253.44333600 Kenmore Pro Fridge Not Cooling

[bldn10]

Model Number

253.44333600

Brand

Sears Kenmore

Age

More than 10 years

I have a 13 year old Kenmore Pro side by side. The freezer is plenty cold but the fridge side will not maintain an acceptable temp. It usually varies between 45 and 55.* There is high humidity and condensation inside. I recently manually defrosted the evap coils for good measure and the fan runs.

I have even gone so far as to prop the damper door fully open. I wonder if the fan is not running all the time, as it should be w/ high fridge temp. What controls the fan? Is there a sensor in the fridge that is telling the fan to stop? I hate to replace this unit because I have the matching range and DW and they are really cool looking.

 

[Jake]

Hi, sounds like either the main control board or the evaporator fan motor is starting to go bad. The main control board sends power to the evaporator fan motor.

You can verify voltage to it--->While the compressor is running, check for 12 volts DC to the fan between red and brown wires.

Here's the evaporator fan motor for your model:
241509402 Motor




Here's the main control board for your model:
241511102 Board-Main Power

 

[bldn10]

Thanks, Jake.
Does the evap fan run ONLY when the compressor is running? Does the compressor run when EITHER the freezer or fridge side call for more cooling? Trying to understand the logic. My fridge should be always calling for cooling so, first, I assume the control board would open the damper, then start the compressor if it still needs more cooling. My freezer is at around -6* now and the fridge 46-50 w/ the damper propped open. I found an old fridge temp sensor and tried it but it made no difference. Can the freezer be that cold and the evap fan not be running? I think I'm hearing it but not much cold air coming through the damper. Bill

 

[bldn10]

Here is a video of the evap fan. Looks OK. Nothing obstructing damper so I don't know why the fridge doesn't cool.

 

[Jake]

Hi Bill,

Does the evap fan run ONLY when the compressor is running?

Yes.

Does the compressor run when EITHER the freezer or fridge side call for more cooling?

That is correct.

Yes, I see the video, I'd still check for 12 volts DC to the fan between red and brown wires, it should be constant 12 volts DC even when the fan slows down. If 12 volts DC is constant, when the fan slows down, then the fan motor is the problem.

 

[bldn10]

As the fan is running, and I assume at normal speed, that should not be the problem w/ fridge cooling unless it does not run continuously until set temp is reached. Right? I just removed everything from the freezer compartment - ice maker, shelves, and back panel - and nothing looked awry. That the evap coils were not overly frosted suggests to me that the fan is running sufficiently. If it was not drawing enough air over the coils they would freeze up, wouldn't they? It was unplugged for an hour or so and the freezer got to room temp while I had the door open; after an hour it is now at 10* and dropping. I will try to monitor the fan.

 

[Jake]

As the fan is running, and I assume at normal speed, that should not be the problem w/ fridge cooling unless it does not run continuously until set temp is reached. Right?

Yes, the fan should run continually at the fast speed and not slow down like that in your video.

If it was not drawing enough air over the coils they would freeze up, wouldn't they?

No, not necessarily.

 

[bldn10]

So sorry that Jake will not be able to help me anymore but I'm going to update this in case it is helpful to others. I see lots of posts w/ this same problem on other models.

I broke down and bought a new main board and it seems to have helped but there are still wide swings in fridge temp. I usually have it set as low as it will go. I started keeping a log of the temp each time I open the door and I have a database of 24 days. It worked pretty well the first 13 days w/ a range of 36-41. Over 46 readings there were 6 over 39*, all 41. Then all of a sudden I got a 45 w/ 85% humidity. I manually opened the damper door and the next morning it was 37. But 3 1/2 hours later it was back up to 43 then 41, 46, 50, 41. 39 all the next day then the following day 41, 39, 45, 43. Since then I've seen 3 43s, 2 45s, 1 46, and a 48. The high temps are usually accompanied by very high humidity, as much as 93%.

So I'm not sure the board was the only problem. Frustrating.

 

[Dan O.]

But 3 1/2 hours later it was back up to 43 then 41, 46, 50, 41. 39 all the next day then the following day 41, 39, 45, 43.

Did you check the damper again? Maybe it closed?

I don't know how it could happen but make sure the fan isn't running during a defrost cycle. That would periodically increase the temperature and might circulate moist air. I would think the control would have to be defective for that to occur.


Dan O.