FIXED KitchenAid Refrigerator KFIS29PBMS00 Freezer Not Cold

[joelmc]

Model Number

KFIS29PBMS00

I recently heard unusual fan noise from my refrigerator and then the freezer stopped keeping things fully frozen, like ice cream. I started troubleshooting and found that the freezer evaperator coil was completely iced up so I defrosted it and put it back together. The next morning the freezer wasn't cold at all. I assumed it was a bad evaperator fan motor or defrost thermister which are both combined in one wiring harness assemby so I decided to replace it. I also noticed the refrigerator compartment was about 45 degrees rather than 35. I checked the condensor coil motor/fan and it seems to be fine. About 3 days later I went to replace the freezer evap motor/defrost thermister I noticed the evaporator wasn't iced up, it wasn't even very cold.

I got the tech sheet and run through all of the diagnostics for cooling (service tests 1 - 7 and 32 - 39). Everything seems to pass including making the evap fan come on except in one step it says both the refrigerator evap fan and the freezer evap fan should be on and only the refrigerator evap fan is on. Does anyone have any ideas on where I should look next? Thanks.

 

[joelmc]

Could my issue be with the control board?

 

[Jake]

Hi,

Ok, so you replaced the freezer evaporator fan motor that includes the defrost thermostat?

Freezer evaporator fan motor & harness. Includes defrost thermostat:
Evaporator Fan Motor WPW10514110

I got the tech sheet and run through all of the diagnostics for cooling (service tests 1 - 7 and 32 - 39). Everything seems to pass including making the evap fan come on except in one step it says both the refrigerator evap fan and the freezer evap fan should be on and only the refrigerator evap fan is on.

So it must be a bad control board, since you already replaced the freezer evaporator motor.

On this model they upgraded the control board to a service kit.

This kit contains both the high voltage control board and user interface. Both parts must be replaced together. Disconnect the power before installation to reset the logic. After installation, set freezer temperature to the recommended -2 degrees Fahrenheit.

Here's the service kit for your model you can order:
W10878993 Cntrl-Elec


Jake

 

[joelmc]

Hi Jake,

Yes, that is the evaperator fan motor harness and defroster thermostat that I replaced. I have the following 3 additonal questions for you:

1> Is there anything else I should check? Currently, the refrigerator is running about 45 degrees, not as cool as it should be along with the freezer not working at all.
2> Do you think that the control board went out causing the evap fan not to run which caused the evaperator to freeze up. If so, I wonder why the freezer evap isn't getting cold now at all?
2> Given that the refrigerator is warmer than it should be and the freezer is not running at all, is it safe for me to continue to leave it plugged in and running while I wait to get the control board kit? I don't want to damage the compressor or any other components while I wait to get the parts.

Thanks for the help.

Joel Mc

 

[Jake]

Ok,

1. No, nothing else.
2. Good question, but I don't know the answer to that, buts its possible.
3. No, I'd unplug your refrigerator till the service kit arrives.

Is there no frost on the freezer evaporator coil at ALL?

Jake

 

[joelmc]

Hi Jake,

No, the evap coil was not frosted at all (after running for a couple days after I thawed it). It was only cool. It is currently unplugged and I ordered the control board kit that you recommended. I hope that fixes it!

The control board will be easy to replace as it is on the back of the unit. Can you tell me how to remove/replace the User Input panel on the front? I can't seem to find any information on how it comes out.

Thanks.

Joel Mc

 

[Jake]

Ok, because the freezer evaporator coil should have a thin layer of frost on it, but on this model you have a solenoid/valve assembly: http://www.appliancepartspros.com/whirlpool-valve-wpw10443217-ap6021466.html that operates each evaporator coil, but a bad control board can cause that solenoid/valve assembly to malfunction.

So go ahead and install the service kit first, its extremely rare for the solenoid/valve assembly to ever go bad.

Can you tell me how to remove/replace the User Input panel on the front? I can't seem to find any information on how it comes out.

The service kit comes with complete instructions to replace both parts.

Jake

 

[joelmc]

Hi Jake,

Well I installed the control board kit and ran the fridge for 6 hours and neither the refrigerator or freezer compartments even got cool. They were basically room temperature. I didn't pull off the panels to look at the evaporator coils but they couldn't have gotten very cold and the compartments stay at room temp.

I don't know what else to do other than call a Whirlpool tech to work on it. I don't think I can replace the refrigerant valve and really can't afford to just keep guessing. Thanks.

Joel Mc

 

[Jake]

Yes, then that valve is bad or you have a sealed system problem.

Have a Whirlpool tech come out.

You can send that kit back for a full refund, less shipping.

Wait, was the compressor even running after you installed that kit?

Jake

 

[joelmc]

I don't know if the compressor was running definitively but I assue so. The condensor fan was running and when I ran through the diagnostics the compressor tested ok at minimum and full speed according to the diagnostics.

 

[Jake]

Its best that you confirm the compressor is running by putting your hand on the top of the compressor to see if its warm and vibrating.

Because if its not running, then you'd need to check your inverter. While the refrigerator is in the cooling mode, the inverter and main control board voltages should be 3 to 6 VDC between the red wire and the white wire at the inverter and 120 VAC between the black wire and the white wire.

W10893917 Invrtr-Box


Jake

 

[joelmc]

Ok, thanks Jake. I'll look into it.

Joel Mc

 

[joelmc]

SOLVED!!! I had a Kitchenaid (Whirlpool) technician come out to my house to repair my refrigerator. After telling him what I had been through, he took one look (about 2 minutes) at it and said "You have one of those early model Kitchenaid French Door refrigerators that has 2 evaporator coils. The one they used in the refrigerator compartment is aluminum and develops leaks." Sure enough, he installed a new evaporator coil and it is now cooling the refrigerator to about 34 degrees and the freezer to below zero.

 

[Jake]

Sounds good Joel, glad your back in business.

Thanks for the update!

Jake

 

[joelmc]

Thanks for all your help Jake!

Joel Mc