WRX988SIBM01 Weak Ice Production and Inconsistent RC/FC Temps

[bcecss]

Model Number

WRX988SIBM01

Brand

Whirlpool

Age

6-10 years

First post and excited to hear some of the experts weigh in!

Here’s what I have:

• Make: Whirlpool
• Model: WRX988SIBM01
• S/N:K52715405
• Purchased: August 2015 (Over 7 Years Old)

Symptoms as of 2 weeks ago:

• Little to no ice production –Ice production on this has been low from day one.
• Refrigerator Section was warm in the low 40’s(F) – setpoint was 37F
• Freezer section was in the mid 20’s(F) – setpoint was 0F

What I found:

• E5 code on Service Test 56.
• All other Service Tests worked fine and or tested as “passed”.
• RC thermistor not optimized per Technical Service Pointer.
• FC had significant frost build up near top fins and not distributed evenly.

Repairs/Tests to Date:

• Cleaned condenser coil as it was plugged with pet hair and dust.
• Cleaned all door gaskets and ensured proper alignment and sealing.
• Ran a long defrost – Service Test 38 “Lo” – verified the heater got hot with a thermal imaging camera.
• Changed Service Test 7 to “Basic Mode” or the 8hr defrost timer.
• Service Test 6 said 01 bi-metal closed.
• RC and FC drains were working properly and draining well.
• Optimized the RC thermistor as stated in Technical Service Pointers.
• Checked Power Supply board voltages and were within spec.
• Checked Control Board voltages for the heater/bi-metal circuits and were within spec.
• Confirmed FC & RC Evaporator Fan works as expected.
• Confirmed Ice Box Fan works.
• Confirmed RC,FC and IM Thermistor within spec.

Where it was this morning:

• Very little ice produced – No error codes.
• RC actual temp was 35F with the setpoint at 33F. Fluctuates between 33F and 40F
• FC actual temp was 12F with the setpoint at -3F. Fluctuates between 12F & 22F

Questions:

• Do the temps appear ok? Freezer may not be getting cold enough to pump cold air up to the icemaker and make ice consistently hence the low ice production and E5 code for timed ice making.
• How do I get this machine to produce more ice, at least what is advertised in the owner’s manual? Saw there is a supplemental fan that can be added to the return duct on the cold air ducting to improve flow in the icemaker? Is this needed?
• I’m suspecting the FC defrost circuit, any tests I am missing on the bi-metal to confirm its operation?
• How about the control board? With all I have tried and verified, could it be a control board? Any other tests I can perform to verify the control board? If the relays are the issue and go bad, I am comfortable soldering on new relays if need be. Hoping someone has the schematic for this board and what relays control what.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Jake]

The freezer is too warm, its need to be between 0 to 10 degrees F to make ice properly and continually. Was the condenser fan motor running while the compressor is running?

How was the frost pattern on the freezer evaporator coil? If you can take a photo of it that would help. 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.

 

[bcecss]

Thank you for the reply Jake!
Confirmed the condenser fan was running while the compressor was running.
Ice originally had formed near the inlet/outlet of the evaporator in the freezer, didn't take a photo but it was not solid ice across the vanes restricting airflow. With that said it did not have consistent frost across the coils in the photo above.
Since this is a split system using the same compressor/condenser coil, if there was a sealed system issue, wouldn't I have temp/frost issues with the FC also? Those temps appear to be in rage and doing well.
I will remove the rear FC panel to take a photo of the coil and post later.

Again, appreciate and advice!

 

[Jake]

This model has a 3-way valve, Rick explains it here:

Whirlpool WX988SIBM01 not cooling - has never been cold enough

Hello, I have a 2015 Whirlpool refrigerator that has never been cold enough. The Fridge does not go below ~43 degrees and freezer does not get colder than ~15 degrees despite setting them at the lowest settings: 33F and -5F. What's crazy is that it seems like it is warmer in the summer months...

www.applianceblog.com

 

[bcecss]

Heres a pic of the freezer evaporator after a forced long defrost, power reset, and 3 days running uninterrupted. Did get the E5 message on the ice maker and freezer temps around 10-15F. Still too warm. Sealed system issue? Any test i can run on the 3-way valve to ensure its running properly?

 

[Jake]

Yes, that's a sealed system issue.

I'm attaching your tech. data sheet below. SERVICE TEST 4 and 5 you can do.

 

[bcecss]

Thanks Jake - just donated for all you help!


I bought an infrared gun last night and took a few readings of the condenser coil inlet/outlet and got a 79F and 90F reading. Not sure if that’s the right spot or not to take the reading but wanted to verify temperature diff. If there’s a better spot to take the readings on the sealed system, I’m all ears!


I have attached a diagram showing where I took temp readings:

I have performed tests 4 & 5. Results were:

Test 4:

01- Compressor stopped and heard clicking of the 3-way valve.

02- Didn’t notice too much activity here - what should I be listening for if anything?

03 – Compressor did turn on – noticed it seemed to stutter a little before it did start up.

04- Compressor did stay on and RC evap fan was on.

05 – Compressor did stay on and FC evap fan was on.

Test 5:

02 – Min speed observed

03 – Ramped up to max speed.

04 – Ramped down to min speed.

See attached video for reference.



Any other ideas to verify it’s a sealed system issue?

 

[Jake]

Thanks Jake - just donated for all you help!

Thanks!

Yes, its still a sealed system problem, the evaporator coil frost pattern is not correct on yours, normal is 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.

 

[Jake]

LOL, I forgot I already posted that, LONG DAY.

 

[bcecss]

Ugh!! I’m shopping for a new fridge then. Any suggestions for fridges that last longer than 7 years?

Thanks for all your help!!!

 

[Jake]

I always recommend Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Amana, Jenn-Air with just the SINGLE evaporator coil, the more basic the better.