Thread: Kenmore Cold Freezer - Warm fridge Frost free failure

Kenmore Refrig. Model 106.53259202

Recently we moved this refrig. (approx. quarter mile). When we moved we had to put it on sidewise on a pickup truck as we couldn't lift it.

After we moved (Feb 1st week) we started realizing 50 deg. on Fridge side and a 10 deg freezer. I checked the freezer side everything (Condensor, Evaporator, fan motor and fan) was normal. Even drain pan and drain whole were clear and no dust. Then I checked the Air Diffuser assembly on top left in the fridge side, felt it was the problem as it was closed all the time, preventing the air to flow. so pushed it manually to keep it open with small knife. It gave few clicking sound and it didn't make any clicks after that. Now the air vent is open and is blowing cold air to fridge and it is works good, but now I left with frost free failure. Now freezer is blowing more cold air. I think forced diffuser to open caused this frost failure. Please help me identifying the root cause of this failure to bring the frost free system back to normal.

Can air diffuser fail to signal the frost free system not to work? Please help me with your technical expertise to fix this failure.

Below is the detailed explaination of what I did, could have caused this frost free failure.

Checking on Air Diffuser (damper), it was closed and I thought was frozen shut. I used hairdryer to clear small amount of ice formation. Then I could open it with letter opener knife (like small knife). As soon as I turn the power on, it closed with force. Later I pushed it and left the knife to keep it open. I turned the power on, I heard click sound. And I pulled the damper out of the path of freezer and fridge by pushing the hold clip on right top of freezer side. (There is also a black wire connected to air diffuser assembly. I don't know whether it is for grounding purpose sticked with tape on freezer wall). I did same thing by keeping the diffuser assembly on my hand to see whether it closes again. It did the same, so I inserted the knife and powered on, it clicked once and nothing head after that and I pulled the knife out and powered on, damper didn't close at all, it stayed open. I put the damper back where it was and it was blowing cold air to refrige. side. I felt I broke something by inserting the knife in the damper shut. So damper is not closing anymore. But I didn't realize it will Jeopardize the frost free system.

When I tried to reach back of the freezer I had to unscrew the ice maker assembly and I tried to take the ice maker apart, I pulled the wire joints, I failed as it was hard to take it out by pushing the sides of wire joints. (I am suspecting here also, whether problem of loose connection. But Ice maker works good.).

Please thow some light with youe expertise.