Whirlpool WRX988SIBM01 Fridge too cold/ice maker not working

[Rj1052]

Model Number

WRX988SIBM01

Brand

Whirlpool

Age

6-10 years

Hello! I am trying to diagnose the fridge that came with the house I just bought. It is a

Whirlpool WRX988SIBM01​

Initially, the ice maker was working, but extremely slow (as in 6 ice cubes/day). I cleaned the condenser coils under the fridge as they were extremely dirty. No difference.

I then bought a Thermometer. The freezer stays pretty constant at 0 degrees (there were a few fluctuations at first all the way to 10 below, but I thought that could be because it was empty), but I can’t get the fridge above 30 degrees. It is currently set at 40.

I have run diagnostics and gotten an E5 error code for test 56. I unplug and it resets, but will come back with E5 after a while. I can manually harvest the ice and can fill it manually if I unplug for a few minutes (my guess is the water line is freezing since it’s constantly at 30 degrees). Of course the other morning I woke up and randomly had half a bin of ice.

Could my ice maker issues be stemming from the low temp in the fridge? Or is it two separate problems? Thanks so much for your help!

 

[Jake]

Hi, Do you hear the refrigerator fan running inside the refrigerator section? Open the refrigerator door and listen for it running, you may need to hold the door switch in to hear it run.

I'm attaching your data sheet below.

Do--->Service Test - 2: RC Thermistor
--->The board will check the resistance value of the thermistor and display the results on the Temp display (01 = pass, 02 = open, 03 = short).

Could my ice maker issues be stemming from the low temp in the fridge? Or is it two separate problems?

It sounds like 2 different problems.

E5 = Timed ice making. This code indicates the ice maker thermistor is warmer than 16° and the ice bin thermistor has been below 45° for 3 hours. An E5 can be the result of a defective IM thermistor, bin
thermistor, loose thermistor connection, ice box fan not running or a cooling issue.

What is the temperature in the ice maker compartment?

Do these TESTS below too.

Service Test - 36: Ice Box Fan--->Check for fan operation. Control ice box fan by selecting SW3. Display the status on Temp Display. (01 = on, 02 = off). Verify airflow from the ice box fan.
Service Test - 37: Ice Box Thermistor--->The board will check the resistance value of the thermistor and display the results on the Temp display (01 = pass, 02 = open, 03 = short).

 

[Rj1052]

Thank you so much for your quick reply! A quick addition: I woke up this morning and the freezer was at negative 10 degrees.

Hi, Do you hear the refrigerator fan running inside the refrigerator section? Open the refrigerator door and listen for it running, you may need to hold the door switch in to hear it run.

I can definitely hear a fan, but it almost sounds like it is only the ice box fan. I don't feel any air coming out of the back vents. I also ran Service Test 3 and the airflow in the RC does not cease when it reads 23.

Do--->Service Test - 2: RC Thermistor
--->The board will check the resistance value of the thermistor and display the results on the Temp display (01 = pass, 02 = open, 03 = short).

I got 01 for both Service Test 1 and 2 (since the FC is too cold, I tested that one as well).

It sounds like 2 different problems.

E5 = Timed ice making. This code indicates the ice maker thermistor is warmer than 16° and the ice bin thermistor has been below 45° for 3 hours. An E5 can be the result of a defective IM thermistor, bin
thermistor, loose thermistor connection, ice box fan not running or a cooling issue.

What is the temperature in the ice maker compartment?

I am not sure. It will make ice, but I have to manually harvest. My thermometer isn't small enough to fit in that tiny ice maker compartment, so what do you recommend is the best way to get a reading?

I did change out the ice maker a couple weeks ago, but continued to get an E5 error code and very little ice (had to manually harvest), so put the original back in. I still have the new one as I haven't returned it yet.

Do these TESTS below too.

Service Test - 36: Ice Box Fan--->Check for fan operation. Control ice box fan by selecting SW3. Display the status on Temp Display. (01 = on, 02 = off). Verify airflow from the ice box fan.

Yes, the fan turns on and off.

Service Test - 37: Ice Box Thermistor--->The board will check the resistance value of the thermistor and display the results on the Temp display (01 = pass, 02 = open, 03 = short).

Got 01 for test 37.


Thank you again for your help Jake!

 

[Jake]

My thermometer isn't small enough to fit in that tiny ice maker compartment, so what do you recommend is the best way to get a reading?

I always get the RED Liquid or digital freezer thermometer. Walmart, Target sells them usually at about 10 dollars and they last a lifetime.

Or use can use a IR laser thermometer, they sell them at Lowes and Home Depot.

I don't feel any air coming out of the back vents. I also ran Service Test 3 and the airflow in the RC does not cease when it reads 23.

Service Test - 3: Evaporator Fan and Air Baffle Motors
--->Control the RC and FC evaporator fan motors by depressing SW3 (01= both fan motors off. 02 = FC fan on).
--->Depress SW3 once to advance. Service Test 3 will flash quickly and advance to tests 13/23 very quickly. The result is RC fan on, pantry air damper on. Pantry air damper will open and close automatically (13 = damper open, 23 = damper closed). Verify airflow inside pantry on lefthand side when damper is open (13 displayed). Airflow in pantry will cease when “23” is displayed.
--->Depress SW3 to advance to last step (04 = both RC and FC fans on).

23 the damper should be closed, but air is still coming out in the pantry?

The refrigerator AIR DAMPER ASSEMBLY for your model is WPW10248595

Another member was having this same issue and the control board was the culprit:

FIXED - WRX986SIHZ01 Whirlpool Refrigerator - Evaporator coil top section frozen over.

My freezer drawer section fan started to make a lot of racket to I pulled the drawers out, back panel and found the evaporator coil top section frozen over. See attached photo. I ran the service diagnostic mode service test-6 Defrost heater and got a (01 = bi-metal closed). I ran the service...

www.applianceblog.com

The Control board for your model is in stock here: W10807590

 

[Rj1052]

Thanks for the links Jake!

So for the Service Test 3, I was thinking it was airflow from the vent in the back of the fridge, but I’m guessing the pantry is the middle drawer? I was able to get my hand back there and it does in fact turn off, so I guess the air damper assembly is fine.

I received the new control board and got it installed. No change in anything, but it’s only been a little over 12 hours. Fridge is still at 30 degrees, Freezer is still at about -5, and the ice maker is showing E5 error code again.

I am on my way to the store to pick up a different thermometer and can hopefully find one small enough for a reading in the ice maker.

If you have any other suggestions, it would be appreciated! I will update with temp readings once I get a new thermometer. Thanks!

 

[Jake]

Did you unplug the refrigerator before you installed the control board?

 

[Rj1052]

Did you unplug the refrigerator before you installed the control board?

Yes Sir! Only for a few minutes though since it was a quick swap.

I got temp readings this morning and the fridge is sitting at 35, freezer at -4, and the ice maker is at 18. Only one cycle of ice was made last night (6 cubes). At least the fridge temp seems to have normalized, so that’s a win!

If the freezer is consistently below zero, what would cause the ice maker to be staying above the normal temp?

 

[Jake]

If the freezer is consistently below zero, what would cause the ice maker to be staying above the normal temp?

That's what I'm puzzled about too, your ice box fan is running, both your evaporator fans are running, so it makes no sense why your not getting proper cooling in the ice maker compartment.

Something is very odd, you will definitely need to contact Whirlpool at 1-866-698-2538 and have a tech come out, the tech can call the factory on a special FACTORY HOTLINE tech number from your house, and the factory can get involved in investigating why this is happening.