FIXED GE side-by-side refrigerator GSS23GSKSS not cooling properly

[fluellen]

Model Number

GSS23GSKSS

Brand

GE

Age

1-5 years

Hello,

I have had this GE side-by-side refrigerator (GSS23GSKSS) for 4 years. Recently we noticed that the freezer and the fridge compartments did not seem as cold as they used to be. On checking, fridge displayed 22 degrees for freezer and in the high forties for the fridge. I cleaned out the condenser which was extremely dirty. Unplugged the fridge for a few hours in hopes of resetting the internal computer. After letting it run for 2 days, the temps are better but not good enough: the freezer fluctuates between 7 degrees at lowest and around 14 degrees; and the fridge between 38 and 41. The set points are 0 degrees and 37 degrees respectively. The displayed temperature appears to be largely correct as verified by separate thermometers.

The compressor is running almost constantly (verified by heat and vibration). The condenser fan is running. The evaporator looks very (too) frosted over, but I have verified that the defroster does come on - I actually observed it defrosting all evaporator coils. But two hours later the evaporator is covered in thick fuzzy ice again.

At this point I am stumped. What could the underlying issue be? Freon leak? Any thoughts? Many thanks in advance to the community!

Thanks,

Fluellen

 

[Jake]

Hi Fluellen, it would help us if you take a photo of your evaporator coil and attach it in your next post, I need to see the frost pattern on it.

Jake

 

[fluellen]

Thank you Jake! The first photo is the defrosting in action.

The second photo shows the usual frost pattern. Sometimes there is more frost on there than in this picture.

 

[Jake]

Ok Thanks!

Is the evaporator fan motor running? It mounts above those evaporator coils.

Are you leaving the evaporator cover off at all times? If so, you can't do that, it needs to be in place for defrost and cooling to work properly.

Jake

 

[fluellen]

Thank you. I can't visually confirm that the fan is running (seems to be behind stuff I can't get out of the way), but when I put my hand below the last row of coils, I can definitely feel an air draft.

I've had the evaporator covers off for the past 2 days to investigate. I'll put them back on to see if that changes anything. But the cooling issues predated my taking off the evaporator covers.

 

[Jake]

I've had the evaporator covers off for the past 2 days to investigate. I'll put them back on to see if that changes anything. But the cooling issues predated my taking off the evaporator covers.

Yes, put the evaporator cover back in place and see how it does.

Jake

 

[fluellen]

No improvement unfortunately. Freezer around 20 degrees, fridge high forties.

Now also the LED lighting in the freezer section is behaving strangely. Only one of the LEDs seems to come on, and only very dim. Sometimes when I open the freezer door, the LED does not come on at all. The fridge lights are behaving normally. Does this point to anything?

 

[Jake]

Now also the LED lighting in the freezer section is behaving strangely. Only one of the LEDs seems to come on, and only very dim. Sometimes when I open the freezer door, the LED does not come on at all. The fridge lights are behaving normally. Does this point to anything?

That shouldn't effect the cooling problem.

I can't visually confirm that the fan is running (seems to be behind stuff I can't get out of the way), but when I put my hand below the last row of coils, I can definitely feel an air draft.

You should be able to hear the evaporator fan motor running, are you hearing it running? Some models you have to press the door switch in to hear it running.

Jake

 

[fluellen]

Fantastic, thanks - I finally got a visual on the evaporator fan, and it was not running. But once I touched the blades lightly, it started spinning. This may have just fixed the cooling issues. I'll observe for a few days. But so far so good.

Do you know by any chance the part no for the evaporator fan, in case it stops again and I decide to replace it?

Thanks very much for your help, again!

 

[Jake]

That's it, you found the problem!

Here's the freezer(evaporator) fan motor for your model you can order:

GE WR60X10307 Evaporator Fan Motor Assembly (AP4438809) - AppliancePartsPros.com

DC powered motor comes with wiring harness., WR60X10307 / AP4438809 made by GE

click.linksynergy.com

There is a video in the part link that shows you how to replace it.

Let us know how it goes.

Jake

 

[fluellen]

Just to provide closure: I replaced the evaporator fan motor, and the fridge and freezer are now cooling properly. Thanks again for the help!

 

[Jake]

Excellent Fluellen, glad to hear the new evaporator fan motor fixed it.

Thanks for the update!

Jake