Category Archives: Refrigerator Repair

Ice from the ice maker has a funny smell and aftertaste

Your Name: David

Type of Appliance: Ice Maker

Brand: whirlpool

Model Number: 628370rev.a

Your Precious Words:
The ice from my ice maker has a funny smell and aftertaste. This ice maker replaced an older one of the same model. The previous one did not seem to have this problem. What do you think it could be?

Hi David,

It’s probably just the finish on the ice maker mold.

Like we learned in Navy Boot Camp: anything new is dirty. You don’t know what’s on the mold in the ice maker- could be residual oils, dusts from the factory, dirty fingers from workers… who knows?

When I install a new ice maker, I like to at least give the ice mold a good rinse with hot water. You don’t need to go Howard Hughes sterile, you’re just trying to get it reasonably clean.

Then I always tell the customer to dump the first three batches of ice. After that, they’re good to go.

Also, it’s always a good idea to make sure the water filter in your refrigerator is fresh and changed every six months, even if you’re on city water. Maybe I should say especially if you’re on city water! Some city water tastes like a dirty swimming pool. A filter that’s changed regularly will really help cut out the smells and garbage that can become amplified when the water is made into ice cubes. If your refrigerator isn’t equipped with a water filter, it’s easy to install an add-on filter.

We carry water filters for every brand and model of refrigerator, including universal add-on filters; come get one for your refrigerator here ==> http://www.repairclinic.com/Filter-Parts?s=t-refrigerator+water+filters-%3d%3dc43?RCAID=24038

You can find whatever appliance part you need through the parts search box at www.fixitnow.com. No harm in buying and trying with our 365-day, no-hassle return policy, even on electrical parts that were installed!

Subscribe to our FREE, award-winning newsletter, Appliantology: The Oracle of Appliance Enlightenment ==> http://newsletter.fixitnow.com and download your free report on appliance brand recommendations! Every issue is jam-packed with appliance repair tips and inside information direct from the Samurai’s fingertips to your engorged and tingling eyeballs.

Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Where is the high voltage board in a Maytag bottom-mount refrigerator?

Your Name: paul

Type of Appliance: Refrigerator

Brand: maytag

Model Number: mfd2561heb

Your Precious Words:
freezer works, fridge temp. stuck at 68, think it’s the high voltage board. Where is it and how do I change it?

Hi Paul,

This diagram shows you where the HV board is located:

High Voltage Board In A Maytag Bottom Mount Refrigerator

And you can buy the replacement board with a 365-day return policy here ==> http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Main-Control-Board/12782036SP/1515036

Having said all that to give a direct answer to your question, let me just add that, based on your problem description– cold freezer, warm fridge– I doubt very much that HV board is bad. If it were, you’d have a warm freezer, too, because the HV board powers the compressor which does all the cooling.

I think it’s much more likely that you’ve had a defrost failure. Removing the back panel to inside the freezer to look at the evaporator coil frost pattern will tell the story. If it’s choked in with frost like this one, you can be sure that’s the problem:

Excessive Frosting on the Evaporator

You can find whatever appliance part you need through the parts search box at www.fixitnow.com. No harm in buying and trying with our 365-day, no-hassle return policy, even on electrical parts that were installed!

Subscribe to our FREE, award-winning newsletter, Appliantology: The Oracle of Appliance Enlightenment ==> http://newsletter.fixitnow.com and download your free report on appliance brand recommendations! Every issue is jam-packed with appliance repair tips and inside information direct from the Samurai’s fingertips to your engorged and tingling eyeballs.

Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Sub-Zero 550 refrigerator service manual; won’t freeze ice cream

Your Name: Bill R

Type of Appliance: Refrigerator

Brand: Sub-Zero 550

Model Number: 550

Your Precious Words:
Would it be possible for you to send me the pdf of the Sub-zero service manual. I have one that may need some repairs. The freezer will freeze water but not ice cream. I’m thinking it might be the freon charge in the compressor. Thanks.

