Whirlpool refrigerator not getting cold - freezer works great
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Whirlpool refrigerator not getting cold - freezer works great
Hello-
I have a Whirlpool residential refrigerator in my RV. Model WRT579SMYM00. Downloaded the manual but it is of little help.
The freezer works great and freezes ice, but the refrigerator gets only very slightly cool. I'm thinking that if the freezer is working, the refrigerator mechanics must be operating properly. Anyone familiar with this model and/or might know what is going on where the freezer works great but the refrigerator not so much?
Thanks!
I have a Whirlpool residential refrigerator in my RV. Model WRT579SMYM00. Downloaded the manual but it is of little help.
The freezer works great and freezes ice, but the refrigerator gets only very slightly cool. I'm thinking that if the freezer is working, the refrigerator mechanics must be operating properly. Anyone familiar with this model and/or might know what is going on where the freezer works great but the refrigerator not so much?
Thanks!
#2
Group Moderator
I haven't looked up your model but when the freezer works great and the fridge isn't getting cold it's often a blockage in the passage between the freezer and fridge. Most often I find it's the condensate drain has become clogged. Remove everything from the freezer and remove the back panel and see if there is a big slab of ice on the bottom.
#3
You've got a complicated fridge there. It has an electronic control board that controls all operations including defrost. There are several sensors (thermistors) that tell the board when to activate fridge fan and defrost mode.
You may have a defective sensor or a problem with defrost. Definitely check for an ice build up first like Dane mentioned.
There is a tech sheet tucked under the front of the fridge behind the kickplate.
Look carefully it may be hidden. It will help you diagnose problems in the unit.
You may have a defective sensor or a problem with defrost. Definitely check for an ice build up first like Dane mentioned.
There is a tech sheet tucked under the front of the fridge behind the kickplate.
Look carefully it may be hidden. It will help you diagnose problems in the unit.
#4
Member
Thread Starter
PJmax and Pilot Dane-
Thanks for taking the time to respond.
Is there some sort of diagram or references or anything that explains how to take this refrigerator apart or where to find the passages between the refrigerator and freezer that you refer to or where the location of the thermistors are? Where would I find the condensate drain? There's definitely no ice there as the refrigerator is in a RV and I shut it off.
I believe one has to check the thermistors ohms on a volt meter to see if they are working, correct? If I can find these thermistors, what resistance should I be looking for at different temps for troubleshooting?
I will look for that tech sheet. As the RV is not accessible right now, is there a PDF of this tech sheet somewhere on-line that I can read?
Thanks to both of you for your time.
Thanks for taking the time to respond.
Is there some sort of diagram or references or anything that explains how to take this refrigerator apart or where to find the passages between the refrigerator and freezer that you refer to or where the location of the thermistors are? Where would I find the condensate drain? There's definitely no ice there as the refrigerator is in a RV and I shut it off.
I believe one has to check the thermistors ohms on a volt meter to see if they are working, correct? If I can find these thermistors, what resistance should I be looking for at different temps for troubleshooting?
I will look for that tech sheet. As the RV is not accessible right now, is there a PDF of this tech sheet somewhere on-line that I can read?
Thanks to both of you for your time.
#5
I haven't found the tech sheet online.
Look at "liner parts" diagram for an exploded view.
WHIRLPOOL REFRIGERATOR | wrt579smym00 | Sears Parts Direct
Look at "liner parts" diagram for an exploded view.
WHIRLPOOL REFRIGERATOR | wrt579smym00 | Sears Parts Direct
#6
Member
Thread Starter
That's very helpful PJmax thanks. I was looking for those diagrams online but couldn't find them.
#7
Member
Thread Starter
Part numbers on the diagram you linked me?
PJ-
I was taking a closer look at the parts diagram you linked me above and was wondering how I know what that part number is? For example, if a part is numbered 26, how do I know the name of this part? I'd like to be able to find those thermistors mentioned above, for example, but since everything is labeled by number and not name, it would be be hard to determine which part is which.
Thanks!
I was taking a closer look at the parts diagram you linked me above and was wondering how I know what that part number is? For example, if a part is numbered 26, how do I know the name of this part? I'd like to be able to find those thermistors mentioned above, for example, but since everything is labeled by number and not name, it would be be hard to determine which part is which.
Thanks!
#8
Group Moderator
The drawing has numbers with arrows pointing at the part. Then if you look to the right at the parts list is says "26 on diagram" then right next to it has the part name and price. And for many parts they have a picture of the part.
#9
Member
Thread Starter
Pilot Dane-
OK, i'm not trying to be thick, but I'm not seeing this parts list you refer to. I see the numbers pointing to the parts, but I'm not seeing anything "to the right." Maybe I'm missing something or a portion of the website isn't displaying correctly because I am looking at the website overseas, but I don't see any parts lists or prices or pictures. Could you provide me some more specific guidance please?
