Kenmore Fridge/Freezer Help

[Sarge76]

Thanks in advance to you all. 

Kenmore elite French door Model 795.74033.411

Problem started with both Refrigerator and Freezer not cooling.  This Unit has the dreaded FLB075LANA compressor.  In hopes that the compressor had not tanked, I replaced the following: Temperature Sensors LG ACM73919214 Temperature Sensor, LG 6615JB2005R Temperature Sensor & LG ACQ73244001 Temperature Sensor.  Also replaced the main control board with a new one. 

I want to add that this refrigerator did not have Ice build up anywhere when problems commenced. Simply did not cool. Replacing the sensors and Board did not alleviate the problem.

Called sears and they sent a tech who identified the compressor as the problem and replaced it with A- TCA38151706 Compressor.

Unfortunately problems continue. After the compressor install, the refrigerator and freezer are cooling however, the freezers evaporator coil fan was not turning. Tech uses the button the control board to initiate test mode. This effectively turns on both fans for the Five minute test cycle. Tech comments that it is likely a bad control board and recommends I replace it. As I mentioned before, the board is new.  At this point I mention that Ill have to contact them for further repairs on pay day. 

I did a bit of research and it turns out that a control board flash or update is necessary when replacing the compressor(cant confirm as i am not a professional).  Tech tap dances around the question and I could tell he had no idea about it. Promises to get back to me at a later date.   Fast forward a few hours and the refrigerator fan is now only working intermittently while the freezer fan is still not working. Additionally, there is is build up near and on the brazing points of the compressor install. 

A lot of info to digest here. My apologies for that. 

My questions are :

(1) What do you believe may be causing the fan irregularity?(My money is on the control board needing to be flashed or updated)

(2) Do you feel the tech is lacking in experience given the lack of knowledge regarding the control board and the Ice build up around the brazing areas?(I'm not trying to bash the Tech, I don't have enough experience to question his knowledge.) 

(3) In your opinion, Should I contact a different tech service?

 

Attached are pictures of The Freezing points, Control Board, Replaced Freezer thermostats etc. 

 

[Vance R]

Looking over the pictures and it is kinda hard to tell for sure, but it looks like this tube is kinked. Possible restriction point. 

 

Next the parts

400a  acm73929214 is the freezer evap defrost controller

401a 6615jb2005r is the fresh food evap defrost controller

610c acq73244001 is the freezer thermistor

610d 6500jb2005r is the fresh food thermistor

500a ebr78946012 is the main pcb

From you list the freezer and fresh food defrost controllers, freezer thermistor plus the main board were changed out. Noticed you did not replace the fresh food thermistor. Please check the part numbers on the new and old board to see if they match.

 

Updating the main board is for matching the universal compressor to this model. Generally if the update is not done the refrigerator should work ok but, won't be as efficient as it should be energy wise. 

 

[Sarge76]

Thank you! So from what explained, I should replace the fresh food thermistor. Also, there is a Kink!  You spotted it somehow. 

Taking into account the Kink and the lack of a new fresh food thermistor, Would they be to blame or is there anything else that would prevent the freezer fan from running? I thought the fan may need replacing however it works in test mode so I'm not sure its broken.  Perhaps the freezer thermistor I installed is not working either.  It would be incredible bad luck but, do you feel the new PCB I bought may be broken as well?  Cant figure out what else would make the fan not run. 

I sent pictures to the Tech and he mentioned off hand how close the kink was to the housing. I hope he has something to shield the components from the heat. 

Also, These are the products I used to replace the older pieces:

Motherboard is EBR789406 (Pictures of both old/new attached

LG ACQ73244001 Temperature Sensor (Freezer)

LG ACM73919214 Temperature Sensor, Red (Freezer)

LG 6615JB2005R Temperature Sensor (Fresh Food Comp)

 

[Vance R]

On 2/6/2023 at 10:01 AM, Sarge76 said:

It would be incredible bad luck but, do you feel the new PCB I bought may be broken as well?

Not really. Couldn't get your picture of the board to enlarge. Need to read the part number tags that are on the large capacitors.

On 2/6/2023 at 10:01 AM, Sarge76 said:

Would they be to blame or is there anything else that would prevent the freezer fan from running?

