FIXED Whirlpool WRF736SDAM13 fridge not cooling but freezer is.

[GUNSLINGNMONKEY]

Model Number

WRF736SDAM13

Brand

Whirlpool

Age

6-10 years

Hello all, I have a WRF736SDAM13 French door whirlpool. I have change the whole harness with bi-metal and motor and thermistor. And it is still not cooling properly in the fridge. Could this be the dampner or the main board. When I run diagnostic the bi-metal constantly shows open. Where as a month ago when i changed it the bi-metal showed closed once cooled down after install. But now after freezing up again. It constantly shows open. Also the freezer is running as low as -15 degrees at times. Help please.

 

[Jake]

Did you put the evaporator cover back in place after you replaced those parts? That's very important to do for it to cool properly.

If you did, then take a photo of the frost pattern on your evaporator coil, we need to see it.

Normal would be a thin layer of frost on ALL the coils from TOP to BOTTOM.

Look at the very bottom photo below where it says NORMAL FROST PATTERN.

 

[GUNSLINGNMONKEY]

Yes sir I did. Here are 2 pics from 2 different time in a month.

 

[GUNSLINGNMONKEY]

Hi Jake,

I see mine looks more like first pic. And I have checked the bi-metal and heater both are fine. So does that lead me go the main control board?

 

[Robert4]

Here's a similar thread:

FIXED - WRF736SDAM13 Freezer defrost problem - iced up

Hello, I have a whirlpool WRF736SDAM13 fridge. It started making a weird grumbling noise and the fridge wouldn't stay cool. Initial investigation shows that the freezer cooling coils are all frozen and the ice finally froze up to where the fan can't force cold air up into the fridge any...

www.applianceblog.com

Did you already change the control board? If you didn't, @Jake , would that be his next step?

 

[GUNSLINGNMONKEY]

I did and it seemed to fix it. But it's only been running a week. I know a refrigerator should not run 24/7 and should run 8 to 12 hours. But how long does it not run? But fan seems loud so I will have to take apart again to see if I can quite the evaporator fan a bit. Thanks. Edit.. to be clear I hear the fan in freezer. I don't always hear the compressor.

 

[Robert4]

These "high-efficiency compressors" on new refrigerators tend to run longer than old fridges, but you're right, it shouldn't run 100% of the time. I think it shouldn't run for maybe 5-8 hours a day, depending on how often you open the doors.

But fan seems loud so I will have to take apart again to see if I can quite the evaporator fan a bit

Also check to see if the evaporator coil has a normal frost pattern, as Jake's post #2 above.

 

[GUNSLINGNMONKEY]

Any idea why fan would run louder sometime and others not so loud?

 

[Robert4]

That I don't know. Maybe some ice is forming where it shouldn't and the fan is hitting the ice. Then fan becomes quieter because ice thaws a little and the blade is no longer hitting ice. That's just a guess. @Jake should be able to give you some other ideas.

 

[GUNSLINGNMONKEY]

Thank you

 

[Robert4]

You're welcome!

 

[Jake]

Did you already change the control board?

I did and it seemed to fix it. But it's only been running a week.

Then that new main control board should fix it.

Here's the main control board for your model, in case others need it too:
WPW10589838 Electronic Control Board

Any idea why fan would run louder sometime and others not so loud?

No, how loud does it run? You can take a video of that fan sound and attach it to your next post, or you can upload the video to Youtube and post the Youtube link here. Or share your video per Google Drive, Dropbox, or Microsoft OneDrive and post the share link here.

My freezer evaporator always runs loud when I open the freezer door, when the freezer door is closed I don't hear it, just the normal compressor running sound which is normal.

 

[GUNSLINGNMONKEY]

You're welcome!

Hey man any idea why I have this moisture on outside of freezer drawer gasket? It's on top in center. Right below where fridge doors come together. I posted a few pics. Thanks.

 

[GUNSLINGNMONKEY]

Then that new main control board should fix it.

Here's the main control board for your model, in case others need it too:
WPW10589838 Electronic Control Board



No, how loud does it run? You can take a video of that fan sound and attach it to your next post, or you can upload the video to Youtube and post the Youtube link here. Or share your video per Google Drive, Dropbox, or Microsoft OneDrive and post the share link here.

My freezer evaporator always runs loud when I open the freezer door, when the freezer door is closed I don't hear it, just the normal compressor running sound which is normal.

Ok. I will do that. Thanks

 

[Jake]

Hey man any idea why I have this moisture on outside of freezer drawer gasket? It's on top in center. Right below where fridge doors come together. I posted a few pics. Thanks.

Possibly a air leak coming in causing that condensation, is the door gasket sealing tight against the cabinet with the door closed?

 

[GUNSLINGNMONKEY]

Here is sound. I think it's the harness that holds the fan vibrating. I checked it and it's tight and all. But being only 2 screws hold it. It is kind of lose a little. I can move it a bit when I touch it. Is there any options have you ever encountered this?
And it's not noisy all the time.

 

[GUNSLINGNMONKEY]

Possibly a air leak coming in causing that condensation, is the door gasket sealing tight against the cabinet with the door closed?

It is tight against cabinet. But a little gap against the drawer panel . Do you know part number for the drawer gasket? I may replace it.

 

[Jake]

Here's the freezer door drawer gasket for your model: Gasket-Fip (wht) W10638486 / AP5954966

Here is sound. I think it's the harness that holds the fan vibrating. I checked it and it's tight and all. But being only 2 screws hold it. It is kind of lose a little. I can move it a bit when I touch it. Is there any options have you ever encountered this?
And it's not noisy all the time.

I don't think wire harness would make that fan motor make that noise, unless the fan blade is hitting it.

Is the fan blade tight on the fan motor?

Here's the fan motor for your model:
Evaporator Fan Motor WPW10514110

 

[GUNSLINGNMONKEY]

Thanks. It is tight. I should have took video while it was apart and running . If I lifted up a bit on the frame that the motor and harness attach to it seemed to quiet it down some. Does that make sense?That's a brand new harness on it. I appreciate the help.

 

[Jake]

If I lifted up a bit on the frame that the motor and harness attach to it seemed to quiet it down some. Does that make sense?

Yes, but I've never seen that happen before, I've replaced lots of these fan motors too for my customers and never had that noise problem.

So I don't know why this is happening on yours, unless that fan motor you got is defective or had shipping damage. Just doing that to the harness should not make a difference.