FIXED Kitchen Aid Built-in Is Beeping - Bad ECB or Something Else?

[George1010]

Model Number

KBRC36FTS00

Hello to All -
I've searched and seen a few threads to this same effect: All is working properly, but fairly regularly I hear a steady beeping/cycling from the top section. I took the cover off, and the beeping is coming from the main board. The condenser fan cycles off every few seconds and when it cycles back on, the board beeps. This happens continuously for a while, then it's quiet and the fan spins normally. Sporadically the condition repeats, and it seems that the frequency is increasing.

I'm guessing I need a new control board, but I hate throwing expensive parts at problems without knowing why a part is failing. I saw one thread indicating a bad capacitor on the board - is this a common problem? Is the condenser fan motor failing and causing the board to fail or respond like this? Also: The board is part W10219462 - apparently discontinued! This $6,500 refrigerator has barely been in use for 5 years! What's up with that?

Can I use the same diagnostic mode noted on another thread for a "KSS" model on my KBRC to find out what's causing the beeping/clicking/switching?

I'd be grateful for any/all advice. Thanks in advance,
GK

 

[rickgburton]

Hi GK, The condensor fan motor is causing the board alarm to beep. This is the part you need:
Whirlpool W10181323 Motor-Cond - AppliancePartsPros.com

 

[George1010]

Thanks for the affirmation. I'll replace the fan first, and if the board still beeps I'll replace the board. It's good practice to replace the fan if replacing the ECB anyway, correct?

Any idea how to get this model into diagnostic mode? Holding filter reset down then holding cooling on/off down only resets the filter and turns cooling on and off...

Thanks,
GK

 

[rickgburton]

It's good practice to replace the fan if replacing the ECB anyway, correct?

No, I live by the old adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"

Any idea how to get this model into diagnostic mode?

First unplug the machine or remove power for 30 seconds. Restore power. Then while pressing the water filter reset, press and hold the power on off button for 3 seconds then release both buttons.

 

[George1010]

Update: My replacement condenser fan kit arrived, and it took all of 10 minutes to R & R. The fridge was restarted, and after it finished cycling through its startup routine, all seemed well. The new fan SEEMS to move more air, but I've no way to measure if it really does. Just a few hours later, I "heard" the bad news - the beeping persists. So once we consume enough of the chill-ables that the rest will fit into our dorm-sized backup fridge, I'll be sending the board to Corecentric for the Whirlpool-approved repair. (Start Gripe) It baffles me that Whirlpool can't stock replacement boards. The backstory that a tsunami destroyed the factory is BS - after all, they are able to continue making new boards for new refrigerators! To spend premium dollars on a premium brand product only to have to take it out of service for a week while a common part is rebuilt is nonsense. (end gripe)
GK

 

[rickgburton]

The backstory that a tsunami destroyed the factory is BS

Where did you hear that? I never heard that before. It's more likely a cost issue. There are other Whirlpool power boards similar to that one that are still available. I don't know what the story is behind that particular board but I'm sure there is one.

 

[Jake]

The backstory that a tsunami destroyed the factory is BS

Its been a rumor going around look at post#3 here: FIXED CoreCentric Solutions, has anyone used this company for re-built mother boards?

But I can't confirm it, so it may be BS like George mentioned. I actually find it hard to believe that happened as well.

Jake

 

[rickgburton]

That board had to be RFR-CCR long before 2011. I can go back to 2008 and remember they had to be rebuilt then.

 

[George1010]

That board had to be RFR-CCR long before 2011. I can go back to 2008 and remember they had to be rebuilt then.

The tsunami is probably a urban legend. Whatever the reason, it's ridiculous. This 5-year old KA fridge replaced a grimy, well-used, well-worn, energy-guzzling but still working 25-year-old Sub Zero. Probably should've cleaned-up and kept the Sub.

 

[rickgburton]

yep!

