Whirlpool/Kenmore Frost-Free Refrigerator

The "over and under" as opposed to "side by side" refrigerators discussed in this section will have the evaporator cooling coils located in the back of the freezer section and the condensor coils will be located underneath the refrigerator. The refrigerant (one manufacturer's trade name for it is Freon®) gas-filled components such as the condensor coils and the evaporator coils will be discussed to understand the theory of refrigeration but no repair information will be provided for them. Repair information will be provided for the electrical components where most of the failures occur.

Whirlpool manufactures many of the Sears Kenmore refrigerators. Many of the electrical components in a Whirlpool refrigerator are interchangeable with those in a General Electric refrigerator. For example the defrost timers and thermostats and the condensor fan motors are frequently interchangeable. Defrost heaters are never interchangeable between brands. As a consequence, the "Proper Operation" section will be generic for all brands and many of the repair procedures will be generic to all brands.

Cleaning Condensor Coils

Cleaning condensor coils is a form of problem prevention and therefore will not be covered in the Problem Diagnostic section.

Problem Diagnostics

Most gas dryers have an access panel that can be used to watch the gas burner assembly. That panel is always located in front of the dryer cabinet at the bottom. Sometimes it exposes the entire bottom of the interior of dryer and sometimes it only lets you watch the burner. Actual observations of the burner and burner ignitor functions will be required to start to diagnose heating problems.

Warming Up (Abnormal Cooling)

The condensor fan may not be carrying the heat away from the condensor coils
The evaporator fan may not be carrying cold air away from the evaporator coils
The defrost system is not working right and the evaporator coils are filled with frost.

Cooling OK but Hear Strange Noise

If a screaching sound is coming from the back of the freezer section, the evaporator fan bearing may be starting to sieze.
If a clattering sound is coming from underneath, a piece of paper may be stuck in the condensor fan.