I'm Baaaack...(and going crazy) with another issue on the fridge


  #1  
Old 03-25-15, 08:34 PM
Gunguy45's Avatar
Super Moderator
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 19,281
Received 6 Upvotes on 6 Posts
I'm Baaaack...(and going crazy) with another issue on the fridge

Ok, last night, fridge side bulb blew, so got another today. After trying to unscrew it last night, realized the cover would just lift off, so pulled the fridge temp knob and viola..no problem.

Come back with the bulb and try to put the cover and temp knob back on and the knob will only go on if it is lined up at about the off position. Seems like almost 180 out. Didn't notice it when it was delivered, just turned it 1/2 way up and checked the temp. The stat has 2 fingers of different widths and shapes that engage similar grooves in the knob. It can only go on one way. What the heck? Was it replaced and installed wrong maybe? I don't see a way to move the plate that the fingers are a part of.

Oh, and a new freezer thermometer is saying its warmer than I though, but I'll check it in the morning to verify. Could have just been because of opening and closing and turning on and off.

If you have time, could you explain to this poor appliance dumb person (my Dad is probably rolling like a gator right now), does the knob for the fridge do anything other than open a door wider to allow more cold air? I mean, I know it will turn off the comp, if I turn it down. Or does it do both?

Model Hotpoint GSX24GR
 
  #2  
Old 03-25-15, 09:03 PM
F
Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Wet side of Washington state.
Posts: 16,321
Received 38 Upvotes on 30 Posts
Well, PJ will have to advise on specifics but I can guarantee that there are no violas to blame. (A viola is a violin on steroids, the word you want is voila, pronounced wah-la with the accent on the first syllable.)

Yes, there are generally TWO controls, one is a thermostat, generally for the freezer section and the other is just an adjustable shutter that allows air to pass from the freezer to the refrigerator section when the internal fan is running. The two DO interact to a degree so getting the correct temperatures in each section is a balancing act.

AND, unless you bought a laboratory grade thermometer you still don't know the accuracy of that new thermometer, it could still be "off" by several degrees in either direction.
 
  #3  
Old 03-25-15, 09:35 PM
Gunguy45's Avatar
Super Moderator
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 19,281
Received 6 Upvotes on 6 Posts
Hey, what's a vewol misplecemant here and there? And who's to say I didn't hear a stringed instrument playing? Lol

Yeah, it has 2 controls, but the freezer control won't turn off the comp, the fridge side does. The freezer control just feels like some sort of mechanical adjustment. No clicks or anything from low to high end. Seems kinda basackwards

The ice cream was much firmer after I pulled the icemaker which was doing it's heat thing, so I'm sure it was just due to door openings. We'll see in the morning.
 
  #4  
Old 03-25-15, 09:45 PM
F
Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Wet side of Washington state.
Posts: 16,321
Received 38 Upvotes on 30 Posts
I did state generally. In your case the thermostat is on the refrigerator side and the freezer control is just a mechanical shutter. Strange thing is...the evaporator coil is ALWAYS in the freezer except for very high end models that have TWO evaporators (and thermostats) to closely control the temperatures in each section.

I haven't had any ice cream in so long I have forgotten what it tastes like. I'm going to put the bowl for my Cuisinart machine in the freezer tonight and get some half & half tomorrow.
 
  #5  
Old 03-25-15, 09:50 PM
Gunguy45's Avatar
Super Moderator
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 19,281
Received 6 Upvotes on 6 Posts
Yeah, and this sure as heck isn't a high end machine.
 
  #6  
Old 03-28-15, 06:22 PM
PJmax's Avatar
Group Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Jersey
Posts: 63,074
Received 3,602 Upvotes on 3,229 Posts
Viola's and ice cream.... what could be better.

Usually the knob on the right is labeled with numbers, is called fridge temp. and does control the compressor and therefore the entire box.

The left knob, usually labeled with letters, is for the freezer and is just a damper. It can be mechanical or electronically controlled. For the freezer to be colder it sends less cold air to the fridge section. So basically the freezer knob sets the balance between fridge and freezer.

The fridge knob should only go on one way. The only way to change where it points is to turn the actual thermostat which usually sits in a keyed location.
 
  #7  
Old 03-28-15, 07:07 PM
Gunguy45's Avatar
Super Moderator
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 19,281
Received 6 Upvotes on 6 Posts
Thats what I thought PJ...apparently there may have been a repair and the actual control is 180 out from the knob and reference line. Another project for another day.
 

Last edited by Gunguy45; 03-28-15 at 08:06 PM.
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
 
Ask a Question
Question Title:
Description:
Your question will be posted in: