain in the picture you first posted.Are your door gasket OK?Is the dispenser flap closing?Are all the fan motors working,fan in freezer and fan by compressor working.And does it have that ice on the evaporator again like in the first post or is it just the drain.

Ok, I just took it apart. Fan inside freezer works, door flap is closing and door seals are good. Fan at compressor is working too. I am about to pour water on it to see what it does. as you can see it is frosted all the way up the coil and the aluminum panel was frozen in place. I have it unplugged and thawing right now.

This is what the freezer to fridge port looks like. It has never done this.

iliiinieis · « **Reply #19 on:** January 12, 2013, 02:11:27 PM »

Quote

Pour water on your evap coil with the cover off and see what it does

Nothing. the fan kept running. It made a couple of loud pops and cracks like ice breaking free. I used cool water from the water dispenser.

I unplugged it and plugged it back in. The fan stayed off for a few minutes while the compressor ran and then it came on and started cooling. the defrost rod never got even warm. Is there a way to force it into a defrost cycle?

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Author Topic: Whirlpool Gold Series Refrigerator - Again (Read 31334 times)