Refrigerator is freezing the fresh food side GSH22JFXA WW

[Mrham]

Hi, I have a GE refrigerator side by side. GSH22JFXA WW is the model.

Problem: Refrigerator is freezing the fresh food side. My milk and soups are freezing almost solid and it is killing all my lettuce and fresh fruit. I tested the fresh side with my thermometer and got a consistent reading of about 33-32 degrees. Too cold.

First I did the simple thing and turned up the temperature warmer and let a day go by. It did not fix it, still frozen even with both fresh and frozen sides set to "1" the warmest setting. Left it go for two days like this. New milk I just put in froze over night.

I first thought maybe the damper is dead or broken letting to much cold air in. However this model doesn't have a damper! I checked by removing the part in the upper left corner where it usually is. Only a light and thermister is there. No plug or anything for a damper. It is just mostly open to the freezer side, could see right through. Odd.

Next I tested all three thermistors thinking one might be dead. It had two on the frozen side and one on the fresh side. I dunked all three in ice water and all three seemed to be working. Each one read 15.8-16.0. I did all my tests from the back off the plug to the motherboard. For fun I dunked them in hot tap water and they jumped accordingly.

What do I test next? Don't know where to go from here or why it is still so cold. What am I missing?

One note I can't tell but it seems to run all the time.

Thanks!

[DurhamAppliance]

according to my research your model is supposed to have a damper.. are you certain that's the correct model number?  How long have you owned this fridge and has anyone worked on it prior to you? 

Part number: AP3889537

 

Edited February 2, 2016 by DurhamAppliance

[Mrham]

Thanks for the quick answer back.

 

I did see in the parts diagram it calls for a damper! However I took it totally apart and cannot find it anywhere nor a spot it could go. I took a couple pictures and as you can see it doesn't look anything like the diagram or part picture listed. It has two leads for the light bulb and two leads for the thermistor.

The part I have has a very thin clear piece of plastic that loosely flaps but it is not controlled by anything it is just taped on.

Here is a link to my pictures https://drive.google.com/folder/d/0B6ss16N3r5LALVRaUGVXS2xwUDg/edit

[Mrham]

I also checked the model number again and it should be correct. I uploaded a photo of the sticker!

Thank you. 

[DurhamAppliance]

thin plastic? .... now you tell us!  lol.....most models with the "mylar damper" can be converted to a mortorized damper.. it's odd yours doesn't come up as being compatible...   ok.. first make sure nothing is blocking the ff air return port.... if not then the following should work

Part number: AP3186598

 

"The electrical connector (plug) used for the motorized 
damper is still located in the refrigerator liner. It is approved 
to use a motorized damper in place of a Mylar damper in 
cases involving high usage, when all other service checks 
have been performed. The electronic control board is 
capable of running either type of damper. 
Motorized Damper – WR09X10050"

Edited February 2, 2016 by DurhamAppliance

[DurhamAppliance]

From the bulletin :

[Budget Appliance Repair]

Durham, do you know what the difference between those two different dampers are that you referenced, (besides the price, $87 for the WR09x10050 compared to $48 for the WR60x10215)?

The first one you referenced WR60x10215 is the only one that comes up as compatible, (in APP's compatibility checker),  with the model number that is being referenced here, (I know that isn't definitive).  Also you would have to remove the light wires from the old molex plug and install them into the new one if you want the light to work.

Does the insert that has the mylar flap come out of the housing cover?  Otherwise it appears the motorized damper wouldn't fit into the cover assembly.

For the repair questions regarding WR60x10215 they reference a complete damper motor/cover/thermistor and light socket with a new light bulb all as one assembly for a GSH25JFTFWW model that is only $11.00 more then just the WR60x10215 damper motor assembly.  Do you know if this complete assembly would sub in, (it shows in the list of models that use this part a model number GSH22JFXMWW that should be very close to the OP's model?

Part number: WR02X13565

Edited February 2, 2016 by Budget Appliance Repair

[Mrham]

The Mylar flap "vent" I have can not be removed to install a controled damper in its place. It is all one piece plus it has a light. If I installed wr09x10050 it would plug in but I would lose the light and cover. Even it I could fit it in somehow.

The combo damper and cover/light might work/fit, Wro2x13565. I just wonder why all of a sudden it is doing this and it never had a damper defore?

I will check the ff air return port too. I did check the freezer side on the bottom and it is open. I did not know there was a fresh port too, thought there was only one hole at the top. Guessing it is on the bottom side? Maybe it is blocked.

Thanks

[DurhamAppliance]

Budget,  I had initially posted the part you are suggesting until I remembered the bulletin.  I then changed my suggestion based on the bulletin despite my earlier research. Unfortunately I cannot answer your excellent questions as I have not done this repair.  This is just one if those things I've learned a few years back while perusing this site. 

Edited February 2, 2016 by DurhamAppliance

[Budget Appliance Repair]

From my research, if I were purchasing a damper to replace the mylar one I would get the complete unit WR02x13565.

When you lookup your model or a model that uses the WR02x13565 kit they both show to use the WR60x10215 damper motor & thermistor, (without the light wires), if you are looking for just the damper door and motor.   All the other damper parts for the two models are the same except for the outer damper cover - if you look for just the damper cover for the GSH22JFXMWW model it subs to the complete kit, so I couldn't compare it with just the cover that is available for your model, (which I believe the mylar damper holder frame will come out of the cover, although it might be factory glued in - I've never worked on one of these myself).

[adamsappl12]

Had one of these today with the mylar damper. It was freezing the food as well but it made me wonder how does it change the temperature in the refrig section when you adjust the control colder? Does the freezer fan run faster? There is nothing mechanically opening and closing just the plastic damper