Well apparently this is common -- Whirlpool WRX988SIBM01 fridge not cooling.

[rayray74]

Model Number

WRX988SIBM01

Brand

Whirlpool

Age

6-10 years

have same model but bigger at old home - moved into this house - same fridge just a bit older - house was vacant for a few years.
fridge not getting below 50-55
freezer is fine - middle drawer is 33-40 depending on where in drawer - further back is colder.
had tech come look - spent 800 on repair - they replaced board and fridge evap fan motor - next day was fine - then it went to heck again.
came back out - said diag showed all fine. obvious not. sent new tech they said the wee board in top of middle drawer was bad and gonna cost 1500 to replace. i replaced for 250 noticed broken wire - repaired. fridge still not working. i have a new evap fan motor i was gonna swap but i cant figure out how to disassemble the whole thing.
also i dont thing i saw tech have all the drawers out and such - so not sure he did actually swap evap fan motor.
i have all shelves out. i am stuck on the grey piece that the fresh food bins lay in. does that come out? do i have to remove middle drawer out of fridge?

 

[rayray74]

This is where I am stuck.

 

[Jake]

Hi,

Do you hear the evaporator fan motor running in the refrigerator section?

Look at page 5-9 and 5-10 here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/s5wx9d9xppw3wry/R-114 JOB AID W10444924.pdf?dl=0

It will show you how, you may have to remove the Air Tower and the Deli Drawer first, Deli Drawer removal is on 5-7 and 5-8.

Here's the evaporator fan motor for the refrigerator section for your model:
W10633627 Motor-Evap


Jake

 

[rayray74]

This had more ice.. this isn't good.

 

[rayray74]

Don't hear the fan, I did order that fan, but see photo in my reply below.. looks like EVAP is iced.

 

[Jake]

Yes, because if that refrigerator evaporator fan motor is NOT running, it will frost/ice up the evaporator coil.

You will also need to move the thermistor per this service bulletin I'm attaching below.

Jake

 

[rayray74]

thanks Jake. Am I correct I letting this whole thing defrost before moving forward?

 

[rayray74]

It appears the thermistor has been relocated.

 

[Jake]

It does not look like its exactly right to me, look at the diagram in that service bulletin.

Yes, you can also use a hair dryer to de-ice faster.

Jake

 

[rayray74]

So I let it thaw out and sit overnight after replacing fan and moving thermistor. Been over 24 hours. Plugged fridge in, can hear freezer fan, fridge fan is not spinning. The control board has been replaced 2 times previous, does the theromistor and temp sensor need replacing?

 

[rayray74]

The harness that goes to fan and thermistor and temp sensor has burnt pin. What is this part number? It has the thermistor and sensor built right into it.

 

[Jake]

Great! You found the problem.

Yes, this wire harness I believe is the one you need:

Whirlpool W10837236 Harns-Wire (AP5988715) - AppliancePartsPros.com

HARNS-WIRE W10837236 / AP5988715 made by Whirlpool

click.linksynergy.com

Jake