OK, i'm not trying to be thick, but I'm not seeing this parts list you refer to. I see the numbers pointing to the parts, but I'm not seeing anything "to the right." Maybe I'm missing something or a portion of the website isn't displaying correctly because I am looking at the website overseas, but I don't see any parts lists or prices or pictures. Could you provide me some more specific guidance please?
#10
Group Moderator
#11
Sear's sometimes has problems with the parts to diagram link. It may say "errror - please try again later". I have to turn my script editors off to see the parts list.
You can try Parts Select for a similar breakdown. The parts are listed with PSxxxxxxxx which is their own number....not OEM.
Whirlpool Refrigerator WRT579SMYM00 Parts List
You can try Parts Select for a similar breakdown. The parts are listed with PSxxxxxxxx which is their own number....not OEM.
Whirlpool Refrigerator WRT579SMYM00 Parts List
#12
Member
Thread Starter
Pilot Dane
I'm using a Windows Laptop to look at the links provided.
PJmax
The link you provided me does have the diagram with the parts below. Thanks, that worked.
I do appreciate the help you have both provided me. Thanks!
I'm using a Windows Laptop to look at the links provided.
PJmax
The link you provided me does have the diagram with the parts below. Thanks, that worked.
I do appreciate the help you have both provided me. Thanks!
#13
Member
Thread Starter
Looking at the thermistor for the refrigerator, as part of the troubleshooting process does one just replace it, or can you put it on an ohmmeter and look at different values depending upon the temperature it is exposed to in order to make sure it is working correctly? When they fail, will it just show as an open circuit?
#14
Sometimes they fail open.... sometimes they get out of calibration. The ideal way is to check them sitting in a cup of ice water as that is a known standard.
32 degrees = 16.3K ohm or 16,300 ohms.
A helpful video.... you tube/watch?v=7lxOqMjFtr4
32 degrees = 16.3K ohm or 16,300 ohms.
A helpful video.... you tube/watch?v=7lxOqMjFtr4
#16
Member
Thread Starter
Further help as I diagnose this problem.......continued
Pilot and PJ
As I mentioned in the OP, this refrigerator is in my RV, which I will finally be receiving back from maintenance in a few days. When I get it back on Monday or Tuesday, I plan on attacking this problem. I've done quite a bit of reading in anticipation of me taking this thing apart. Please let me know if this plan is good..........
I will receive the refrigerator completely de-powered and warm, so there will be no ice blocking anything. I don't think there was ever ice blocking anything because for the few tens(?) hours that I have had the refrigerator on, I started off with no ice (i.e. a warm fridge) and the refrigerator never got really cold.
So correct me if I am wrong, but I should take the back off the freezer (screws?) and then make sure there are no blockages in the passage between the freezer and refrigerator and condensate drain. ***Where is the condensate drain in this freezer? I assume an obvious hole when I take the back of the freezer off?***
Whirlpool Refrigerator WRT579SMYM00 Parts List
So on diagram 4 from the above link, the "passage" referred to is I assume are parts # 6 & 23 (air towers?) that I assume serve as a passage for air between the freezer and refrigerator? **If those aren't it, what passages should I be looking for? Or is it parts 32 & 33?***
Also, I'm going to pull thermistor (part #13) and do the ice water check. I ordered another thermistor in case the one I have is bad. I believe this one should work:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...BGUOOXE6&psc=1
Thanks for the help!
As I mentioned in the OP, this refrigerator is in my RV, which I will finally be receiving back from maintenance in a few days. When I get it back on Monday or Tuesday, I plan on attacking this problem. I've done quite a bit of reading in anticipation of me taking this thing apart. Please let me know if this plan is good..........
I will receive the refrigerator completely de-powered and warm, so there will be no ice blocking anything. I don't think there was ever ice blocking anything because for the few tens(?) hours that I have had the refrigerator on, I started off with no ice (i.e. a warm fridge) and the refrigerator never got really cold.
So correct me if I am wrong, but I should take the back off the freezer (screws?) and then make sure there are no blockages in the passage between the freezer and refrigerator and condensate drain. ***Where is the condensate drain in this freezer? I assume an obvious hole when I take the back of the freezer off?***
Whirlpool Refrigerator WRT579SMYM00 Parts List
So on diagram 4 from the above link, the "passage" referred to is I assume are parts # 6 & 23 (air towers?) that I assume serve as a passage for air between the freezer and refrigerator? **If those aren't it, what passages should I be looking for? Or is it parts 32 & 33?***
Also, I'm going to pull thermistor (part #13) and do the ice water check. I ordered another thermistor in case the one I have is bad. I believe this one should work:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...BGUOOXE6&psc=1
Thanks for the help!
#17
Member
Thread Starter
Final answer
Hello-
Well, in case anyone has a similar problem, it ended up being the small AC fan motor that blows air into the freezer and refrigerator via the air tower. I replaced the fan and now it works great. Thanks for the help.
Well, in case anyone has a similar problem, it ended up being the small AC fan motor that blows air into the freezer and refrigerator via the air tower. I replaced the fan and now it works great. Thanks for the help.