FIXED Kenmore 111.73025711 Bottom Freezer Refrigerator - refrigerator side will not cool properly

[jimc101]

Model Number

111.73025711

Brand

Sears Kenmore

Age

1-5 years

Hello everyone and thanks for this forum. I have had my Kenmore Bottom Freezer Refrigerator about 2 yrs. I had a problem with it about 6 months ago where there was an ever increasing hum that just got louder and louder until the noise stopped and the refrigerator side would not cool. I had a service call and he told me the coil had froze over and stopped the fan from spinning. He defrosted while he was here and everything seemed to be working again.

Last week I could hear the humming starting again and the temperature on the refrigerator side start to go up. I figured it was the same issue and defrosted the coil myself and put it back together. I monitored the temperature and it was 37 degrees on the fridge. Only a week later, the fridge side is 52 degrees, but no fan humming noise.

Any idea as to what else could cause this?

 

[rickgburton]

Sounds like a defrost problem and you're just treating the symptom by defrosting it manually. I can't get anything to come up with that model number. Be sure to read it off the tag on the machine.

 

[jimc101]

Removed the cover again and here's what I found. This is after 1 week of running after defrosted.

 

[rickgburton]

I can't get anything to come up with that model number. Be sure to read it off the tag on the machine.

Without a good model number to look it up, we're dead in the water.

 

[jimc101]

Rick, I uploaded a picture of the tag from inside the fridge. Here it is again.
Thanks

 

[rickgburton]

OK, manufactured in Korea by Daewoo, Hanshang for Sears. Finding the problem is going to be the easy part. Check the defrost heater for continuity and check the defrost sensor to see if it is open or shorted. If the heater and sensor check good, replace the control board. Defrost heater part #60128-0005503-00. Control board part #40301-0063422-04.

 

[jimc101]

I tested the defrost heater and got a reading of 62. I'm not sure how to check the defrost sensor to determine if it is open or shorted. Is the attached image the defrost sensor?

 

[rickgburton]

Is the attached image the defrost sensor?

Yes

I'm not sure how to check the defrost sensor

The thermistor is a variable resistor that changes value with temperature. The temperature-resistance values are different from manufacturer to manufacturer. If you have your tech sheet the values should be on it. Set your meter on a high ohms scale like R X 1K. If your meter shows 0 (shorted) or 1 (open), it's bad. If it shows resistance it's most likely good. Thermistors rarely fail "out of range".

 

[bigbuck]

Here you can use this service manual:

 

[rickgburton]

Awesome! Thanks bb!

 

[jimc101]

Thanks again for all your help. I have ordered the control board and fingers crossed it solves the problem.

Just out of curiosity, can a control board die a slow death and work intermittently? The reason I'm asking is could this have been the problem 6 months ago and manually defrosting it fixed it until the board malfunctioned again.

 

[rickgburton]

If it stopped defrosting 6 months ago, all you did is take the place of the control board, sensor and heater by manually defrosting it.

 

[Appliancetechy]

That might be the thermistor since the other side works. Did you get it Jim? I need one of those boards for a evaporator fan motor that isn’t working. If it wasnt the board I’d buy one of yours.

 

[jimc101]

That might be the thermistor since the other side works. Did you get it Jim? I need one of those boards for a evaporator fan motor that isn’t working. If it wasnt the board I’d buy one of yours.

I replaced the board and also the sensor and I hope I don't have to take it apart again.

 

[Appliancetechy]

I replaced the board and also the sensor and I hope I don't have to take it apart again.

all that is left is the heater so I’m sure you are done with that job. I had to order that control board which is on back order till the end of December. If you still have your old board I’d pay something for it just to get the evap fan running for my customer. I will put him on a timer to defrost the evaporator. I’m getting desperate to help him to have refrigeration. There are none available anywhere.

 

[jimc101]

I do still have it. Make me an offer.

 

[Appliancetechy]

I do still have it. Make me an offer.

25 plus shipping?

 

[cp713a]

I have this exact problem with my kenmore with the same model. Were you able to get it fix? If so, could you post your solution plz?

 

[jimc101]

I just changed out the heating element, hopefully that will do it.

 

[cp713a]

Here you can use this service manual:
Thanks for this service manual. It's very helpful.
from the inside? If so, how did you open it? Could you share?