KRMF706EBS01 Kitchenaid 5 door Refrigerator - RC and FC not cooling

[rambobat]

Model Number

KRMF706EBS01

Brand

KitchenAid

Age

1-5 years

Hello, I've been struggling with our fridge over the last week and have been searching through these forums and others to try to diagnose the issue.

Over the last few months, we've had issues with water leaking/pooling in the middle drawers (left one to be specific). About a week ago, I noticed our ice maker stopped producing ice. Then I noticed it was because our RC and FC were not cold enough. The RC was about 52F and FC 35F when measured with an IR gun.
I first inspected the RC evap coil and it was partially frozen on the top right (near the thermistor). I noticed the thermistor was not correctly positioned and corrected its position per the official service pointer document from KitchenAid/Whirlpool.
Put it back together and still have the same issue.

Then checked the FC evap coil. It was not frozen over, although it likely defrosted over the week with the FC being in the 35F range. Performed service test 38 and confirmed the defroster heats up. Closed it back up and let it run for 12 hours. Checked the FC evap coil again and no frost pattern. It was only cool with some water droplets on the copper piping. Also when I guess this strange pattern on the roof of the FC when I power it on for a few hours. I assume this is the layout of the refrigerant line?

Some things I found and tested:

1. Condenser coils were coated from the front side of the fridge with pet hair/dust. This has been cleaned.
2. Condenser fan, RC fan, and FC fan all run.
3. Compressor runs, light vibration, warm to touch. Runs nonstop from what I can tell.
4. Condenser coils are all cold to touch. Tried feeling for oily residue in case of refrigerant leak, but very little access and thus couldn't feel/see residue.
5. All drains are functional and clean (FC evap drain, RC evap drain, and S drain below fridge)
6. All thermistor service tests pass. (Service test 1, 2, 6, 37, 65, 77)
7. All fans run correctly during Service Test 3 and Service Test 4
8. Service test 56 = E0
9. Service test 66 = E0

Given all the tests above, my thoughts are that I have some how lost refrigerant. It would explain the cool but not cold air. Also given that all fans run during service tests and randomly on their own, I assume the board is fine?


Thanks for reading, hopefully a solution can be found!

 

[rambobat]

Something to add, although I don't believe it plays a role here - top LED lights of the RC are essentially out. I see the LED is lit, although just barely and there is essentially no light output from those. The freezer light is also out.
These have been out for some time now and I never got around to replacing them.

 

[Jake]

Compressor runs, light vibration, warm to touch. Runs nonstop from what I can tell.

That indicates a sealed system problem, per your photos of the evaporator coil as well.

Check your owners manual warranty, most have up to a 5 year warranty on the sealed system/compressor.

You can contact KitchenAid to come out at 800-422-1230 to fix the sealed system/compressor.

 

[rambobat]

Thanks Jake, that's really what I'm thinking too. I just made an appointment through KitchenAid. Do you have any idea if they require proof of purchase or a receipt for the warranty to be honored? I imagine most people would have lost the receipt after many years (like myself). Shouldn't they be able to determine date of purchase through the model and serial number?

 

[Jake]

Shouldn't they be able to determine date of purchase through the model and serial number?

Yes, the date it was made is in the serial number.