FIXED My Kenmore 363.77962790 stopped running after 26 years of perfect service!

[26years]

Hello Dan,
I've had some success. I reassembled the defrost and temp control units after testing and the fans and compressor started up when I plugged the fridge in.

I set the defrost control timer to the start of the next cooling cycle and marked it so I can follow the timer. The cooling cycle is 15 hrs with 44 min defrost.

I started it up 7 hours ago and the timer is about half way around so that is good.

The freezer cooled down to -15C and the fresh food compartment cooled down to 5C and then the compressor and fans turned off.

BUT they did not come back on as the fridge warmed up to near room temp. over 2 hours.

So I turned the temp dial on the thermostat OFF and then on to position 9 and the compressor and fans came back on until the freezer and fresh food compartments cooled back down to their proper temperatures. I opened all the doors to warm up the interior but again the compressor did not come back on over 2 hours until I cycled the temp dial to OFF and then 9.

Do you have any suggestions here? I checked the continuity of the thermostat through all settings and it was ok ( open at OFF and closed for all numbers 1 through 9).

Thanks as always.
Howard
Owen Sound, Ontario

 

[Dan O.]

I checked the continuity of the thermostat through all settings and it was ok

Its contacts would need to be tested when the problem was occurring not after fiddling with the control knob, etc. That's the only way to know what it is doing at that time.

IMO the thermostat # WR9X559 is not resetting on its own and is likely defective and needs to be replaced. Unfortunately it is discontinued and NLA. I don't know where you'll find a replacement.


Dan O.

 

[Dan O.]

I don't know where you'll find a replacement.

I spoke too soon. I found a new/old stock one for sale. You'll have to check with them though as they may not ship to Canada.

LINK > WR9X559 Cold Control


Dan O.

 

[26years]

Hello Dan,
I wrote the seller and he agreed to make the thermostat available for shipment to Canads on eBay so I just ordered it. Thanks so much again for your help.
I also ordered a spare defrost control just to have handy if it ever stops working but right now it is ok.

I did check the thermostat when the problem was occuring as you suggested. The thermostat was open on all dial settings except one which I had to "tune" very carefully to get a continuity reading which then energized the compressor and fans. But if I "tuned" away from it the compressor/fans turned off and the circuit was open. I could not get it back unless I turned it OFF and waited a few minutes. So it will be nice to have a new one! Thanks.

My wife is tired of using the garage as the fridge so I removed the thermostat and connected the contacts together and put the power cord on a wall timer set for 2 hours on and 1 hour off. I know that is not a good thing to do but it is only temporary until the new unit arrives. The defrost control has gone through 2 15-hour cycles now and works ok.

Thanks again for your patience and time. We were not prepared to spend over $1000 for a new fridge or the $250. service call just to tell me I needed a new thermostat which is NLA!

I didn't think I could learn a new skill at 73 so this has been a good experience.

All the best
Howard

 

[Dan O.]

Let us know how it turns out.


Dan O.

 

[26years]

I guess my original problem where the compressor was coming on and off every few seconds was caused by the intermittency of the thermostat continuity. I'm lucky it didn't damage the compressor.

 

[Dan O.]

I guess my original problem where the compressor was coming on and off every few seconds was caused by the intermittency of the thermostat continuity.

I've never hear of such a case. IF the thermostat was causing it, it would have affected operation the fans at the same time. They're all connected together.

About the only thing the thermostat could have done to affect compressor operation is powering it again too soon after shutting down. The compressor needs to be off several minutes before it will restart properly. By your description, turning ON the compressor wasn't what the thermostat was attempting, rather the opposite.


Dan O.

 

[26years]

Yes - the fans AND the compressor were coming on and off every few seconds. It was like someone was flipping a light switch until finally after a few minutes everything shut off and did not come back on again until I turned the thermostat control to OFF and waited a few minutes. That was when I first posted here with that problem. When I checked the continuity of the thermostat leads yetserday during operation while turning the thermostat knob it was like trying to tune in a remote radio station. The entire operation of the fridge was affected by the intermittent closing and opening of the circuit - fans AND cmpressor.

 

[Dan O.]

Then maybe it was a flakey contact in the thermostat. It tripping then trying to restart too soon could have caused the compressor to short cycle on its overload while trying to restart.

Dan O.

 

[26years]

Hello Dan.
I just received my replacement thermostat today from the ebay seller. The fridge has been working fine in the meantime for the past month. I bypassed the temp. control altogether and put the power cord on a timer with 2 hours on and 1 hour off.

One question: The replacement part is a GE "Genuine Renewal Part" # WR9X559 in a a sealed plastic bag.
But the temperature control replacement part number listed on the technical data sheet for my fridge is WR9X562.
Is it ok to go ahead and replace it?
Thanks
Howard

 

[26years]

I just dug out the defective one and in fact the numbers are the same: WR9X559 even though the original data sheet had a different number.
Sorry to trouble you. I will replace it tomorrow. Looks easy and I will let you know how it goes.
Thanks
Howard

 

[Dan O.]

I don't know why the data sheet calls for a different thermostat. That one however is discontinued as well.

When installing the replacement try to bend its capillary tube as little as possible. Too sharp of bend could collapse the tubing.

Dan O.

 

[26years]

Hi Dan,
I attached a photo of the replacement thermostat I got from ebay and the bag it came in. It is clear this must be a refurbished part so I just want to check with you that the capillary tube is not bent too much. That is how it looks right from from the package. There seems to be some 90 degree bends!
I also attached a photo from the technical data sheet I found in my fridge when I opened the temp. control panel. It shows the replacement part number for the thermostat. This number is different from the number on the defective thermostat I removed. The defective thermostat number matches the one I got on ebay.
Thanks Dan
Howard

 

[Dan O.]

It is not refurbished. Those thermostat’s are not repairable.

The capillary is fine. Thats how they're shipped. You can bend the capillary tube but just don't kink it (*tight* 90 deg. or bigger bend).



Dan O.

 

[26years]

Thanks Dan. The package said "Genuine Renewal Part" so I thought it meant it was a refurbished part.

How do you do those great cartoons?

Howard

 

[26years]

Hi Dan,
The installation was easy and the fridge is working like a new fridge! Also the defrost timer works as advertised, something I could not check when I was using the wall timer.

Thanks for your patience and help. You saved me over $1000.00 for a new fridge, Now I can buy the recliner I need for an upcoming surgery!

I wish you all the best.
Howard

 

[Dan O.]

Thanks for the followup.