Whirlpool freezer at -20 but frig not cold

[acantha1]

Hello,

Brand new to this. It's a French Door frig with the freezer (pull-out) on the bottom.

A month ago the frig stopped working but the freezer was fine. Called someone on a Saturday but could come out. Told me to clean the coils (very very dusty with cat hair and dust). Said to pull the back panel off and feel the two pipes going into the compressor. Said one should be really hot to the touch and the other cold - which they were. Said the "relay" or something was okay.

Let it thaw for a couple days worked great.

Two weeks later the frig got to 50-60 degrees, but the freezer was at -20.

My wife thinks that since we didn't have anything in the freezer, it caused something going to the frig to freeze.

Thawed it for 4 days and it's working great again.

What is getting clogged or frozen and how do I stop it?

Thank you for reading.

[Bearcat]

Please list the model number of your refrigerator.

[acantha1]

WRF535SWHV00 Whirlpool

Thank you!

[Appliance Medix]

It’s more than likely failing damper motor (WPW10594330).  Could be a bad jazz board or thermistor too.  9 out of 10 times it’s the damper motor.

[acantha1]

Thank you.  What does a damper motor do?
Twice now after thawing,  it's working great.
In fact, we've had to turn the dail down because it was too cold in both compartments.

Do you know where I'd find a video on how to replace the damper motor?

Thanks again!

[Appliance Medix]

The damper motor is used to control freezer air into the refrigerator.  When the refrigerator section gets to its set temperature, the damper motor closes and doesn’t allow and more freezer air to enter.  When the temp goes up in the refrigerator section, the damper motor opens, allowing cold air to come in. 

Video showing how to change a damper motor.  Yours will be very similar.

https://youtu.be/KCF0f_Xcco0

[acantha1]

Again, thank you.

I guess I'm wondering why defrosting would solve the frig not getting cold. Do you think that maybe the damper motor could freeze then defrosting allowed it to work?

Twice now I've defrosted and got the frig temp where it should be. It's getting close to 2 weeks since my last defrost so I'm closely watching my temp gauge. It was about 2 weeks after my 1st defrost that the frig warmed up again.

[Bearcat]

I would be careful.  Typically defrost issues take about 2 weeks to show up, after a unit has been defrosted.  This can be caused by the defrost heater not working, a faulty defrost thermostat, the defrost timer, or electronic control, or a faulty thermistor.  More for you to think about.

Bearcat

[Bearcat]

It’s hard to tell from the pictures that I have, although if this unit is what I would call a mini French door ( not as large as a full size in width ).  Then I would suspect the defrost thermistor in the freezer.  If the defrost thermistor doesn’t sense that the freezer is below 60 degrees, it will not let the refrigerator go into defrost.

Bearcat
P  O BOX 8
Hiwasse, AR 72739

Cash donations always accepted.

[Appliance Medix]

Only reason I suspect the damper is because you said the freezer was at -20 deg.  Freezers don’t go that low if there is a defrost issue.  Defrost failure in the freezer will make the freezer temp 20-40 deg.

[acantha1]

Sorry, don't know how to reply individually. Thanks for the info. Guess it's just a waiting game as the frig compartment is holding a good temperature.