Kitchenaid not cooling/freezing enough

[iirmischer]

Hi, My refrigerator has gradually stopped cooling properly. Currently, it cools the freezer to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit and the fridge to about 48 degrees fahrenheit. I have it on settings to cool to -o F and 32F. I had a tech come out and he said he couldn't fix it. it was a system problem. I have some pictures I attach.  the middle picture is the fridge and the bottom is the freezer. there is lots of frost in the fridge.

[Vance R]

Actually that is not frost it has turned to ice. Need to deice that evaporator. Couple of ways to proceed, 1 unplug refrig and remove all the food then leave the refrig doors open until all that ice melts on the inside of the evaporator - can take a couple of days to fully melt. 2. unplug the refrig and remove the food in the fresh food section and use a steamer to melt all the ice. Either way the evaporator cover has  come off and all the ice needs to be gone. The easiest fix is to replace the defrost thermistor and zip tie the thermistor to the suction line. There is a service bulletin about this issue with a long list of recommended checks and possible items to replace.

[iirmischer]

Hey Vance, Thanks so much for the comment. I have started the dethaw.

 

question:

did you say the evaporator has come off or I need to remove the evaporator cover?

 

do you think this is worth repairing it getting a new one?

I am quite handy, do you think it is something I can fix? can you point me in the right direction for the service bulletin.

 

thanks again,

Ian

[Josh Smith]

Evap cover has to come off the evaporator is part of the sealed system dont remove that. May just be a defrost or plugged drain problem.  Check the drain hose for obstructions or build up, and/or and iced up evap drain.

[iirmischer]

thx much.

[Vance R]

3 hours ago, iirmischer said:

I need to remove the evaporator cover?

This one, all the ice must be melted.

[iirmischer]

Thanks Vance, And then you say it can be a number of different things but the easiest to fix is the Thermister? How do I know if it is the thermister?  It is all de iced now. The little plastic tray is broken but since there isn't water everywhere, I am assuming that it is draining out properly.. What is next?

[Vance R]

Since you mentioned the drain tray being broken it will need to be replaced. The evap will need to be close to the back wall as possible. With the thermister being in cased in ice it is possible the covering has been compromised and moisture will change the temp response. 

[iirmischer]

3 hours ago, Vance R said:

The evap will need to be close to the back wall as possible. With the thermister being in cased in ice it is possible the covering has been compromised and moisture will change the temp response. 

I am not sure exactly what you are saying here. Do you have a good place to find part number for the broken tray and the thermister?

[Vance R]

Online would be part dr, repair clinic, appliance parts pros, sears parts direct.

 

[iirmischer]

Hi All, I finally got some time to take off the eaprator cover and get a look at the inside. The drain tray likely broke because of ice buildup (see picture). I will epoxy that back together. I had some coloring in it when I removed it (see picture). How should I troubleshoot the overall problem and fix. Can anyone tell from the pictures what might be the problem and what to do next. I don't think the drain is plugged becuase all the ice drained out ok. 

[iirmischer]

Here are two more pictures.

[max999]

On 8/30/2021 at 10:46 PM, iirmischer said:

a good place to find pa

by the way were you able to resolve your issue? I have identical problem with my fridge. 

thanks

Max.