Frigidaire Fridge FGRU19F6QFD not holding temp - Freezing food

[BenKayfetz]

Model Number

FGRU19F6QFD

Brand

Frigidaire

Age

1-5 years

Hi All,

The fridge is about 2 years old. From the first month of ownership we noticed that fruits and vegetables were showing slight signs of freezing. The best example is the cucumbers, although not frozen, would look slightly transparent when cut open. As if they were frozen at some point.

I placed a digital thermostat in the fridge and checked it regularly throughout the day. It seemed to read within a few degrees of the set temperature. Since then, till a few weeks ago, we kept tossing out food, always wondering why this was happening. Well into the hundreds of dollars worth of food.

More recently I got my hand on a digital temperature logger. I set it to take a reading every 1 minute and placed it in the fridge for about 10 days while we were on vacation. That's when I was surprised to find out that the fridge is spending about 50% of the time at below freezing.

See attached temp logger report...

I think I've narrowed it down to either the "ELECTRICAL CONTROL, ASSEMBLY 5304497786" or "Frigidaire Refrigerator Thermistor 297110400"

Any thoughts or suggestion are appreciated !!

TIA!

Ben

 

[Dan O.]

Where are you measuring that temperature? If in direct air flow, that air flow will be colder whenever the compressor runs.

The control system is designed to maintain an average food temperature. We simulate 'food temperature' by putting a glass or jar of water on a middle shelf and measuring that water's temperature. It should be a reasonable representation of actual food temperature. Try measuring that to see the results.


Dan O.

 

[BenKayfetz]

Where are you measuring that temperature?

The results shown in PDF I attached to the op was run while I was out of town for 10 days. However, before that I ran the temperature logger for several 24-hour sessions in multiple locations throughout the fridge and the results were all very similar.

There isn't any question whether the fridge is operating outside of specifications, it absolutely is. The question is which part is, which part is defective and needs to be replaced.

 

[Dan O.]

You still didn't answer the question where were you measuring that temperature?

which part is defective and needs to be replaced.

Measure the thermistor's resistance. According to the information I have it should measure 35.6K ohms at 32 deg. F. If it is drastically different try replacing it. If it is close, you can try replacing the control.

LINK > FGRU19F6QFD Thermistor 297110400

LINK > FGRU19F6QFD Electronic Control 5304497786 (no photo)


Dan O.

 

[BenKayfetz]

I tapped into the thermistor wires with an extension so I could monitor it from outside the fridge. Then I set up a wireless thermostat so I could document the fridge temperature at the same time. Then I spot checked it over about a 24 hour period.

Here are the results (Photos attached)

-4.8° C - 52.0k
-3.2°C - 55.0k
+0.9° C - 54.1k
+1.1° C - 54.4k
+3.0 °C - 55.8k
+4.1°C - 56.1k

Based on "it should measure 35.6K ohms at 32 deg. F" (or 0°C) it seems pretty far out.

 

[Dan O.]

Based on "it should measure 35.6K ohms at 32 deg. F" (or 0°C) it seems pretty far out.

Yes, however I would expect the temperature to be greatly out as well which is not what you reported.

Just a note: I do not have the manufacturer's specifications for that part. I was going by what other technicians reported the value for it should be. I can not verify them.

PS. I did notice that these readings seem incongruous for the temperatures reported.



I do not know what else to suggest.

 

[bigbuck]

Part number is 297110400
Resistance of Thermistor in K- Ohms vs Temperature.

 

[Dan O.]

Thanks Bigbuck.

The chart does indeed show your thermistor readings are off. Replacing it might be a good start.


Dan O.

 

[BenKayfetz]

I replaced the thermistor yesterday at around 6pm. I did not reconnect the wire to monitor it externally in hopes that was the fix and I didn't want to open it up again just to remove the wire.

However this morning I woke up to -5c and frozen milk. So I guess that wasn't it.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but is the only other part to replace the "ELECTRICAL CONTROL, ASSEMBLY 5304497786" ?

It seems there is nothing else in the diagrams that could possibly control or affect the temperature...

 

[Dan O.]

It seems there is nothing else in the diagrams that could possibly control or affect the temperature...

I don't know of anything besides the thermistor, the control and the wiring in between. I don't know what symptoms a problem in the wiring would produce other than continual running or no cooling at all.


Dan O.

 

[BenKayfetz]

I attached the temp logger report after running it for about 24 hours. Different result, but still way below the expected range.

The "ELECTRICAL CONTROL, ASSEMBLY 5304497786" is backordered here in Canada till Nov 2023 (9 months from now). But my parent are in Florida and will pick one up and send it to me.

I will share the results when I can.

Thanks
Ben

 

[BenKayfetz]

I thought I'd share with you and whoever finds this thread in future the results of running my temperature logger in the matching freezer. I ran it several location in the freezer and all the results matched.

