FIXED KRMF706ESS01 KitchenAid Refrigerator not cooling properly, ice build up

[srrepaka]

Model Number

KRMF706ESS01

Brand

KitchenAid

Age

1-5 years

Hi,

Our refrigerator Kitchen Aid KRMF706ESS01 is not cooling properly. I tested the temperature and it's around 60 F but the freezer seems to be fine.
I had a repair person come and check. He initially said the fan was not working and when we looked around the fan, there's a lot of ice build-up. So we had to shut off the refrigerator for 24 hrs so the ice melts. But the repair person noticed it's too complicated to get to the fan and honestly gave up (did not charge as well). He asked to call KitchenAid and I know that would be really expensive.
After the ice melted out, the fan seems to be working fine (air coming out of the vent on top) and the temperature is around 45 F. This occasional working of the refrigerator is happening for a month now, so would really appreciate any advice. I actually bought a Fan myself online, so I have the part. Not sure if that's the issue.

 

[Jake]

Did you see my post reply from June 3rd here:

KRMF706ESS01 KitchenAid Refrigerator not cooling (freezer working fine)

Hi, Our refrigerator Kitchen Aid KRMF706ESS01 is not cooling. I tested the temperature and it's around 59 F but the freezer seems to be fine. I tried to look upon how to diagnose the problem but could not. I really appreciate any help. thanks.

www.applianceblog.com

How come you didn't come back when I tried to help you then?

Jake

 

[srrepaka]

Did you see my post reply from June 3rd here:

KRMF706ESS01 KitchenAid Refrigerator not cooling (freezer working fine)

Hi, Our refrigerator Kitchen Aid KRMF706ESS01 is not cooling. I tested the temperature and it's around 59 F but the freezer seems to be fine. I tried to look upon how to diagnose the problem but could not. I really appreciate any help. thanks.

www.applianceblog.com

How come you didn't come back when I tried to help you then?

Jake

Sorry Jake, somehow missed your response to the previous one. Does the same fix apply here?

 

[Jake]

Yes, it does.

Jake

 

[srrepaka]

The fan seems to be working once the ice melted. Is the ice forming around the fan because of it not working properly? Should replace the fan fix the issue?

 

[Jake]

That's usually the case, the fan running intermittently.

After the ice melted out, the fan seems to be working fine (air coming out of the vent on top) and the temperature is around 45 F.

But you may have another problem, because it should be getting down below 40 when the fan is running. Normal refrigerator temps should ALWAYS be between 36-40 degrees.

You will need to access the fan and look at the evaporator coil and take a photo of it too and upload it here. I posted the instructions to access that fan motor in the other thread.

Actually they made a video of how to access the fan motor now. Click the link to the fan motor below and you will see a video of HOW TO access it.

Here's the FRESH FOOD EVAPORATOR FAN MOTOR for your model:
Evaporator Fan Motor W11087438


Jake

 

[srrepaka]

I called in some repair person to diagnose since the whole thing is a little complicated in the video, didn't want to take chance. I have to show the repair person the video and explain him. In the end, he could not figure out the exact problem but pointed to something here. Here are the snaps i took. the fan connector to the control panel which is from behind seems to be rusted or something, so he thinks that could be the issue. Attached are the pics. sorry for the late reply.

 

[Jake]

I see the problem in your 2nd photo, the thermistor needs to be moved, there is a service bulletin about that and it shows you where to move it to.

Here's that service bulletin: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DODVPeuBL5dtcR_pWdDxpfFPOaVCH53Y/view?usp=sharing

Yes, that connector looks very bad too. The tech will need to cut it off and direct wire it.

Jake

 

[srrepaka]

thanks for your help. I had 2 guys come and check this, one gave up since the removal of this is too complicated, the other opened after I showed the video, but has no idea what he is doing.

Anyway, I would like to give it a shot this time. How do I direct wire it? Can you give me some instructions?

 

[Jake]

Post a photo of where that burnt connector plugs into, I need to see it.

Jake

 

[srrepaka]

I don't have an exact pic of the ones above. will take some time to open the fridge up again.
the burnt connector is the one connecting the evaporator fan to something that's coming from the fridge behind. I assume its the control board behind.

 

[Jake]

Ok, you will need this tool:
Wire Splicing Tool 959


Watch this video below:

Jake

 

[srrepaka]

Hi Jake, I was actually asking about which wires to connect. I assume you could connect them in the order they are connected to the pin connector. Correct?

 

[Jake]

Yes, by color code.

Jake

 

[Refridge Novice]

Hi Jake & Srrepaka:

Interesting thread, especially since I am having the same issue in my 3 year old Kitchenaid Model KRFF507HBS. A very knowledgeable tech came recently and melted away all that ice and even told me about that Service Bulletin, but never moved the Thremistor to "optimize" it (the door seals were fine). Instead, he recommended to spend $550 for a kit to "Replace control board, heater, evaporator cover, drain pan and sensors." When I later asked why he had not "optimized" the location of the Thermistor while he was in there, he said it would not have worked because the "plastic drain pain warps from the cold and it clogs and then the ice builds up and the sensor does not know what to do." Call me old fashioned but I am suspicious. He said he buys this replacement kit from Kitchenaid but does not know if they are making the drain pan out of the same plastic that warps in the cold.

So not sure what to do but leaning to a new fridge. The tech said stay away from anything with two evaporators, as that is where he sees most problems and they last no more than six years total in his view. Any thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks,

Novice

 

[Jake]

Instead, he recommended to spend $550 for a kit to "Replace control board, heater, evaporator cover, drain pan and sensors."

LOL, That's funny the tech would say that, the service bulletin does NOT say you need that kit.

Just move the thermistor where it says and shows you where to move it too.

Jake

 

[srrepaka]

Hi Jake, I moved the thermistor but when looked at the wires on the connector the colors are not matching. Can i connect the left top to left top, left bottom to left bottom and so on? Thought of doing it, but afraid of a short circuit, so wanted to check first. Here are some more pics (each connector both sides).

 

[Jake]

Ok, yes I see what you mean, I don't know what else to tell you to do, just match each wire placement in each connector if the colors are not matching.

Jake

 

[srrepaka]

another quick question. After connecting the wires directly, can I turn on the fridge without connecting all other wires (disconnected as part of removing all the parts) to test the fan? Its a hassle to put all the things and finding out the fan isn't working.

 

[Jake]

I don't know if you can do that or not, you can try and see what happens.

Jake