WRV986FDEM01 Whirlpool refrigerator not cooling

[liemthung]

Model Number

WRV986FDEM01

Brand

Whirlpool

Age

6-10 years

Hi,
M refrigerator is not cooling. Symptoms are: evap coils icing up. service test #3 damper open and closes but continually opens and closes (observied visually) but never stops (only displays 13 and never 23) RC and FC fans pass. Should i replace damper control assembly?

Thanks
TOny

 

[Jake]

Hi Tony,

Service Test - 3 Evaporator Fan Motor and Air Baffle Motor
• Control the RC & FC Evaporator Fan Mtrs. by depressing SW3 (01 = Both Fan Mtr. OFF, 02 = FC Fan ON).
• Depress SW3 once to advance. Step 3 will flash quickly and advance to steps 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 air flow inside pantry on left-hand side when damper is open, 912 displayed). Air flow in pantry will cease when 23 is displayed.
• Depress SW3 to advance to last step. (04 = Both RC & FC fans on).

It sounds like more of a control board problem, since the air damper is opening and closing like it should.

Is the air damper open in normal cooling mode? Also, you hear the refrigerator evaporator fan motor running in the refrigerator section?

The refrigerator AIR DAMPER ASSEMBLY for your model is WPW10248595

Here's the main control board for your model:
Refrigerator Control Board WPW10675033

 

[liemthung]

Hi Jake thanks for the quick reply...I have the cover open and see the evaporator fan running. I never see a 23 on panel...its just stuck at 13...i do see the damper open and close continuosly..without it stopping and never displaying 23. It also says expect a 912...but never see that as well..what you think is the most likely problem...hate to start easter egging...

 

[Jake]

Ok Tony, both the control board and the damper have been a little problematic on this model.

I just located another thread about a similar issue:

FIXED - Whirlpool Refrigerator WRV986FDEM01 Possible damper issue

Background info; My refrigerator (Whirlpool WRV986FDEM01) that I bought in 2017 started running at about 52 degrees in the refrigerator compartment. I disassembled and found the RC evaporator coils froze up. I thawed them out and thought it was a hiccup. However, the same thing started...

www.applianceblog.com

In his thread he mentioned he replaced the control board first and all was well, then the damper issue occurred.

The airflow never changed between 13 and 23.

I'd get the damper then.