What does a refrigerator damper control do?

Why does my freezer work but not my fridge? What can I check on my fridge to fix it myself and get the fridge portion to begin cooling again?

Table of Contents Show

FIX FRIDGE NOT COOLING BUT FREEZER IS COLD
Evaporator Fan – Evaporator Motor For Fan Not Turning
Evaporator Coils Are Iced Up – Ice Build Up Causing Issue
Thermistor – Not monitoring Temperature
Damper Control – Not Opening Or Broken
Defrost Control Board – Ice builds Up On Coils
Temp Control Board – Not Sending Power
How do I know if my refrigerator damper is working?
Should refrigerator damper be open or closed?
What is the damper control?

Refrigerator is warm but Freezer is working

We will list the parts that are most likely causing your fridge is warm but freezer is cold working issue. When the refrigerator freezer is cold but the refrigerator is warm, you will need to check or test each part listed in the order from first part being most likely the cause.

There are many different types of refrigerators on the market today. These parts are mostly universal so if your fridge is not cold but the freezer is, use the list below to find the bad part and fix your refrigerator yourself.

Contents Of This Article:

FIX FRIDGE NOT COOLING BUT FREEZER IS COLD
- Evaporator Fan – Evaporator Motor For Fan Not Turning
- Evaporator Coils Are Iced Up – Ice Build Up Causing Issue
- Thermistor – Not monitoring Temperature
- Damper Control – Not Opening Or Broken
- Defrost Control Board – Ice builds Up On Coils
- Temp Control Board – Not Sending Power

FIX FRIDGE NOT COOLING BUT FREEZER IS COLD

Evaporator Fan – Evaporator Motor For Fan Not Turning

This fan pulls cold air over the evaporator coils. It circulates it into the freezer section. If this fan is not spinning or the motor is bad then the refrigerator will not cool. Turn this fan by hand. It is located in the freezer section at back. If the blades do not move or are difficult to turn then replace the fan and motor assembly. See part to replace below.

Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Motor Assembly

Evaporator Coils Are Iced Up – Ice Build Up Causing Issue

Your fridge has a part called a defrost heater. This part runs several times a day. It’s purpose is to melt any ice or frost that can build up on the evaporator coils. When the defrost heater goes bad the ice will build up on the evaporator coils. When the coils are iced over the air cannot flow as designed.

This makes it so the fridge will not cool. If the coils are iced over, then you have a defrost issue. Use a meter and test all parts of the defrost system. Most likely you need to replace the defrost heater and your issue will be fixed.

Thermistor – Not monitoring Temperature

This part checks the fridge temp and relays the temperature to the main computer control board. This board will regulate the power to the compressor and evaporator fan. If the thermistor is bad, then all this does not happen and the fridge will not cool.

The compressor will not run or may run too often. Test the thermistor with a multimeter. If the thermistor has no continuity then it needs to be replaced. See part to replace below.

Refrigerator Temperature Sensor Thermistor

Damper Control – Not Opening Or Broken

There is a part in the fridge called an air damper assembly. This part opens and closes to let in cold air into the fridge portion. When the damper does NOT open, then cold air does not flow properly.

Be sure to visually look at the damper to see if it is stuck closed. If the air damper is broken, replace asap. See part to replace below.

Damper Control for Refrigerator

Defrost Control Board – Ice builds Up On Coils

This part decides how often to turn on the cycle to defrost. If this part is bad then the fridge cannot turn on the cycle to defrost. Ice will build up on the coils. When the coils get iced up your fridge will try and melt and remove heat.

Your fridge then gets warm and this can also be the result of a fridge being warm and the freezer being cold. Test the defrost board and defrost system with a meter and replace parts as necessary. See part to replace below.

Defrost Control Kit for Refrigerator

Temp Control Board – Not Sending Power

This board sends power to the compressor and both fans. When it goes bad it will cease to send power to the compressor and fan motors. Test parts accordingly and replace as needed to fix fridge temp issue. See part to replace below.

Temperature Control Board

Other issues that may be causing the fridge to not get cool is the following parts: Defrost Timer, Defrost Thermostat, and the Main Control Board. Rarely these parts are bad but they could cause the fridge temp issue if bad.

Check the parts from the top of our list and downward for most likely faulty. Use a meter and you will discover which part is making your refrigerator warm and the freezer freezing.

How do I know if my refrigerator damper is working?

If you have a manually controlled damper, check that it is slightly closed and not allowing too much cold air to enter the refrigerator. An automatic damper can be removed from the refrigerator and the motor tested with a multimeter. The thermistor can also be removed and tested with a multimeter.

Should refrigerator damper be open or closed?

The air damper control opens and closes to let the proper amount of cold air into the refrigerator compartment. If the damper does not open properly, it won't let enough cold air into the refrigerator. Check the damper control to determine if it is broken or stuck closed.

What is the damper control?

HVAC dampers act in tandem with the thermostat to deliver the desired air quality—thermostats control the temperature of the air, and dampers control the amount of air that flows through the system. Dampers allow for more precise control over zone heating and cooling.