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HomeRepair HelpCaloric Refrigerator RepairCaloric Refrigerator freezer is cold but refrigerator is warm Repair
Caloric Refrigerator freezer is cold but refrigerator is warm
If your freezer is freezing but the refrigerator compartment is warm, the most common culprits are a defrost problem that has frosted over the evaporator coils, a failed evaporator fan motor, or restricted airflow from a door that is not closing completely. After checking the coils for frost and testing the defrost heater and timer, listen for the evaporator fan and try spinning the blade by hand; a seized or nonrunning fan will keep cold air from reaching the fridge. Next check door alignment, overloaded door bins, and the gasket for gaps that let warm air in. If those look fine, the temperature control thermostat or the air damper assembly may be failing and not directing cold air into the refrigerator. These issues are why people report a fridge not cooling but freezer works or a refrigerator warm but freezer cold. You can handle many of these repairs yourself, and you can enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact replacement part and repair guide for your refrigerator.
01 - The Evaporator Coils are Frosted Over
The defrost heater assembly turns on a few times throughout the day to melt away any frost that may have accumulated on the evaporator coils. If the defrost heater assembly is defective, frost will continue to accumulate on the evaporator coils, and the coils will become plugged with frost. If the evaporator coils are frosted over, the airflow through the coils will be restricted, causing the refrigerator not to cool. Check the evaporator coils to determine if they are frosted over. If the evaporator coils are frosted over, test each component of the defrost system.
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02 - Caloric Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Motor
The evaporator fan motor draws cold air over the evaporator coils and circulates it throughout the freezer. If the evaporator fan is not working, the freezer or refrigerator will not cool adequately. To determine if the evaporator fan motor is defective, try turning the fan blade by hand. If the fan blade does not turn freely, replace the fan motor. Additionally, if the motor is unusually noisy, replace it. Finally, if the motor does not run at all, use a multimeter to test the motor windings for continuity. If the windings do not have continuity, replace the evaporator fan motor..
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03 - Door not closing all the way
Misaligned door bins and shelving, or an excess of food items, may be keeping the door slightly open and prevent the refrigerator from cooling properly. Make sure the shelves and door bins are in the proper locations and avoid overloading the bins and shelves with food items.
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04 - Caloric Refrigerator Temperature Control Thermostat
The temperature control thermostat directs voltage to the compressor, evaporator fan motor, and condenser fan motor (if applicable). If the temperature control thermostat is not working properly, it may prevent the refrigerant system from running properly, resulting in the refrigerator compartment not cooling as expected. To determine if the thermostat is defective, rotate the thermostat from the lowest setting to the highest setting and listen for a click. If the thermostat clicks, it is not likely defective. If the thermostat does not click, use a multimeter to test the thermostat for continuity. If the temperature contr...
Highly Likely
05 - Caloric Refrigerator Door Gasket
A refrigerator door gasket should form an airtight seal around the appliance's frame to keep the cold air in and the warm air out. If the door gasket is twisted or torn, gaps can form that will allow warm air in, resulting in the refrigerator compartment being warm even though the freezer compartment is cold. Inspect the door gasket for any damage and replace with a new one if necessary.
Highly Likely
06 - Caloric Refrigerator Damper Control Assembly
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.
Highly Likely
Frequently Asked Questions
My freezer is cold but the refrigerator section is warm — what's causing that?
How can I tell if the evaporator coils are frosted over and which defrost parts should I check?
How do I test the evaporator fan motor when the refrigerator is not cooling?
Can a bad damper control or door gasket cause the fridge to be warm while the freezer is cold?
How do I find and order the correct replacement part on RepairClinic.com?
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