The Virtual Repairman's Appliance Help

pmhome1 · Apprentice DIYer Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 10

Problem started with poor cooling in food area, freezer fine. Ice on coils. Thawed out, but still not cooling food area.
Repair service replaced ADC board and Defrost T'stat. Appears Air Damper not working like it should as no air flow into food area. Can lower temps by loosening cover over ADC and Damper and pulling away from wall a little - cold air then blows into food area and temp will get to freezing or below but no control over temp. Both fans working fine. Defrost heater works also.
Air Damper will operate when pulled away from wall as above and moving Fridge Temp Control, but does not seem to work normally. Temps will rise to 50+ in fridge, but near zero in freezer.
Will a bad Temp Control cause this or do I need to check something else ?

Model FRS26F4CW1 2003

Thanks

Virtual Repairman · Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 2:34 pm Post subject: damper

I'd be more inclined to replace the damper control. Your thermostats in the control panel only control the freezer and refrigerator temps by cycling the compressor off or on. The damper is independent of them and is motor controlled. The part is shown below and you may click to order

Damper Control-

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pmhome1 · Apprentice DIYer Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 10

Thanks for the feedback. I'm a little confused though, as it appears from the wiring diagrams the Temp Control has some input on the Damper operation. Looks like the Temp Control signals the ADC board which controls the Damper. Is this right, or am I looking at it wrong and these are independent of each other ? What controls the Damper operation ?

Thanks again.

Virtual Repairman · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 5:02 am Post subject: damper

The temp control for the FF section does provide feedback to the damper thru the ADC. I was trying not to get technical on you since I do not know your electrical capability.

Since you seem to read diagrams so well, perhaps you could have already seen this as the problem. Certainly if you think the temp control is the problem, please feel free to get one. I'm just basing my recommendations on past experience. Dampers fail a lot more often then temp controls.
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pmhome1 · Apprentice DIYer Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 10

Thanks, just trying to minimize cash outlay. Appreciate the feedback - any way to test the Damper to make sure before I buy one ?

Virtual Repairman · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 12:25 pm Post subject: damper

Now you know I'm not going to leave you hanging.... How about I share the actual service manual with you for this model year?

Here it is:

2003 SXS and TOP Mount Refrigerators (7 MB)

And lest you forget, you never have to worry about buying a part thru one of my recommended links. My associates at RepairClinic allow you to return any part if it does not solve the problem, so your skepticism and caution can be waivered a bit in this case Smile

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pmhome1 · Apprentice DIYer Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 10

Got it - thank you very much. I did order both the Air Damper and Temp Control from your source since I could return either if not needed.
Good info here. No offense, but hope I don't have to become a regular, but good to know it's out there for those of us who like to tinker.
Thanks again.

pmhome1 · Apprentice DIYer Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 10

Installed the Air Damper today and that seems to have fixed the problem (knock on wood). Now have cold air coming through Damper again. One question though, does the damper door open partially at times or is it just all open or all shut depending on temp ?
Thanks again for the tips.

Virtual Repairman · Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 3:48 am Post subject: open or shut

The damper can open to any position needed to regulate the FF temps.
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pmhome1 · Apprentice DIYer Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 10

Ooops, may have spoken too soon. Now getting constant air flow and FF temps down into 20's ?? Would this indicate another problem since we've replaced the ADC board, Defrost T'stat, and now Air Damper ? Would a problem during installation of the Damper cause a problem - seemed to go back in ok and routed tubes where they were.

pmhome1 · Apprentice DIYer Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 10

Follow up - I noticed the FF temp was about 28 degrees and still blowing cold air through damper. However, if I turn Temp Control all the way to zero it does close the Damper. ??? Normal (factory) setting is between 3 and 4 on the control.

Virtual Repairman · Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 3:13 am Post subject: damper

As with any new parts, you have to acclimate to a different setting. The only part left which might cause overcooling at this point would the the temp control. As long as you can keep the FF section above freezing, it matters not where the temp control is set to.
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pmhome1 · Apprentice DIYer Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 10

Sorry for the delay, but after replacing the temp control it seems to be working. So, ended up with new damper, t'stat. temp control, and ADC board but the last thing replaced was the temp control and started working ok.

Virtual Repairman · Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 5:51 am Post subject: fridge

Well, on the bright side...you should have a fairly reliable control system for a few years Smile

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