Whirlpool freezer temperature fluctuation

[grantmnc]

Hello all. I have a Whirlpool Residential fridge. The French door style with the freezer drawer on the bottom. We've noticed that the temperature will fluctuate greatly. From 5 to 20 degrees during the day. We have the freezer set to 5 snowflakes (max cooling) and the fridge set for 3 snowflakes. We notice that the freezer usually is cooler in the morning and warmer in the evening. I've cleaned the coils (what a pain, since the coils run side to side and there is no way to get a regular brush in there) with no real improvement. I've pulled the unit out from the wall enclosure thinking maybe the enclosure got too warm during the day. No noticeable change.



The compressor does not run a lot, so I am thinking it is not an issue with the compressor.



Perhaps a sensor?


Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

[gjames50]

Probably the Thermistor (sensor). Usually these are pretty inexpensive. If it is not this then probably the control board the sensor plugs into.

You can test a thermistor if you know it's range and rating. However the behavior you describe sounds like a faulty Thermistor. When they go bad they tend to have huge resistance jumps while the temp changes. Causing an inaccurate reading to the logic board.

Good luck!

[153stars]

Check for frost/ice build up behind freezer drawer/s air vents. All it takes is an item stuck in seal or or drawer jammed up a tiny bit also items sweating being loaded add a lot of humidity. If you get a big external chunk of ice over vents the defrost cycle won't take care of it. Also if defrost timer, thermostat or heating element is bad the coil will not defrost. Defrost thermostat being the #1 culprit.

[grantmnc]

So I ordered a new thermister and replaced it. In the process of replacing this piece, I noticed frozen frost and ice built up on the back wall and also in and around the coils behind the wall. With a hair dryer I cleared all the ice and let if dry out.



The freezer is still fluctuating and not staying cold enough (usually between and 15 and 20 degrees, but sometimes is down to 10 degrees). This morning we noticed the return of the frost on the back wall, so I am suspecting the thermister was not the (only) problem.



What to do next??? Does this mean the defroster is not working?



Thanks in advance.

[hypoxia]

Low refrigerant, feel the lines coming out of the compressor when it is running. One should be so hot it burns your finger in a second. If not the refrigerant is likely low. It can be charged, that's a discussion that can wait for your results. Also check the tag to make sure of the refrigerant, R134A.

[gjames50]

Now you start chasing rabbits.

I would recommend a good appliance tech. Here's an example of how complicated a diagnosis can be.

https://www.justanswer.com/appliance...es-wildly.html

You can try googling your model number and look for someone who has/had a similar issue. Maybe you will get lucky.