Freezer cold - Refridge warm - Side by Side with PICS!

[redspot321]

Sorry for the second thread just want to get all of my info on 1 page. JWWEBSTER thanks so far, I added pics to hopefully speed up this process.

2007 Whirlpool

The lower return vent , next to the crisper drawer, freezes over every 6 weeks. The fix is 15-20 minutes with a hair dryer.
 Ive left it unplugged for 24 hours and the problem was fixed for 6 weeks.
Where does this vent lead to? Any suggestions??
The doors on both sides are sealed tight.

Thanks.

Model GS5SHAXTL01

[redspot321]

It took me about 20 minutes to get the back off.The freezer seemed like it knew the door was open and quit blowing after a few minutes. Very light frost on the coil.

[redspot321]

Still looking for some help here.... Anyone have any Ideas?
 

[JWWebster]

The return vent? I don't get a return vent. A return vent to where?

[krazytech]

I have some things to check..

1) check your door gasket on the fresh food side for air leaks also make sure the door are self closing if you have warm air coming into the fresh food side It will show up at the coldest area that is in the return vent...

2) you evaporator fan motor may not be strong enough... as whirlpool have replaced them with stronger motor to keep the air moving

3) when the fan stops you may be getting a reverse air flow that will cause the vent to freeze as cold air meets the warmer air of the fresh food side...I think there is a vent cover to help with this problem...

hope this helps  

[krazytech]

JW the air return vent on the bottom of the fresh food side...

[redspot321]

The return vent? I don't get a return vent. A return vent to where?

Thats a great question. I honestly dont remember where I picked up the term "Return" but from what I understand the top vent in the upper left of the fridge supplies the cold air fron the freezer and the bottom left is the return which keeps cold air circulating through the fridge. The bottom one is the vent that gets iced over but I cant see where it leads to. Just a hole in the wall that seperates the fridge /freezer

[redspot321]

I have some things to check..

1) check your door gasket on the fresh food side for air leaks also make sure the door are self closing if you have warm air coming into the fresh food side It will show up at the coldest area that is in the return vent...
Done, Checked gasket all the way round. My 6 year has a hard time pulling the door open

2) you evaporator fan motor may not be strong enough... as whirlpool have replaced them with stronger motor to keep the air moving
This unit has worked fine in the past and continues to work good as long as there is no blockage.

3) when the fan stops you may be getting a reverse air flow that will cause the vent to freeze as cold air meets the warmer air of the fresh food side...I think there is a vent cover to help with this problem...
I just took the vent cover off for the pichope this helps  

THANKS

[krazytech]

1) are the door hard to open do to suction ?

2) I have seen them work for many year... then there is not enough air flaow to keep up with the system... Whirlpool has come out with a stronger motor.

3)I should have said that there is an replacement vent cover and an inlet scoop

[redspot321]

1) are the door hard to open do to suction ?

2) I have seen them work for many year... then there is not enough air flaow to keep up with the system... Whirlpool has come out with a stronger motor.

3)I should have said that there is an replacement vent cover and an inlet scoop

I believe my kids have a hard rime piping the doors open due to a good seal on the doors. What so you mean in 3 above?  Does anyone know where this lower vent leads to?
Maybe there is an obstruction somewhere in the vent somewhere. There is no fan or anything just a square hole in the side of the fridge part?

[krazytech]

This is the return vent . Cold air is blown in at the top drops and is sucked into the vent at the bottom. The vent leads to the freezer at the bottom of the evapator .
If it is blocked by ice. Air can not return to the freezer side so you will not get any cooling in the fresh food side.

[krazytech]

If the door is really hard to open then there is suction for cold air pulling on the door.

[redspot321]

This is the return vent . Cold air is blown in at the top drops and is sucked into the vent at the bottom. The vent leads to the freezer at the bottom of the evapator .
If it is blocked by ice. Air can not return to the freezer side so you will not get any cooling in the fresh food side.

This makes sense. I've got the thing back together now so I can't see the down by the evaporator. I'm guessing there has to be some sort of blockage on the freezer side not letting the cold air back into the freezer side.

Where can I find a schematic for this pos??

[AJ]

Here is the tech sheet for your model refrigerator, it includes the schematic.

[redspot321]

Thanks for the tech sheet. Its WAY over my head thoough

So....... are there parts in the wall that seperates the freezer from the refridgerator that I can replace?

Where does this lower vent lead to? Looks like it goes into the seperator wall then up?