KitchenAid refrigerator runs noisy/loud (Model KRFF507ESS)

[CruiserML]

Our brand new (installed 11/13/2015) KitchenAid refrigerator runs noisy/loud (Model KRFF507ESS). I called KitchenAid Customer Warranty within 72 hours and they sent me the below link, telling me this is usual and customary noise for a refrigerator. I have NEVER heard a refrigerator this noisy on any showroom nor in anyone's home. They are refusing to send someone out to assist with this noise issue. Has anyone run into this problem and, if so, what did you do? This is interfering with the peaceful enjoyment of our home.

Link received from KitchenAid Warranty and referred to in the above message: Compressor Running - YouTube

The appliance store where I purchased the refrigerator performed a diagnostic and stated all the noises are normal. I'm having a hard time living in the space with a refrigerator this loud. What do people do? This is my first experience with a loud/noisy refrigerator. I thought I could depend on KitchenAid, but it appears I was wrong.

 

[rickgburton]

I would like to hear it. Is it possible for you to make a 3 or 4 minute video and upload it to youtube then post the link here? Let's see what the techs say on this site.

If it is possible, stand about 6' away. Use a couple minutes to walk from the left side to the right side. Record about 30 seconds in front of the FF section with the door open.

 

[CruiserML]

I would like to hear it. Is it possible for you to make a 3 or 4 minute video and upload it to youtube then post the link here? Let's see what the techs say on this site.

If it is possible, stand about 6' away. Use a couple minutes to walk from the left side to the right side. Record about 30 seconds in front of the FF section with the door open.

I had uploaded a video on You Tube at this location: New KitchenAid Refrigerator KRFF507ESS is Noisy/Loud - YouTube. It does not meet your specifications, and perhaps I can get a better video for you at another time.

 

[rickgburton]

OK, I'll ask the other techs to listen to it and get their opinion. What brand and style was your last refrigerator?

[video=youtube_share;7VDmzx3Yb-g]https://youtu.be/7VDmzx3Yb-g[/video]

 

[bigbuck]

Thats a hard one to call, but refrigerator fan seems noisy,but these new over engineer refrigerators can be noisy.Would have them look at it for sure.Here is a service pointer.To me if there is a service pointer they must know something is wrong or have a lot of complaints. Even though that pointer says something about compressor don't have them replace that as this would open a can of worms.Also in a showroom they have it were the compressor and fans are off and just the lights are on.Very quiet that way.

 

[Jake]

Hi,

That sounds about normal to me, yes I agree the fan seems a little nosily like bigbuck mentioned, but its likely a DC motor and those sound like that when its running, but I can't even hear your compressor which is a good sign, because years ago they were noisy more than the fan.

Jake

 

[jeff1]

Didn't hear anything until the camera was put right in front of the air vent.
With the doors closed I heard nothing.
I heard nothing terrible anywhere at any other time.

JMO!

jeff.

 

[rickgburton]

I agree with you guys. Thanks for listening. It sounds normal until in the freezer with the door open. I believe it was too close to the vent and amplifies the sound. The evaporator motor is a variable DC motor and they are a little louder. I had a loud GE SXS that had a similar sound from the evaporator motor because the wire harness was right under the fan blades causing the air to "whistle" through the wires. Might be worth checking. Of course jeff and I can't hear anything, we're old blind and deaf lol

 

[CruiserML]

OK, I'll ask the other techs to listen to it and get their opinion. What brand and style was your last refrigerator?

Thank all of you, so very much, for your comments. Our previous refrigerator was GE Profile French Door with Freezer on Bottom; Model: PFSS5PJY/PFSF5PJY; 25.1; MN PFSS5PJYC SS.
Our current KitchenAid is also French Door with Freezer on the Bottom. I don't know quite what to think or do. The constant noise is literally disturbing, causing feelings of anxiety. I know that sounds crazy. Not to mention it wakes me up and I haven't slept since it arrived. I keep hoping it will eventually become "white noise" and I won't mind.
I'll try to get a better video for you and upload. Also, am asking around about sound deadening options. I'm having a hard time thinking all refrigerators will be this loud from here on out. I'd be happy to trade this for an inferior, quiet model just to get some peace and quiet back in the house.
Sorry to sound like such a complainer. I realize there are much more important things in this world, but this is truly disturbing the peaceful enjoyment of my home.
Thanks again!

 

[rickgburton]

All the noise you hear is from the evaporator fan in the FF section. That machine uses an inverter compressor. They are extremely quiet. Most of the time if I want to know if an inverter compressor is running I need to unplug the machine and put my hand on the compressor and feel for the vibration when I plug it in. The DC condensor motor next to the compressor is also a very quiet motor. I then looked up the evaporator fan motor for the freezer and it too is a 12VDC motor and similar to the FF evaporator fan motor. The two evaporator fan motors should sound almost identical. At this point I would say the FF fan motor should be replaced along with the fan blade. The plastic fan blade could be deformed or hitting something like a wire or it could have moved up or down on the motor shaft. We all think the only thing that might be a little loud is that fan motor.

 

[CruiserML]

All the noise you hear is from the evaporator fan in the FF section. That machine uses an inverter compressor. They are extremely quiet. Most of the time if I want to know if an inverter compressor is running I need to unplug the machine and put my hand on the compressor and feel for the vibration when I plug it in. The DC condensor motor next to the compressor is also a very quiet motor. I then looked up the evaporator fan motor for the freezer and it too is a 12VDC motor and similar to the FF evaporator fan motor. The two evaporator fan motors should sound almost identical. At this point I would say the FF fan motor should be replaced along with the fan blade. The plastic fan blade could be deformed or hitting something like a wire or it could have moved up or down on the motor shaft. We all think the only thing that might be a little loud is that fan motor.

Is the "FF section" that you refer to the fresh food section (and not the frozen food section)?
Since the Whirlpool Service Technician stated that the noises are all normal when they ran their diagnostic test, is my recourse to let the appliance seller know what you've recommended and see if they will comply? Other advice?
Thank you!
Mary

 

[rickgburton]

Correct, FF is my abbreviation for fresh food and FZ is freezer. Whirlpool won't care what anyone else thinks. It sounds like the fan is louder than it should be. However, just by listening to the video, it's difficult to tell for sure. You can probably get them to change the fan motor but it may not make any difference in the noise. However, that's the worst case scenario. That machine is a big investment and you want to protect your investment so be a little creative. When I listen to the video I can barely hear the motor with the door closed. I hear it when you open the door and I can hear it very well when you move the camera close to the vent because the sound is amplified when you move the camera closer to the vent. I listened to it at that spot a bunch of times and it sounds like the outside edge of one of the fan blades is barely hitting one spot on the fan shroud. It also sounds like a vacuum cleaner or dust buster. So if I was going to call someone to look at it I would probably describe the noise as; The fan motor in the FF section is making a noise. Sometimes I can barely hear it and sometimes it gets loud other times it sounds like my vacuum cleaner. It comes and goes and sometimes it makes the noise for a long time. They will come and change it. Remember what I said, they can change it but it may not make a difference. I'm just throwing around ideas here that's all.

 

[wildimaginations]

The fan is too noisy but I can't tell which one. There are 2 of them in the refrigerator. One is for the evaporator fan motor and the other is for the ice room fan.

The evaporator fan motor is W10633627. Location #24

The ice room fan motor is W10667566. Location #28

If there is a way to shut off the ice room fan, that will help in determining which motor needs to be checked out and replaced. My guess would be the evaporator fan motor.