I have a Kitchenaid Bottom Mount Built-In Refrigerator/Freezer (KBLS36FKX01 mfg date 2002) that is trying (and succeeding) in driving me mad. Beep, Beep, Beep -- every 30 seconds or so for the past 3 weeks, but the unit is maintaining temperature.

The first service call misdiagnosed the error code (Step #3) as a bad Thermistor. A week later, it was replaced and 5 minutes afterwards (and conveniently, after the technician left) -- started beeping again.

The second service call appropriately found the issue to be the evaporator fan (Step #3 -- motor on/improper speed) -- Hurray, solution in sight (and no other faults in the diagnostics).

The motor was replaced last night and all seemed to be working well. No beeping except for obscenities on the TV.

I thought I was having a nightmare (or withdrawl) when I awoke me this morning to the familiar Beep-Beep-Beep. The unit is cooling properly.

I ran the diagnostics and (yet again) obtained the same evaporator motor error (no others). I unplugged the unit for about 20 minutes and restarted it to the same error.

After beating my head against the over temp reset button 10 times, the new motor reached the proper speed and the error cleared. The first 9 times, the motor would run for a few seconds and turn off. I never tried this with the old motor.

I know I'm on borrowed time just waiting for the Beep-Beep-Beep to start again and I'm hoping (praying) someone here in the ether can offer some suggestions before I have to move or re-gift the unit to my in-laws for Christmas.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions you may have -- my sanity hangs in the balance.

I'm not sure if the new motor is bad or if it's a problem with the circuit/diagnostic board (just a gut), but I just want the Beep-Beep-Beep to end before I have to tap into the government bail-out package to cover repair costs.

If there is any other information that would help, don't hesitate to ask.

Thanks!

Mike

Just a follow-up.

As I anticipated, the Beep-Beep-Beep resumed after about a 3 hour lull -- with the same error code (evaporator fan on/improper speed).

I've confirmed that all of the connections to the fan are well seated.

In diagnostic mode for Step #3, upon pushing the over temp reset button the fan would run for 3-4 seconds and then stop. After the 5th try, it remained on and the error code reset.

Here's to another 3 hours (hopefully) of silence.

Beep-Beep-Beep.

Mike

Hi Mike,

This is a new one on me, I've never heard of this happening before.

This is a built-in model, I don't repair these much, but if I recall, when you leave the door open for an extended time, doesn't it do the 3 beeps every 30 seconds?

Can you pinpoint where exactly the 3 beeps are coming from?

Jake

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Jake -- Thanks for the reply.

You're correct on the beeping associated with leaving the door open. In that instance, the unit shuts down until the over temp reset is pushed.

It also beeps for all other errors. According to the technician, the unit runs a self diagnostic at regular intervals (I'm assuming it's around 3 hours -- that's how long I can get it to stop beeping after performing the diagnostics/resetting that I outlined in the original message).

The beeping comes from the upper display panel of the fridge (it's the panel with the digital temp indicators and controls for the frige/freezer, on/off control, water filter indicator, and my nemesis -- the call service light).

The appliance repair folks are baffled as well and, based on their comments, this isn't a common unit.

I think we might try to replace the diagnostic board next since the unit seems to work and only faults during the self diagnostic and, if it still fails, then the main computer board. -- I'd appreciate your thoughts on whether that seems to be a logical/rational course of action.

Thanks again for the response and any advice is greatly appreciated!

Mike

PS -- Not sure if it's helpful/relevant, but the repair company said this unit was manufactured by Sub-Zero for Kitchenaid. I haven't been able to verify that (there's no indication in any of the manuals or on the unit or on the Kitchenaid website).

When I called Kitchenaid service support to find a repair company, they referred me to a repair company in Michigan (and I'm in Chicago).

Mike

Yes, since this problem is new to me to, I'd replace the display control board first.

Here's the display control board for your model:
Manufacturer's Number: 2320696

2320696

Here's the main control board for your model:
Manufacturer's Number: 2252161

2252161

Yea, I'm not sure if yours is made by Sub-Zero for KitchenAid or not. They are both in the same Whirlpool Corporation, so I wouldn't be surprised.

Jake

__________________
Appliance Repair School 1987-1988
Star Appliance Tech. 2 yrs. 1988-1990
Wards Appliance Tech. 11 yrs. 1990-2001
Sears Appliance Tech. 4 yrs. 2001-Oct. 2005
Jake's Appliance Repair Nov. 2005-present

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Thanks again Jake.

We will give that a try and I'll let you know if that works.

Mike

Ok, sounds good Mike.

Jake

__________________
Appliance Repair School 1987-1988
Star Appliance Tech. 2 yrs. 1988-1990
Wards Appliance Tech. 11 yrs. 1990-2001
Sears Appliance Tech. 4 yrs. 2001-Oct. 2005
Jake's Appliance Repair Nov. 2005-present

If you need more repair advice help on your appliance, click Here

Look-Up & Order Parts

Shop Home Appliances