Hi Bill,

We have the Sub-Zero 500 series service manual in the Downloads section at our repair forums, here’s the link ==> http://appliantology.org/files/file/160-sub-zero-500-series-refrigerator-technical-service-manual/

You’ll need to be an Apprentice to download it; this page explains our Apprenticeship program ==> http://apprentice.appliantology.org/

As for the freezer warming up, troubleshoot this just like you would any other refrigerator– they all work the same way:

– Clean the condenser coil (the hot, dirty grill at the top by the compressor).

– Make sure the condenser fan is running and at full speed, should really be moving air through that coil.

– Make sure the door is closing all the way and the gaskets are making a good seal all the way around the perimeter and at the corners.

– Finally, if all the above checks good and the problem persists, it’s time to remove everything from the freezer, take out the inner back panel and get some eyeballs on the evaporator coil so you can see the frost pattern. If it looks like this, they’s big trouble in Little China:

Classic Sign of a Leaky Evaporator Coil in a Sub-Zero Refrigerator

If you need more help diagnosing or repairing your refrigerator, come start a new topic in our free appliance repair forums and we’ll get you fixed up ==> www.Appliantology.org

You can find whatever appliance part you need through the parts search box at www.fixitnow.com. No harm in buying and trying with our 365-day, no-hassle return policy, even on electrical parts that were installed!

Subscribe to our FREE, award-winning newsletter, Appliantology: The Oracle of Appliance Enlightenment ==> http://newsletter.fixitnow.com and download your free report on appliance brand recommendations! Every issue is jam-packed with appliance repair tips and inside information direct from the Samurai’s fingertips to your engorged and tingling eyeballs.

Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Refrigerator hums or whistles when running

Your Name: Barry

Type of Appliance: Refrigerator

Brand: hotpoint

Model Number: hss25gfph

Your Precious Words:
Hi, the refrigerator homs or whistles when running

Hi Barry,

This is almost always caused by a bad evaporator (freezer) fan motor. Just replace it. All good.

Here’s the evaporator fan motor for your particular model, comes with a 365-day return policy ==> http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Evaporator-Fan-Motor/WR60X10185/1170107?modelNumber=HSS25GFPHWW

For folks reading this who have other refrigerator brands or model numbers, same thing applies; you can buy your replacement evaporator fan motor here with a 365-day return policy ==> http://www.repairclinic.com/Refrigerator-Parts?RCAID=24038

If you need disassembly or installation help, come start a new topic in our free repair forums and we’ll show you how to do it ==> www.Appliantology.org

You can find whatever appliance part you need through the parts search box at www.fixitnow.com. No harm in buying and trying with our 365-day, no-hassle return policy, even on electrical parts that were installed!

Subscribe to our FREE, award-winning newsletter, Appliantology: The Oracle of Appliance Enlightenment ==> http://newsletter.fixitnow.com and download your free report on appliance brand recommendations! Every issue is jam-packed with appliance repair tips and inside information direct from the Samurai’s fingertips to your engorged and tingling eyeballs.

Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Refrigerator warm, freezer normal

Your Name: Rob

Type of Appliance: Refrigerator

Brand: Samsung

Model Number: RS2530bsh

Your Precious Words:
Hello

Refrigerator is warm, around 60F, the freezer is normal.

Do you have any suggestions?

Hi Rob,

First thing to do is to disassemble the freezer and see if you have lots of frost and ice built up on the evaporator coil. If you do, then you’ve probably had a defrost heater failure.

Here’s the replacement defrost heater for your Samsung refrigerator with a 365-day return policy ==> http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Defrost-Heater-Assembly/DA4700154A/1863986?RCAID=24038

If the defrost heater is okay, then troubleshoot this one like you would any other refrigerator: with the Warm Refrigerator Troubleshooting Flowchart:

http://fixitnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/39305150-Warm-Refrigerator-Troubleshooting-Flowchart.pdf

You can find whatever appliance part you need through the parts search box at www.fixitnow.com. No harm in buying and trying with our 365-day, no-hassle return policy, even on electrical parts that were installed!

Subscribe to our FREE, award-winning newsletter, Appliantology: The Oracle of Appliance Enlightenment ==> http://newsletter.fixitnow.com and download your free report on appliance brand recommendations! Every issue is jam-packed with appliance repair tips and inside information direct from the Samurai’s fingertips to your engorged and tingling eyeballs.

Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Mylar Damper Assembly used on GE Refrigerators

A Mylar damper has been used in some metal liner SXS refrigerators since June 2007. Here’s some troubleshooting help on it.

http://getfile3.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/fixitnow/O1Ml2GkFtYI73YSHAJ22WcHHmbtqBKTwjsAkMEV7BEvMrcofnZlgr1Xx7RQa/GE-refrigerator-Mylar-Damper.pdf

You can find whatever appliance part you need through the parts search box at www.fixitnow.com. No harm in buying and trying with our 365-day, no-hassle return policy, even on electrical parts that were installed!

Subscribe to our FREE, award-winning newsletter, Appliantology: The Oracle of Appliance Enlightenment ==> http://newsletter.fixitnow.com and download your free report on appliance brand recommendations! Every issue is jam-packed with appliance repair tips and inside information direct from the Samurai’s fingertips to your engorged and tingling eyeballs.

Samurai Appliance Repair Man
http://fixitnow.com

The Appliantology Academy
http://appliantology.org

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GE refrigerator freezing food – How to check the damper and thermistors in a GE refrigerator

If your GE refrigerator is freezing food in the fresh food compartment (also called the “beer section”), then the two prime suspects are 1) the damper and 2) the thermistors (in that order).

The damper is the air port that lets cold air in from the freezer section to chill the beer section. You can see a diagram of the damper and troubleshooting flowchart on this page for most side by side units ==> http://fixitnow.com/wp/2010/01/17/ge-profile-pss25-refrigerator-freezing-everything-in-the-fresh-food-compartment-regardless-of-temperature-setting-and-the-water-dispenser-quit-working-too/

A common problem with the GE refrigerator dampers is that the flapper will freeze in the open position or break off from the motor. You can check this visually by disassembling enough inside the beer section to get some eyeballs on the damper. Or you can actuate the damper in diagnostic mode and listen for it to open and close.

If your damper flapper is broken, you can buy the replacement damper and fan assembly with a 365-day return policy here:

Upper-line GE side by side refrigerators ==> http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Damper-and-Fan-Assembly/WR49X10091/1055112?RCAID=24038

Lower-end GE side by side refrigerators ==> http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Damper-Control-Assembly/WR09X10050/879153?RCAID=24038

Depending on whether or not your unit has the Custom Cool feature, your GE refrigerator will have four or five thermistors. This page shows the locations of them ==> http://fixitnow.com/wp/2010/06/30/ge-profile-and-arctica-refrigerators-upgraded-thermistors/

And you can buy the replacement thermistors with a 365-day return policy here ==> http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Thermistor/WR55X10025/914093?RCAID=24038

This article has detailed instructions and tips for checking the thermistors, download and share with your friends! 8)

http://fixitnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/GERefrigeratorAppliantologyDampersandThermistors.pdf

If you do need to replace the thermistors, this page has illustrated instructions for how to do it correctly ==> http://appliantology.org/blog/1/entry-337-how-to-properly-replace-the-thermistors-in-a-refrigerator-an-illustrated-and-annotated-guide/

Appliantology Newsletter: Making Refrigerator Water Safe

Appliantology Newsletter
Making Refrigerator Water Safe
Mid-April 2012
What kind of gookus is lurking in the water and ice from your refrigerator?
What kind of gookus is lurking in your water?Short answer: you don’t wanna know! As the water filter in your refrigerator removes bad taste and scale from the water used in your ice maker and fountain, it accumulates lots of poisonous yucky stuff often found in tap water such as lead, asbestos, chlorine, giardia, cysts, pesticides, and herbicides. But after six to 12 months of use, the water filter becomes saturated and needs to be replaced because it’s no longer filtering out the bad stuff. Instead, you’re drinking it all in. Replacing the water filter is a snap and we have replacement filters for all brands and models of refrigerators and even add-on filters. Check out our selection of refrigerator water filters.
Adding an ice maker to your refrigerator is a snap!
Looking to replace your dearly departed icemaker? Sick of filling ice cube trays and you’re finally ready to install an icemaker kit in your fridge? Figuring out which kit you need can be confusing. Let this handy table be your guiding light.
And check out these recent episodes of our award-winning podcast:
Death By Chocolate
This decadent dessert is a legend at our parish’s Paschal (Easter) feast – the serving bowl is often literally licked clean when everyone is done! It’s super easy because it relies on box mixes and Cool Whip, but somehow the combination of the various ingredients results in a surprisingly tasty and even elegant completed dish. Come git you some!
The Appliantology Academy www.Appliantology.org

