Help Installing Main Board on Maytag Refrigerator

[jcarlosfox]

Model Number

MFD2561HES

Brand

Maytag

Age

6-10 years

Hello,

Great site - thanks for the assist.

I have a Maytag Refrigerator, French Door, with the freezer on the bottom, and the water dispenser inside. The model number is: MFD2561HES, and the Serial Number is 10419386GL.

The digital display inside is frozen at "0" degrees for the Freezer, and "40" degrees for the refrigerator. None of the buttons operate. A local repair shop wanted $375 for the part, plus labor to replace the main board. Google said there was a better way, and I now have a GE Main Board, Part Number WR55X10942

The instructions are a little scary, and I am hoping you might please help me.

I can remove the old Main Board and install the new one, that is not a problem - posts here have diagrams, and I've built a few computers in my time, so the card installation looks fine.

The instructions, however, say I need to CUT the "Thermistor" wire of the J1 connector, AND cut a green wire located at the "machine compartment access panel", in a "capacitor board in the plastic housing"- where ever THAT is.

1) First off - I'm confused why a wire needs to be cut, and what in the heck a "Thermistor" is.

2) Second - I have no idea what they mean by "machine compartment access panel" - where is it? How do I find it?

3) Again, I need to cut a wire in the refrigerator interior wiring? Really? Why?

4) Some web sites I found on Google say that I need to PROGRAM MY REFRIGERATOR to tell it that there is a new card, or PROGRAM the new card so it knows what refrigerator it is installed in. Some even reference to reaching under the refrigerator for some sort of card with the "secret" information. I've found no such instruction on this site with reference to these Main Board replacement discussions. Is there something missing?

Here one site that says the Board Must be programmed:

epinions.com/msg/show_~threads/cat_id_~17/id_~13206/forum_id_~409

So - I guess I have a curiosity of why I'm cutting perfectly good wires, but really, I just need help verifying that I need to cut the wires, help finding the "machine compartment access cover", help finding the "capacitor board in the plastic housing", and finally I need to know if there is any programing to be done.

Thanks again for your help. This site will be my first place to look for help and parts.

 

[Jake]

This model you have is not made by GE its a Maytag formerly made by Amana.

That GE motherboard you have won't even go in this model.

This is your control board here:
User Control and Display Board WPW10207861


It goes inside the refrigerator section in the upper temp. control console, its #5 here: Controls parts for Maytag MFD2561HES

Jake

 

[jcarlosfox]

Well - there you go! Thanks. I had already done more research today and figured out I probably bought the wrong card - and since I bought it on ebay - I'm stuck with the wrong card, and I need to buy a ANOTHER card.

The cheap repair just got expensive.

Live and learn - and next time, I'll be asking HERE, and buying from you guys too - had I done that the first time, I wouldn't be stuck with the wrong part.

Thanks for your help!

 

[jcarlosfox]

FOLLOW UP QUESTION: In looking at the diagram above, and the refrigerator itself, I don't see any reference as to screws to remove, or how to tear that part of the refrigerator down to get access to the card. Could you give me some insight?

Thanks again!

 

[Jake]

#2(from the parts diagram above) just snaps in place, just unsnap it in the front with a flathead screwdriver.

Yes, thats why I never recommend anyone buying parts from ebay.

Jake

 

[jcarlosfox]

Well.....are the any more ideas?

I've replaced the above pictured part, and the push button controls are still not working. The temperature reading appears to be working - it started at 68 degrees and is headed down in the refrigerator - but pushing the buttons to set the temperature are still not working.

Now, it's only been a few minutes so I am wondering if it is simply taking the refrigerator down to the "initial setting" - and then the buttons will work, or is there another controller card? Or did I buy a bad controller card?

Or - do I need to replace the BUTTONS? (Part #12 in the diagram above) or, do I need to replace the other circuit board - your part #1515036?

I know that this is limited information - so, any ideas or places to look are certainly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Jake]

Where did you purchase the board from? The link above I posted to it?

Yes, then you will need to replace the button keypad assembly as well:
Touchpad WPY67005640


Jake

 

[jeff1]

Hi,

We find the fluff boards in the control don't do much. The real control board is at the back bottom beside the compressor.

High voltage control board

#21...

View attachment 33046

jeff.

 

[jcarlosfox]

OK - well, now I don't know what to replace! The keypad, as suggested by Jake, or the Control Board as suggested by Jeff.

FYI - the filtered water does not appear to be working. I thought it might be because the water was frozen due to the cold interior temperature of the refrigerator - but, now - WHO KNOWS!

So - any ideas, or should I just replace both?

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help.

 

[jeff1]

We have had to replace a couple display and key panals before and on most ( not 100% all, just most ) we had to go back and do the HV board as well! ( POS ).

JMO, do both.

the filtered water does not appear to be working. I thought it might be because the water was frozen due to the cold interior temperature of the refrigerator

Tank/reservoir will freeze. A hair drier can help ( careful of the plastic stuff! ).

jeff.