Kenmore Refrigerator too Cold

My 2006 Kenmore Elite Refrig (Dutch Doors on top) with bottom Freezer, Model 77573600, ser #605KR01147, the refrigerator section is too cold and is starting to freeze food. The freezer section is fine. I unplugged the unit and let stand for several hours in case there was a sensor that may have frozen. I also "carefully" cleaned the lower back coils, compressor, fan and anything else I could reach with a vacuum. I do this every 6 months, so it had some dust and dog hair, but wasn't overly dusty. I moved food around in the refrig and freezer sections, in case there was an air flow issue. Also, I opened the outside back compartment to just look at the circuit board to see if there appeared to be an obvious section that looked burnt or cracked. It "visibly" looked fine to me but I'm not a electrical technician. I have done basic home electrical repairs and some general home computer work like adding memory chips, but that's about it. I just turned the refrig back on and it's running. Is there any other general thing(s) I can do if the refrig again starts to freezer? Is there a sensor inside the box I should check, etc.? Thanks.

 

The refrigerator control functions as the thermostat for the entire appliance (refrigerator and freezer sections). The higher the number setting, the longer the compressor will run to keep the temperature colder.

The freezer control adjusts the cold air flow from the freezer to the refrigerator. Setting the freezer control to a lower temperature keeps more cold air in the Freezer compartment to make it colder.


I know.....a little confusing. There is only one thermostat in a unit. The other adjustment is an air door.

In your unit the refrigerator control is the master temp control. Try bringing that up one or two numbers. One you get the fridge temp where you want it...you can then touch up the freezer adjustment.

 

First let me correct that the Kenmore Elite Reg Model # is 795-77573600, if that makes a difference. The temp control for this model is on the outside of the door and you can set separate temperatures for the Freezer as well as the Refrig area. It was set as 0 for the freezer & 37 for the refrig. which has been the setting set in 2006. I moved the refrig temp to 40 degrees and left the freezer temp at 0. So far, so good in that the refrig is cycling on and off. Hopefully, turning the unit off (unplugging it) for several hours then plugging it back in either thawed what may have been causing the problem, or turning the power off, then later back on reset/rebooted the circuit board. etc. if for some reason it became confused. WARNING - IF THIS HAPPENS TO OTHERS WITH THE REFRIG SECTION FREEZING, REMOVE YOUR WATER FILTER THAT IS INSIDE THE UNIT AND CHECK FOR CRACKS CAUSED BY FREEZING. WHEN I USED THE OUTSIDE WATER DISPENSER, I HEARD WATER COMING BUT IT DIDN'T COME OUT THE DISPENSER. I OPENED THE REFRIG AND WATER WAS COMING OUT THE DRAIN HOLE IN THE FILTER HOUSING AND INTO THE REFRIG. I REMOVED THE FILTER AND IT WAS CRACKED.

 

Yes.....I can see the water filter being a freeze issue.
When designed they never expected the fridge to get that cold.

Keep us posted and let me know if you still have issues.

 

Well, so far, so good. I set the freezer at 4 and the refrig at 40 last night and things are fine so far. Unfortunately, I will now be concerned that whatever caused the freezing issue in the refrig, might occur again. Do you know if this type of problem is subject to reoccur often, or might it just be a fluke? Those water filters are expensive at $55, so I wouldn't want to have to replace one prematurely again. The unit has been fine since 2006 when I purchased it. Luckily, I got this refrig when I remodeled the kitchen and moved the older Kenmore side-by-side down to the basement. So, I had refrig/freezer expansion space I could use until this problem was resolved.