Community Forums

jimnlo1949 · 06-06-2023, 04:54 PM

Our 2018 Ventana Whirlpool residential refrigerator has died and we can replace it with basically the same model with same dimensions. Has anyone had to replace their similar unit with 30" width, 34" depth (with doors on) and 68" height, a french door unit with water dispenser in the door. Looks like 29.5" actual from the drawings and wondering how difficult it is to pass through the entry door. I suppose if it does not easily pass through, we could get our appliance repair person to fix it, rather than taking extreme action like removing the windshield. Looking for experience with replacing this unit. Thanks.

Mr. T · 06-06-2023, 05:49 PM

Just curious, when you say died do you mean no power or is it making a "buzzing" sound?
Here's a post, (there are a few for troubleshooting) you might check out.
If your like me, I would only replace the fridge as a last resort so yours maybe a complete flaiure that's less expensive to remove/replace.

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f103/whi...ng-606332.html

ptw · 06-07-2023, 05:27 AM

I changed the capacitor and starter and our refrigerator and it still did not work. Turned out it was the compressor. I talked with my dealer. He said the refrigerator would have to go in the side window or windshield. They would add the part to lock the doors and the brackets on top to bolt it in. Probably ballpark somewhere around $3500 for the refrigerator and to do the work. They would most likely install it through the dinette window in the full wall slide. The refrigerator in my coach sells for about $1800 to $2000 in stores.

I wanted a new refrigerator but we were leaving on a trip and the timing wasn't going to work. Ended up calling Whirlpool service person. They diagnosed it and put a new compressor in for around $1400. I thought it should be less, but being parked in a nice resort in the middle of nowhere probably didn't help. The refrigerator has been working very well now since March.

Country Road · 06-07-2023, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptw

I changed the capacitor and starter and our refrigerator and it still did not work. Turned out it was the compressor. I talked with my dealer. He said the refrigerator would have to go in the side window or windshield. They would add the part to lock the doors and the brackets on top to bolt it in. Probably ballpark somewhere around $3500 for the refrigerator and to do the work. They would most likely install it through the dinette window in the full wall slide. The refrigerator in my coach sells for about $1800 to $2000 in stores.

I wanted a new refrigerator but we were leaving on a trip and the timing wasn't going to work. Ended up calling Whirlpool service person. They diagnosed it and put a new compressor in for around $1400. I thought it should be less, but being parked in a nice resort in the middle of nowhere probably didn't help. The refrigerator has been working very well now since March.

Yes, replacing should be a last resort.

jacwjames · 06-07-2023, 07:07 AM

Have you done any work on diagnosing the problem. What were the symptoms??? It might be fixable

A friend has a Whirlpool refrigerator, last year it died, he immediately went out and bought a new one and then called me.

I went over there and I got the model number and did some searches for common problems. Two came up. One was a relay that turns the compressor on and off, so I advised him to try that, it was available locally for ~$30. Didn't fix it.
The next thing was a control board, more expensive ~$150 so he ordered one from Amazon (so if it didn't work he could send it back). He installed and the had to go through a setup process that I found on line. It worked. So now he has the old refrigerator for beer and other stuff

twojayhawks · 06-07-2023, 07:37 AM

Sorry I can't offer anything regarding a residential fridge switch out as I haven't done it. Like other posts I also would throw more money at repairing versus a change out. I'm kind of surprised the appliance tech can't diagnose the issue & quote repair.

jimnlo1949 · 06-08-2023, 08:49 AM

The plan is to have the fridge pulled out of the hole to a position where it can be diagnosed by our repair person and we'll go from there as traditionally, Whirlpool is one of the most reliable brands but that can be undone for any electrical appliance when you shake, rattle and roll it up and down the road, plus plug it into sometimes dubious power. I was looking for a bit of guidance in case we have to replace the unit and sounds like we may wind up in that windshield-out scenario if we have to swap out.

palehorse89 · 06-08-2023, 10:22 AM

They are counter depth fridge's, 28" with the door's off. Measure your front door........ I took the Whirlpool bottom freezer out last summer, had to remove the passenger seat, screen door, and take the main door latching bracket at the top off so the door could swing forward to the front mirror and out the door it came strapped to a dolly.
Bought a GE counter depth side by side w/ice/water in the door from Home Depot, free delivery to my house. Fit perfectly and the aluminum trim that was around the Whirlpool from Newmar also worked around the fridge.
Kenmore/ Whirlpool was always my family's go to for the home's, no more, junk made in North Korea! Nothing but GE now for me.
My expensive Kenmore Elite in my house crapped out in 4 yrs. and was very expensive! A new GE replaced that one also.........

ptw · 06-09-2023, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by palehorse89

They are counter depth fridge's, 28" with the door's off. Measure your front door........

My refrigerator measures 29" with the doors off. The inside metal portion of the door frame measures 27". Don't know how much work it is to take out the door frame. My dealer said the side window or the windshield for my Dutch Star. The dinette widow is about 32" high but the cabinet above it would need to be removed.

PaulTNaples · 06-10-2023, 02:02 AM

If your handy there are many threads describing the process of unbolting the refrigerator to allow it to be pulled away from the wall. This allows access for the whirlpool tech to diagnose and fix. It’s much cheaper to repair than to replace. If you can’t unbolt it, hire a RV Mobile tech to do it.

BIGFISHMILO · 07-15-2023, 09:56 AM

My domatic ndr1292 is 20 years old, freezer works great, regfrig want go lower than 50 degrees. any suggestions?

RudysDad · 07-15-2023, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIGFISHMILO

My domatic ndr1292 is 20 years old, freezer works great, regfrig want go lower than 50 degrees. any suggestions?

Check the thermistor. Could have been moved or possibly bad.

Country Road · 07-15-2023, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIGFISHMILO

My domatic ndr1292 is 20 years old, freezer works great, regfrig want go lower than 50 degrees. any suggestions?

Welcome. You may get more answers if you start a new thread with your current problem. Also, you can do a search using the search engine for past similar problems.

But you’re here, so I’ll just tell you that your problem is the classic description of an air flow problem. Remove your lower outside air vent and try to set up a fan to help force air into and out of the rear of the refrigerator. It will take till morning to see if it helps, but my bet is that it will. Nothing lost to try.

If it helps, you can install an auxiliary fan like one made by Titan for around a $100 that’s made for that purpose. I put one in my daughter’s old coach that was automatic and it lowered her temp 20 degrees and would run only when needed. Good luck.