FIXED: Whirlpool side by side hot frame, clicking, hot compressor
I am grateful that I found ApplianceBlog.com! And also grateful for Jake's input! Jake helped me narrow it down to the electronic control board. The fridge was cooling okay, but the frame was hot (especially the center divider), and the fan was clicking on and off. Jake suggested sending the control board out to be repaired because the part is obsolete.
I searched the internet some more and found a website SteveJenkins.com. He had the same exact symptoms in a fridge with this same control board. He attempted repair of the board himself. He diagnosed that he needed a Capacitor and a Fan Relay. Here is the link for
How to Fix a Whirlpool KitchenAid W10219463 / 2307028 Control Board for $6
After doing the reading, I purchased the parts from Digi-Key.com
Steve mentions a few different part numbers for the Capacitor. I chose the upgraded Capacitor that still fits (it’s taller than the original one), and it’s supposed to last the longest. On the Digi-Key website I searched for Capacitor EEU-EB1J221 which is a Panasonic. The Digi-Key part number is P13141-ND for $0.67 each. I also purchased their Fan Relay part number Z225-ND (manufacturer part G5Q-14 DC12) for $3.15. That’s a total of $3.82 total! There was tax and shipping, and I opted for 2nd day air. The parts arrived exactly on time.
I then went out and bought a soldering kit from Northern Tools. They have a website, but there is a local store. It’s an Ironton 30 watt soldering iron kit Item # 43985 for $10.00. I would recommend a stronger iron... maybe 45 watt. This one worked, but I had some trouble. I didn’t use the solder that came in the kit. I bought some solder electrical solder which contains flux at Lowes… BernzOMatic Electrical solder 3 oz lead free rosin core solder for $10.00. I watched a video How to solder a circuit board:
How To Solder Electronic Circuit Board - Yahoo Video Search Results
The video was very good, but I will have to say that desoldering the old capacitor and relay and then resoldering the new ones on were not as easy as I thought it would be. I am glad I practiced a bit first using the bottom of an old corningware baking dish and practicing dripping solder onto it.
I replaced and soldered the new capacitor and relay and re-installed the board per SteveJenkins.com instructions. I said a few prayers before, during, and as I was about to plug the fridge back in. I checked the temp and the freezer had gone up to 12° and the fridge up to 44° while I was working on the board. After plugging the fridge in I had to wait about 10 minutes before things finally kicked in and the fan started running again. NO CLICKING! After about a half hour, the fridge was back to 35° and the freezer was at 10°. During the next 30-45 minutes the fridge got back to 0°.
For anyone that is not mechanically inclined or who does not have a fair amount of patience, I would recommend sending out the board to have it repaired. You can have it done for $99.95 + shipping at Circuit Board Medics (800)547-2049. You will have to find another way to store your food while you send it out and wait for it to come back. I tried the repair myself 'cuz I didn’t want to have to pull all the food out and find a way to store it. I got lucky and the repair worked for me. But I was prepared to run to Lowe’s and pick up a small 5-7 cu ft freezer for $158.00 if the repair was a fail. Circuit Board Medics has an option to send you out a loaner board for you to use while yours gets repaired, but you have to pay $399.99 + $250.00 core charge, and they refund you the $250.00 when they get the loaner back, but that’s quite a chunk of change.
Thanks to this blog and a few other websites I was able to repair this myself in about 1 ½ hours… and I am a 59 year old female. Thanks ApplianceBlog.com and thanks Jake!
Terri
