Freezer is Cold & Refrigerator is Warm

[CountValentine]

Error 1020 Ray ID: 69493bd1bb501768 • 2021-09-26 02:58:59 UTC
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[CountValentine]

Do you want help diagnosing?

He is trying a force defrost to see if that is working.

[yos9694]

He is trying a force defrost to see if that is working.

What fridge model? High end fridges have a programming mode you can enter and one of the options is manual defrost. The tech sheet will tell you what option number (test). You can find the tech sheet under the door hinge that doesn't have a wire- unscrew the cap thats on the hinge

You can also test if defrost is working by measuring ohms resistance on the defrost heater wires

[yesitsme]

I just went through this! A few pointers

1. Diagnosing the problem is critical- there's a hundred different parts that could cause this so you could spend forever trying to fix it if you do trial and error
2. Cheap used parts on ebay are a good way to go- at least to prove which part you needed. You can always buy a new part later to replace the used one
3. If there's a refrigerant leak, there's not much you can do. Finding the hole is difficult and often it's in a place that can't be repaired or replaced

Do you want help diagnosing?

I cant find any instructions how to see or replace the fan for wrf535swhz00

[yesitsme]

What fridge model? High end fridges have a programming mode you can enter and one of the options is manual defrost. The tech sheet will tell you what option number (test). You can find the tech sheet under the door hinge that doesn't have a wire- unscrew the cap thats on the hinge

You can also test if defrost is working by measuring ohms resistance on the defrost heater wires

wrf535swhz00

[CountValentine]

You can also test if defrost is working by measuring ohms resistance on the defrost heater wires

That only tells you the heater element is good.

[yos9694]

wrf535swhz00

Similar to mine... ok! The tech sheet is under the right door hinge. Try to find the test number that does manual defrost (it should be in the 30's or 40's). You can enter programming mode by holding down the left 2 buttons on the panel for 3 seconds.

That only tells you the heater element is good.

Which is an important part of the equation. He can also test the defrotst thermostat, which is what turns it on amd off in the first place.

[yos9694]

OP, if you want to try and diagnost this the first thing to do is take a look at the coils. Are your condenser coils clean? If not vacuum them. Can you open up the panel that covers the evaporator coils? I think it would help if you could take a picture of the frozen coils- there's a lot to learn from where the ice build up happens

[yesitsme]

Similar to mine... ok! The tech sheet is under the right door hinge. Try to find the test number that does manual defrost (it should be in the 30's or 40's). You can enter programming mode by holding down the left 2 buttons on the panel for 3 seconds.

Which is an important part of the equation. He can also test the defrotst thermostat, which is what turns it on amd off in the first place.

fridge door?
top hinge?

https://applianceassistant.com/Refrigerator-Repair/W10503278-Refrigerator-Control-Forced-Defrost_Pg3.php
this works, it does come up a L or S are you referring to something more advanced?

[yesitsme]

OP, if you want to try and diagnost this the first thing to do is take a look at the coils. Are your condenser coils clean? If not vacuum them. Can you open up the panel that covers the evaporator coils? I think it would help if you could take a picture of the frozen coils- there's a lot to learn from where the ice build up happens

no they are dusty
by now there is no build up, its warm
the back of the fridge would freeze

where are the evaporator coils?

I just noticed the magnet that seals the door has three small rips

[CountValentine]

Which is an important part of the equation. He can also test the defrotst thermostat, which is what turns it on amd off in the first place.

I was pointing out testing the coil does not mean the defrost is working. That would be the last thing to check as it is a pain.

If he can figure out the forced defrost he can check the whole circuit at once.

[yos9694]

The fans are in the same place as the evaporator coils

The evap coils are behind a panel in the back of the freezer. A few screw hold it on but you need to clear a path to access (empty the freezer, remove drawers, etc). There's also a second evap coil in the fridge below the air tower.

If the seal is ripped that might be the culprit though! Can you tell if its ripped enough to leak air?

[CountValentine]

where are the evaporator coils?

#22
https://www.partselect.com/Models/WRF535SWHZ00/Sections/Unit-Parts/?ModelID=7182738&ModelNum=WRF535SWHZ00&mfgModelNum=&ManufactureID=3&Selected=5AA411A72317589BAA068BF7A50FBAB0C271AE88&Position=9&mfg=Whirlpool&Type=Refrigerator&Mark=9

[CountValentine]

If the seal is ripped that might be the culprit though! Can you tell if its ripped enough to leak air?

Close the rip part on a piece of paper. See if the paper is easy to pull out.

[aygart]

It is very common for children to leave the drawers under french door fridges open a drop. This leads to ice buildup which can cause this issue.

[yesitsme]

It is very common for children to leave the drawers under french door fridges open a drop. This leads to ice buildup which can cause this issue.

its part of my routine before  go to sleep i check if all doors are locked and if all fridge and freezers are closed properly

[yos9694]

I was pointing out testing the coil does not mean the defrost is working. That would be the last thing to check as it is a pain.

If he can figure out the forced defrost he can check the whole circuit at once.

Very true. The best place to start diagnosis is by checking the easy stuff. Clean the condenser coils, make sure the door seals are good. Then I'd go into diagnostic mode and do the tests one at a time, e.g. thermistors, fans, defrost, etc. If all those tests pass then it could be a control board or some other parts that can only be tested manually. Or check for coolant leak

[yesitsme]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R223JNXW15VLB5/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B07CWG3T5Y

my neighbor told me he had the same issue and it was the fan motor, so its 1 of the 2, fan motor or control board
 

[yesitsme]

Very true. The best place to start diagnosis is by checking the easy stuff. Clean the condenser coils, make sure the door seals are good. Then I'd go into diagnostic mode and do the tests one at a time, e.g. thermistors, fans, defrost, etc. If all those tests pass then it could be a control board or some other parts that can only be tested manually. Or check for coolant leak

coolant leak would cause the freezer to have issues as well

[CountValentine]

Very true. The best place to start diagnosis is by checking the easy stuff. Clean the condenser coils, make sure the door seals are good. Then I'd go into diagnostic mode and do the tests one at a time, e.g. thermistors, fans, defrost, etc. If all those tests pass then it could be a control board or some other parts that can only be tested manually. Or check for coolant leak

Can you walk him through a forced defrost?