I also ran the logger in my $199.00 Haier bar fridge with the knob set to 4 and attached those results.

It gives you an idea of how the graph should look when run in the Frigidaire FGRU19F6QFD.

See attached PDFs

Ben

 

[BenKayfetz]

Okay, so I got and swapped out the "ELECTRICAL CONTROL ASSEMBLY 5304497786" and ran my temp logger for over 24 hours on the middle of the middle shelf and the results are pretty much the same. Still sitting below freezing most of the time.

See attached PDF.

I changed both the thermistor and control assembly ($300 later)...

Any other suggestions?

Thank you,
Ben

 

[Dan O.]

Those are the only two things that control the running of the compressor and thus the temperature it will reach. There are lots of things that could cause reduced cooling but few that would cause excess cooling.

Is there anything hampering air flow around the sensor which might cause it to sense an improper temperature for the control to then act upon? Is there any heat sources near the therminstor which might cause it to sense an improper temperature for the control to act upon?

I have no other idea. Sorry.

Dan O.

 

[Anatoly]

Hi Ben,
I have the same problem with my FPRU19F8RFE. Food is freezing. Temperature is going under zero.
I checked my thermistor and the values are in plus minus 5% of nominal. Control assembly (5304497786 ) is not available to order. But after you replaced yours and it didn't help, I doubt if in my case replacement of control assembly will fix it.
In my fridge defrost is working every 12H as per settings. Defrost vent is working.
If you have any progress with your repair please let me know what was the issue.
Thanks

 

[BenKayfetz]

A few days ago I spoke to a local Frigidaire repair guy who was also baffled about this. He suggested I get my hands on a Frigidaire brand thermistor. The last one I tried was a Amazon "equivalent" replacement. I just installed the Frigidaire version this afternoon. I'll report the results in the next day or two.

 

[Anatoly]

Thank you Ben. Will wait for your update.
I replaced thermistor with a new one. Still same problem. It looks like control unit doesn't cut the power to compressor when the temperature rich the settings and the temperature goes down till the next defrost cycle after 12 hours.
I cannot proof that the control unit is bad because control unit is not available anywhere, even Frigidaire doesn't have it.

 

[BenKayfetz]

I give up!

I replaced the thermistor with an aftermarket one, then replaced it again with an original Frigidaire part. And I replaced the Control assembly (5304497786).

The results have not changed. See the attached before and after PDF log reports and compare them. On the "after" report the temp goes a but above 5° C on Sat Mar 26 because we had about 25 people over for a celebration that day and spikes because the logger was removed from the fridge for a few moments. Other than that, the before and after are pretty much the same.

I think this fridge model is defective. Not just mine, but all fridges with the same model #. I am no appliance expert, but I have been working with electronics and technology most of my life. The control assembly and the thermistor are the only two things that can control the temperature in this fridge. If the OEM replacement parts do not correct the problem, then it is likely that the replacement parts have the same flaw as the original parts.

I am going to call Frigidaire and have them send in one of their authorized techs. They will probably charge me a small fortune and not fix the problem.

The only other option is buying a new fridge!

Ben

 

[Anatoly]

I ordered a new Control Assembly from Frigidaire. It will come in 7-10 business days. Once I install the unit I will let you know if this fixed the fridge.

Per my understanding, Control Assembly is monitoring resistance change of thermistor and disconnects the power to the compressor when the temp reaches the set point. Because the thermistor is a very simple device and can be measured per chart, I assume this is a Control Assembly failure. Wire harness I checked from the thermistor to the CA. Other than that I don't know what can be a problem.
The next step is to buy a new fridge. BTW the same fridge now costs double the price than I bought 4 years ago.

 

[Joef74]

I give up!

I replaced the thermistor with an aftermarket one, then replaced it again with an original Frigidaire part. And I replaced the Control assembly (5304497786).

The results have not changed. See the attached before and after PDF log reports and compare them. On the "after" report the temp goes a but above 5° C on Sat Mar 26 because we had about 25 people over for a celebration that day and spikes because the logger was removed from the fridge for a few moments. Other than that, the before and after are pretty much the same.

I think this fridge model is defective. Not just mine, but all fridges with the same model #. I am no appliance expert, but I have been working with electronics and technology most of my life. The control assembly and the thermistor are the only two things that can control the temperature in this fridge. If the OEM replacement parts do not correct the problem, then it is likely that the replacement parts have the same flaw as the original parts.

I am going to call Frigidaire and have them send in one of their authorized techs. They will probably charge me a small fortune and not fix the problem.

The only other option is buying a new fridge!

Ben

Hi Ben,

I have same model fridge and same problem. Any luck in calling out a tech and did they bring any wisdom with them?

I changed the thermistor and no difference. Have not changed the control assembly yet?

Joe