It may seem jarring to notice that your KitchenAid refrigerator is not getting cold but it could be a relatively minor issue. Follow these tips if you are dealing with this issue and then contact American Appliance Repair at 800-640-9934 if you need help from the professionals.
Clean the Condenser Coils
One of the most common causes of fridges that do not get cold enough is dirty condenser coils. Their job is to disperse heat evening but if there is a thick layer of dust and other debris, they will have to work harder to do their job. This can result in lower performance, excessive wear and tear on the refrigerator, and higher-than-necessary utility bills.
Depending on the specific model you have, the coils are likely underneath your KitchenAid refrigerator. Wipe them using a bottle brush or, if you have one, a vacuum hose attachment. Moving forward, clean them every six months to avoid the issues occurring again in the future.
Test the Thermistor
Your refrigerator’s thermistor is responsible for keeping the internal temperature. It sends signals to the control board, and the control board then tells the compressor and the evaporator fan to increase or decrease. If your thermistor is not working correctly, it could send an inaccurate reading to the control board, which would then affect the entire chain.
You will need a multimeter to test the thermistor. If you find that it is accurate then nothing additional needs to be done with it. If it lacks continuity or if the reading is not accurate then this part must be replaced.
Check Your Evaporator Fan Motor
This is another integral part of your refrigerator. It works by pulling air over the fridge’s evaporator coils and then moves the cool air throughout the refrigerator to keep it all at the right temperature. To determine if this is running correctly, find the evaporator fan and see if you can spin the blade. If not, then the motor likely needs to be replaced.
Test the Refrigerator Start Relay
The start relay starts the compressor. If it is not working correctly then the compressor can’t work correctly and the temperature will likely rise. You can use a multimeter to test the refrigerator start relay. This is a part that cannot be repaired but must be replaced if it is faulty.
