The front face of the divider between the doors on my Kenmore Elite side-by-side has been very hot since I moved into my home ... so hot that I have trouble holding my hand against it for more than 5 seconds.

I've read a little bit about this problem (here and elsewhere) and it appears to be due to something called a yoder loop which runs around the freezer unit. Apparently it is hot because the coolant running through the loop is not getting rid of enough heat before entering the loop.

So I've cleaned the coils under the refrigerator and I've checked to make sure the cooling fan at the back is operational. This hasn't helped. Any other suggestions?

If that condenser fan in the back is not blowing fast enough, it will cause that excessive heat between the doors. I have seen that condenser fan run slow to cause this, check that condenser fan again to make sure its blowing fast, feel the air that it blows out, it should be warm to hot.

Jake

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I am now not so sure the condenser fan is working.

I had indirect evidence from family members that they had felt air blowing out of the bottom of the fridge but since my last post I been feeling for it and have not felt any air. I pulled out the fridge and haven't seen the fan kick on.

How do I know what the problem is here? Is the fan motor bad? Or is there a thermostat that tells it when to kick on that could be bad?

I pulled the plug going to the fan motor and tested to see if the plug had power and it did. This seems to indicate the fan motor is bad ... is there any way to determine for sure?

I looked on some parts sites and the motor they show looks different than the original. Is this common?

(my kenmore model number is 106.50593003 and the part number is apparently 2206036)

The condensor fan will always run if the compressor is running. If it isn't, and you have 120vac, your fan motor is bad. Get a fan back there to cool it down until you get a new one...Also, make sure the back cover is back on when you're done w/ repair as it is critical for proper air circulation.

Justin (appliance tech)

Also, it is common for parts to substitute to new ones. Sometimes a positive revision is made, other times vendors are changed... If the fan is posted for your model, it should be the correct one.

Justin

Yes, I had to change one of these motors about a year and a half ago, and i was abit confused at first, because the original motor has been changed to the substitute one, that looks totally different, but it worked fine.

Yes, thats the correct part#2206036.

You can order it Here

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

Justin, your comment about placing a fan back there until I get a new motor makes it seem like this fan is a critical component of the fridge's operation.

But if my hunch is correct, then the fan hasn't been working for the entire time that this "yoder loop" has been hot ... which is 2 and a half years! The fridge has seemingly worked fine that whole time though (which is why I never really worried about the hot "yoder loop" issue) ... go figure.

PS Justin and Jake (and others), thanks for the help. You guys have a really good website going here ... I really appreciate your time and the knowledge you have provided.

The condensor fan is very critical. It helps cool the condensor to proper temperatures. The whole refrigeration system relies on temperatures and pressures to operate. If condensor pressure goes up in condensor because it can't lose it's heat due to a bad fan, pressure rises as well in the evaporator which will cause reduced heat removal...it's all relative. Your welcome...glad I could help you.

Justin