FIXED Amana Fridge BFR20TW hole inside cabinet?? Causes freezing.

[Nero69]

Model Number

BRF20TW

Brand

Amana

Age

More than 10 years

The Amana refrigerator model # is BRF20TW. Mfg’d in 1996. The freezer is on the bottom.

This fridge was given to me by a friend who kept it in his garage and haven't used it for many years. Currently, the refrigerator cabinet is too cold and I need to leave it on setting "1" (warmest setting to keep it around 36 degrees and setting "2" on freezer for about 10 degrees. If I adjust the settings to the middle (setting 3, the fridge cabinet becomes too cold, about 30 degrees. I noticed there is an open hole on the inside, back wall of the fridge cabinet. There is cold air coming out from the hole. QUESTION: should there be a cap covering this hole?

FYI, I called Whirlpool support and they could not offer any help. The only info they had was the owners manual and didn't mention anything. I also checked parts diagrams online and couldn't find anything about this hole.

Attached are the pics showing a hole in the inside back wall of the Amana fridge cabinet. Pic 2 has duct tape over the hole.

Now if I put a piece of tape over this hole (pic 2), the temp is perfect, setting “3” at 38 degrees and freezer at setting “3” at 0 degrees. Freezer is on the bottom.

What’s also odd is this hole is almost aligned with the plastic molded shelf holders on the back side of the inside fridge cabinet (pic 3). The hole is ½ inch diameter.

Let me know your thoughts on what this “hole” may be used for. It doesn’t look like a vent because it doesn’t have any fins on it like a vent would have. I’m wondering if a cap should be on this hole?

Many thanks!

 

[jeff1]

Hi,

Hole was likely for a 7 day meat keeper crisper. Freezer temp air would be blown into/around this crisper making it colder than the fresh food section but not as cold as the freezer section.
If it is giving issues, just leave the tape over the hole.

I need to leave it on setting "1" (warmest setting to keep it around 36 degrees and setting "2" on freezer for about 10 degrees.

FZ temp is too warm. Should be closer to 0ºF. If the freezer cannot get cold enough because of an weak refrigeration system the refrigerator will keep running trying to satisfy the freezer temp and accidentally make the fresh food section too cold = likely old age.
Doing system repairs would be BIG$!

jeff sr.

 

[Dan O.]

the refrigerator cabinet is too cold and I need to leave it on setting "1" (

That model uses a thermostatically controlled air damper to maintain the correct temperature in the refrigerator compartment. That damper is quite possibly malfunctioning. There might be a slim chance the damper is just jammed open with ice, etc., preventing proper control. Someone should actually inspect it just in case it is something obvious. (It's mounted behind the knob.)

If it is instead defective it might need to be replaced. Unfortunately it is discontinued and a new one is no longer available to purchase.


LINK > Damper Control Assembly R0161050


If it is definitely needed and you can't find old stock of a new part anywhere to purchase, I did see that there is a used one currently available here:

LINK > Used Amana/Kenmore R0161050 Damper Asm.


Dan O.

 

[Nero69]

Hi,

Hole was likely for a 7 day meat keeper crisper. Freezer temp air would be blown into/around this crisper making it colder than the fresh food section but not as cold as the freezer section.
If it is giving issues, just leave the tape over the hole.



FZ temp is too warm. Should be closer to 0ºF. If the freezer cannot get cold enough because of an weak refrigeration system the refrigerator will keep running trying to satisfy the freezer temp and accidentally make the fresh food section too cold = likely old age.
Doing system repairs would be BIG$!

jeff sr.

Hi Jeff, thanks for your reply. You're absolutely correct. I had not put back in any shelves yet and from your info. noticed one of the bins has an oval ring in the back that fits perfectly where that hole in the back cabinet. You're correct, it's for the meat crisper bin.

I put in all the shelves and will now test the fridge temp again.

Thanks for your help!

Best,

Chris

 

[Nero69]

That model uses a thermostatically controlled air damper to maintain the correct temperature in the refrigerator compartment. That damper is quite possibly malfunctioning. There might be a slim chance the damper is just jammed open with ice, etc., preventing proper control. Someone should actually inspect it just in case it is something obvious. (It's mounted behind the knob.)

If it is instead defective it might need to be replaced. Unfortunately it is discontinued and a new one is no longer available to purchase.

View attachment 66093
LINK > Damper Control Assembly R0161050


If it is definitely needed and you can't find old stock of a new part anywhere to purchase, I did see that there is a used one currently available here:

LINK > Used Amana/Kenmore R0161050 Damper Asm.


Dan O.

Thanks Dan! I'll run a test on the damper to see if it's ok. Thanks also for the eBay link!

Best,

Chris

 

[jeff1]

Your welcome, keep us posted

jeff sr.