 

[George1010]

Just to close the loop on this for other users: I sent the ECB/Control Board to CoreCentric per the Whirlpool hotline's instructions, received it back in a week, installed it last night and all is working as it should be. I expressed my dismay to the KitchenAid reps that I contacted that their "KitchenAid Experience" left a lot to be desired, that specifically, a core-exchange program would be a reasonable request, particularly since they positioned and priced this refrigerator as a premium item. I was assured that my comments were recorded and categorized (so I got that going for me.) It still galls me that I spent so much $ on this thing, and 4 years later it sat there dead for a week because KA/WP doesn't support it any more.

I photographed the board before and after - one capacitor and one relay were swapped out. All in, including shipping, insurance, about $160. Gotta insure these things - if yours ends up lost, you could pay up to $1,000 for these rare unobtanium-filled items
Good luck to all fellow Whirlpool/KitchenAid/ etc. owners...
GK

 

[Nadine]

I have learned something to share with all re this KA model, and I'm surprised that there is no info on the net with regard to the factory where the Kitchen Aid (Whirlpool) were made was lost in the Tsunami in Japan, that is why there are no longer parts being made! ah ha! Now there is a reason. I have got my Kitchen Aid Refrigerator model #KBRC36FMS01 fixed! What the first technician told me was to send the control panel to corecentricsolutions in the US, I learned this does not work, at least for me anyway, they said they could not rebuild the control panel there and sent it back (3 weeks gone). Luckily for me I called Kitchen Aid Customer Satisfaction 1-800-422-1230 and they put me in touch with and sent out a work order to an appliance repair person that had some rebuilt control panels already in stock for my model (above), 2 days later he came and installed it, works perfectly now, it still cost $400 but better than putting more stuff in the landfill and having to buy a new refrigerator, as this high end model cost $$ and I'm delighted to have it working again. My advice call Kitchen Aid Customer Satisfaction 1-800-422-1230

Control Board Part Number: Manufacturer Number W10219463

 

[George1010]

I'm delighted to have mine working as well. I'm doubtful about the tsunami story - many refrigerator models originally made with this board (including mine) are still being sold. The fact is Whirlpool isn't offering an alternative. I called the same 800 number that you did, and also Emailed a Whirlpool "Digital" contact. I got replies - one included a list of sources for the part. I called each source, none had the part, and one only carried stove parts! This was my last KitchenAid purchase - there are too many alternatives for me to stick with a brand that purports to be high-end, but is really just an average appliance with a high-end price tag.

 

[rickgburton]

.....no info on the net with regard to the factory where the Kitchen Aid (Whirlpool) were made was lost in the Tsunami in Japan, that is why there are no longer parts being made!

I'm doubtful about the tsunami story - many refrigerator models originally made with this board (including mine) are still being sold

Someone made up that story about the tsunami (maybe Whirlpool..LOL) and I haven't seen one of those boards (that needs to be rebuilt) in a refrigerator for a couple years now. The new machines have a board but it's replaceable. These control boards are out of Whirlpool/Kitchen Aid refrigerators but only one needs to be rebuilt:

 

[George1010]

I'm sure the tsunami has been used to explain a lot of things!

 

[Econo Appliance]

W10219463

I'm sure the tsunami has been used to explain a lot of things!

I heard the tsunami/factory rumor from one of my parts suppliers over a year ago... I always wondered if it had any merit to it. This control board is causing a lot of people headaches. I even had one angry customer who didn't believe me, accused me of lying about parts availability because of how ridiculous the tsunami story is!

Well, Whirlpool has finally openly admitted on their wholesale/distributor site that the lack of availability is "DUE TO ONGOING TSUNAMI ISSUES [...] WE ARE NOT ABLE TO PROCESS ORDERS AT THIS TIME. IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE AWARE THE PART COULD HAVE SIGNIFICANT LEAD TIME AND/OR NO ETA."

Sending for repair has proven to be a headache too, 1 of every 5 "repaired" boards comes back defective....