quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
Thanks guys.

Fridge is about 25 years old.

As much as I hate to say it your best bet is a brand new fridge. It's a post 2000 fridge so it's not controlled by replaceable relays or with a construction that permits a full rebuild. It's a fridge that was cobbled together in the cheapest manner possible and the electronic control motherboard has probably been thru 10 or 15 changes because they always shop around for cheaper replacements. Odds are good if you need a control card they will tell you that one isn't available.

At this point your best option is to just get a new fridge and keep your fingers crossed that it wasn't designed to fail in 10 years. Because there is a lot of that crap going around. Second option is to find an old Kenmore made in the early 80's because those are fully rebuildable and have relay controls that can be swapped out easily.

Disregard EVERYTHING 'Scooter123' said right there. The fact that it is a 25 YO Whirlpool would seem to indicate it's a quality appliance, designed/made with quality parts. Your issue is VERY likely the 'Air Diffuser' you mentioned in the OP.

Please report back you findings...I've got a similar issue brewing with my fridge, though mine is a LOT colder that 65 Degrees!

The fridge is about 25YO but it's been running troublefree since the beginning. I replaced one relay for the compressor in the beginning that was a known problem (upgraded to a better relay). Since then, no issues. I think if there is any failure, if I can repair it easily, that's the route I'll take w/ this fridge. I trust it more than I think I would trust a new fridge.

It's been a few hours since the I replaced the damper and turned it back on. Freezer side is at temp again. Fridge side is a little slower (I think expected) but it's down to about 50F from room temp.

The good thing is that cool air (32F) is flowing through the damper now - wasn't getting any flow before.

I think the damper was it. Will see tomorrow for final confirmation - expect to see the fridge below 40F in the morning.

The key for me I think was that I could hear a fan running on the freezer side, could see / feel cold air coming out of the freezer duct which branches into the damper, and I couldn't pass a stick through the damper (it was closed when it should have been open given the fridge side temp).

To me (inexperienced) that suggested the damper. The fridge side could also be freezing if the damper was stuck open (basically, the whole unit becomes a freezer, I understand).

To close this out: fridge is below 40F again. All is well. Thanks again for all the help!

I’m buying analog thermometers to keep in the fridge and freezer to monitor temps from now on.

at that age the fridge is probably using double or triple the electricity of a newer model, if it keeps having issues at some point its worth the upgrade.

Had one in the garage that did the same, it was the defrost timer, and would keep icing up, replaced the same parts several times and it seemed once or twice a year it kept happening

Lowes had a scratch and dent sale, picked up a $1500 new side by side for $600, it's in the garage and the dent doesn't matter..

When are these scratch and dent sales? I would love to pick up a simple (but reliable) unit, either fridge/freezer or perhaps just freezer only to replace my garage unitl

I have an old side by side in the garage that has been running trouble free. It must be at least 30 years old (I'd guess closer to 40) - I got it used.

Good thing I have surplus solar - enough for an EV if I choose to do so someday. And/or a larger tonnage AC (but likely more efficient than my builder special).

I really value reliability over efficiency. The kitchen unit is "old" but I view it like a toyota with 100K miles. It's probably got another 100K of life left with some minor repairs along the way.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:

When are these scratch and dent sales?

Most large appliance dealers have a scratch and dent section.

Sears near us has a scratch and dent outlet.

The Google should be able to find a few near you.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
Most large appliance dealers have a scratch and dent section.

Sears near us has a scratch and dent outlet.

The Google should be able to find a few near you.

Near you...That's EXTREMELY uncommon! According to my research there are only FIVE remaining Sears locations in the country!

- Braintree, MA
- Concord, CA
- Coral Gables, FL
- El Paso, TX
- Orlando, FL

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
When are these scratch and dent sales? I would love to pick up a simple (but reliable) unit, either fridge/freezer or perhaps just freezer only to replace my garage unitl

I have an old side by side in the garage that has been running trouble free. It must be at least 30 years old (I'd guess closer to 40) - I got it used.

Good thing I have surplus solar - enough for an EV if I choose to do so someday. And/or a larger tonnage AC (but likely more efficient than my builder special).

I really value reliability over efficiency. The kitchen unit is "old" but I view it like a toyota with 100K miles. It's probably got another 100K of life left with some minor repairs along the way.

Lowes does have the scratch and dents and you can check with your local store, find the manager and they will tell you, and if they have something they want to get rid of at that point the manager will steer you to it. At least ours does.

I'm in Lowes weekly for something or another and hit it perfectly but the units were out in the middle of the aisle for a week, you just want to get there early.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
When are these scratch and dent sales?

When I was shopping for a new fridge recently, Home Depot had a GE side-by-side on clearance, a GSS28 series, for ~$900.00 (retail ~$1.5K to $1.8K).

No delivery and installation offered by the store, however.

quote:

Originally posted by nhracecraft:

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

Sears near us has a scratch and dent outlet.

The Google should be able to find a few near you.

Near you...That's EXTREMELY uncommon! According to my research there are only FIVE remaining Sears locations in the country!

- Braintree, MA
- Concord, CA
- Coral Gables, FL
- El Paso, TX
- Orlando, FL

I'm not sure where konata is located. I have the impression that he is somewhere near San Francisco; if that is correct, the Concord location that you listed is fairly close to him.