Whirlpool ED5PVEXWS06 fridge won't come on unless I turn temp knobs

[jdmas]

Here's what happens: A few times over the past few days, the things in the freezer thawed out and the fridge side wasn't very cold either. In the fridge side are two dials to set the temperature for freezer and fridge so I twisted those back and forth a couple times and the fridge started humming. I checked back in a few hours and everything was cold and things in the freezer were frozen solid. But several hours later or the next day, everything will be thawed/warm again. I can turn the dials and start the whole process over. I haven't had time to keep checking on the fridge to see if I can catch it coming on by itself, but I think it's only coming on when I fiddle with the dials. I assume that's some kind of thermostat thing?

 

[Budget Appliance Repair]

@jdmas you need to replace the cold control/thermostat - this is a common problem with these Whirlpool SxS units with the two control dials at the roof of the refrigerator compartment.

The next time it stop, don't turn the dials - just give the control area a good hard thump with the back of your hand.  I can pretty much guarantee that it will start running again.

You will also most likely find very fine black carbon specs under the cold control/t-stat when you pull the control console down.

Part number: WP2198202

http://www.appliancepartspros.com/ShowPartImage.aspx?forumimg=WP2198202

[jdmas]

Thank you very much. I assumed it was some kind of thermostat but didn't want to start buying $100 parts because they sounded good to me.