Only if they were out of spec.  LG is kinda odd in that the fresh food and freezer thermistors have different specs. May want to double check.

 

[Sarge76]

14 hours ago, Vance R said:

Not really. Couldn't get your picture of the board to enlarge. Need to read the part number tags that are on the large capacitors.

Only if they were out of spec.  LG is kinda odd in that the fresh food and freezer thermistors have different specs. May want to double check.

 

14 hours ago, Vance R said:

Not really. Couldn't get your picture of the board to enlarge. Need to read the part number tags that are on the large capacitors.

Only if they were out of spec.  LG is kinda odd in that the fresh food and freezer thermistors have different specs. May want to double check.

 

On 2/5/2023 at 11:46 AM, Vance R said:

Looking over the pictures and it is kinda hard to tell for sure, but it looks like this tube is kinked. Possible restriction point. 

 Next the parts

400a  acm73929214 is the freezer evap defrost controller

401a 6615jb2005r is the fresh food evap defrost controller

610c acq73244001 is the freezer thermistor

610d 6500jb2005r is the fresh food thermistor

500a ebr78946012 is the main pcb

From you list the freezer and fresh food defrost controllers, freezer thermistor plus the main board were changed out. Noticed you did not replace the fresh food thermistor. Please check the part numbers on the new and old board to see if they match.

 

Updating the main board is for matching the universal compressor to this model. Generally if the update is not done the refrigerator should work ok but, won't be as efficient as it should be energy wise. 

 

Thank you. Sorry about the pictures, the upload system limits the quality. I have added a new picture with the capacitor details more clearly visible:

Old one is brown cap: EBR78940612 121501   200079

New Black Cap:           EBR789406 12 210827 08674

I have also ordered the new fresh compartment temp sensor and will likely order another freezer thermistor with the numbers you provided. 

Also due to arrive today is an LG Board Update usb/Dongle.  

Thank you again for hanging in there with me.

 

 

 

 

[Vance R]

Well the board part numbers look like they match. You going to try updating the board?

[Sarge76]

Yes, the update device should be here tomorrow and the freezer thermistor on Friday.  Last thermistor I ordered was a generic I believe. This time I'm getting an OEM....well at least the packaging said it was(Picture on ebay) 

[Sarge76]

Oh forgot to ask, I know the kink has to be corrected. What are the effects of having a kink in the tube?

[Vance R]

5 minutes ago, Sarge76 said:

What are the effects of having a kink in the tube?

Not a firm answer, but a possible restriction.

[Sarge76]

Hello all and I apologize for not posting lately. I finally received the update dongle to optimize the new main board and new compressor functionality.  Update was easy and went well.  Also replaced the freezer thermistor from a new generic replacement to a new OEM. Shortly after, I was surprised to see the fans running in both compartments without having to be in test mode. Previously the freezer condenser fan would not run with out jumping into test mode.

Unfortunately the victory was short lived.  Everything was cooling as expected but then I noticed both fans stopped running and the board was blinking six times. Research says six blinks is capacitor failure or obstruction. There is definitely a kink in the line as spotted by Vance.

Having replaced and updated the board as well as the new OEM freezer thermistor, do you all feel the kink is the main culprit.  What about the capacitor? I feel that if it is kicking on and cooling, the cap may be doing its job.  I am also trying to get he repair person come out and remove the kink. Thanks all for your input!

 

On 2/5/2023 at 11:46 AM, Vance R said:

Looking over the pictures and it is kinda hard to tell for sure, but it looks like this tube is kinked. Possible restriction point. 

 

Next the parts

400a  acm73929214 is the freezer evap defrost controller

401a 6615jb2005r is the fresh food evap defrost controller

610c acq73244001 is the freezer thermistor

610d 6500jb2005r is the fresh food thermistor

500a ebr78946012 is the main pcb

From you list the freezer and fresh food defrost controllers, freezer thermistor plus the main board were changed out. Noticed you did not replace the fresh food thermistor. Please check the part numbers on the new and old board to see if they match.

 

Updating the main board is for matching the universal compressor to this model. Generally if the update is not done the refrigerator should work ok but, won't be as efficient as it should be energy wise. 

 

 

[Vance R]

3 hours ago, Sarge76 said:

What about the capacitor?

They have been really reliable, but easy enough to test.