Refrigerator runs too cold, freezes food by the vent and compressor runs constantly

Your Name: Hec

Type of Appliance: Refrigerator

Brand: GE

Model Number: HTS16HBMFRWW

Your Precious Words:
I have a GE Hotpoint top freezer unit. The unit condensor fan in the bottom back runs constantly. Food will freeze if under vent. Currently, manageable at temp 1. The unit will turn off at the temp control (thermostat) if I turn to “0”. Other notes: my wife recently clean the coils (while plugged in) even though manual says to unplug it. The unit was backed up almost against the wall (bad air circulation) with lots of dust in the carboard-like grill. The light switch and thermostat have continuity by me checking them with a voltmeter (read near 0). I’ve attached the tech sheet. Any ideas?? Please HELP!! I’d love to fix this. “Teach me the ways of the samurai”

http://fixitnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/GE-HTS16HBMFRWW-Refrigerator-Tech-Sheet.pdf

Ahh, Grasshoppah, it is my pleasure to teach you the Ways of the Samurai. Come, sit at my feet while I make your enemies your footstool…

What you have here is a simple case of a cold control with welded contactitis. The cold control is the control that the temperature dial knob is connected to, the knob you have set at “1”. It’s not uncommon for the little electrical contacts inside it to wear over time, start arcing and eventually fuse together so they can no longer open in response to temperature changes. The control cuts off when you turn it to “0” because that’s a different internal mechanism. They are not field repairable– just replace it. This is the replacement cold control for your refrigerator, comes with a 365-day return policy ==> http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Temperature-Control/WR9X547/311070?RCAID=24038

If you need help installing it, we can help you with this in the Appliantology Academy ==> www.Appliantology.org

You can find whatever appliance part you need through the parts search box here at Fixitnow.com. No harm in buying and trying with our 365-day, no-hassle return policy, even on electrical parts that were installed!

Subscribe to our FREE, award-winning newsletter, Appliantology: The Oracle of Appliance Enlightenment ==> http://newsletter.fixitnow.com and download your free report on appliance brand recommendations! Every issue is jam-packed with appliance repair tips and inside information direct from the Samurai’s fingertips to your engorged and tingling eyeballs.

Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Refrigerator section not cold enough but freezer temperature is good and air flow seems okay

Your Name: Paul

Type of Appliance: Refrigerator

Brand: Whirlpool

Model Number: ED25TEXHN01

Your Precious Words:
Seems that I can’t get the refrigerator section cold enough. Temp in the freezer reads 5 deg F while my the refrigerator reads 40 deg F steadystate. I’ve got the damper set for Freezer to Warmest and the Thermostat set to Refrigerator to Coldest. Airflow between the Freezer and Refrigerator seem good.

Hi Paul,

The freezer should be able to run at 0 degrees F with no problem. If you’re having problems achieving 0F in the freezer, then you probably need to clean the condenser coils. See this post for more on that ==> http://fixitnow.com/wp/2012/04/07/how-to-clean-a-refrigerator-condenser-yourself-video/

But even at 5 deg F in the freezer, the only other reasons for the fresh food compartment (or “beer section”) staying too warm are the following:

1. Air flow problem.

This could be the air flow between the freezer and the beer section. You mentioned that the air flow seems good but I’m not sure how you’re assessing that. You should be able to feel the air blowing into the beer compartment from the freezer through the damper. But you should also check the return port. Since this refrigerator is a side-by-side unit, the return port will be located at the bottom, beside the crisper drawers. Not unusual to see this port get blocked by an errant plastic bag or some other debris.

The other thing that can affect air flow is door gaskets. Carefully check the door seal on the beer compartment door all the way around using a Federal Reserve Note. Close the Note in the door and pull it out, should give some resistance when you tug. Repeat this all along the perimeter, noting any gaps, tears, or shrinkage as these will all allow warmer, outside air into the compartment.

2. Light stuck on.

This one is less common, especially in Whirlpool refrigerators but can still happen. Easiest way to check this is by opening the beer compartment door and immediately reaching back and touching the light bulb before it’s had a chance to warm up. Should feel cold. If it’s hot to the touch, then you know the light is staying on when the door is closed and you’ll need to troubleshoot this. Could just be a bad door switch or the door liner isn’t striking the switch correctly. We can help you troubleshoot this in the Appliantology Academy ==> www.Appliantology.org

You can find whatever appliance part you need through the parts search box here at Fixitnow.com. No harm in buying and trying with our 365-day, no-hassle return policy, even on electrical parts that were installed!

Subscribe to our FREE, award-winning newsletter, Appliantology: The Oracle of Appliance Enlightenment ==> http://newsletter.fixitnow.com and download your free report on appliance brand recommendations! Every issue is jam-packed with appliance repair tips and inside information direct from the Samurai’s fingertips to your engorged and tingling eyeballs.

Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Kitchenaid built-in ice maker troubleshooting flowcharts

The icemakers in these KitchenAid refrigerators are actually built by Whirlpool Corporation (as is the whole refrigerator itself). So the troubleshooting information will be identical. Here are a couple docs that’ll help you fix a problem with these ice makers:

Troubleshooting Flowchart for the Ice Maker Itself:

http://fixitnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/21562311-Troubleshooting-the-Whirlpool-Modular-Icemaker.pdf



Troubleshooting Flowchart for the Optical Controls for the Ice Maker:

http://fixitnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/TroubleshootingOpticalIcemakerSystem.pdf

To learn more about your ice maker, or to order parts, click here.

Flex tray ice maker in a Samsung refrigerator not making ice [podcast]

Your Name: K. Gaff

Type of Appliance: Ice Maker

Brand: Samsung

Model Number: RS2533VQ

Your Precious Words:
I can hear the electric connection click when moving the arm to the right side of the unit up and down. Tray is in the dump position,and will not rotate by hand. No water is currently in fill tube. Wife says, I need to fix it right now or no supper.

Click the play button in the audio player below to hear my reply:

How to clean a dryer vent yourself [video]

Most folks know that their dryer vent should be cleaned out periodically for safety and to help keep the dryer running at peak efficiency. But not everyone is familiar enough with their dryer or venting to know how to clean their dryer vent. Here are some things that’ll help you do it yourself and save money.

A good, inexpensive tool that’ll help you do a good job cleaning your dryer vent is a dryer vent brush ==> http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/20-Foot-Vent-Cleaning-Brush/18001034/424663

And this repair video shows you how to do it:

This screencast explains how the dryer vent affects drying time in dryers:

To learn more about your dryer, or to order parts, click here.

How to clean a refrigerator condenser yourself [video]

Most folks know that their condenser needs to be cleaned periodically but not everyone is familiar enough with their refrigerator to be comfortable doing that. This short little video shows you exactly how to safely and quickly clean the condenser on your refrigerator to keep it running at peak efficiency. You can do it!

Here are a couple things that’ll help you do a good job cleaning the condenser:

Condenser brush ==> http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Long-Handled-Bristle-Brush/5303318693/12859

Vacuum attachment for cleaning condensers ==> http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Vacuum-Hose-Attachment/8171579A/1544893

To learn more about your refrigerator, or to order parts, click here.

How to clean a refrigerator condenser and other simple routine maintenance that anyone can (and should) do

Your Name: Shelly

Type of Appliance: Refrigerator

Brand: whirlpool

Model Number: edsgtgxnq00

Your Precious Words:
Outside of refrig sides and middle strip hot have cleaned front of coils but back coils dirty can I take back off to clean and will I beable to see the condenser fan?

Hi Shelly,

You’re definitely on the right track! That condenser is exactly what needs to be cleaned. Ahh, Grasshoppah, you have learned well; you have snatched the pebble from my hand!

The only thing you lack now is the confidence to carry on with your convictions and your good instincts. The short answer to your question is, “Yes, remove the back to clean the back of the condenser. Also, use a condenser brush from the front for best cleaning results.”

Watch the video below and it will guide you further in this simple maintenance task and others as well.

To learn more about your refrigerator, or to order parts, click here.