GE side by side refrigerator

[brooksjp]

My GE side by side refrigerator, model GSS22WGPACC is about 3 yrs. old. It was working perfectly and then suddenly developed a problem. The freezer section is below 0 degrees but the fridge side is only about 55 degrees. There also seems to be no air movement in the fridge side like there used to be. I pulled the icemaker out and dont see any obvious problem near the pass through vent to the fridge, any ideas.

[Dan O.]

Originally Posted by brooksjp

I dont see any obvious problem near the pass through vent to the fridge

All the cooling in most refrigerators is done in the freezer compartment. Only a small portion of that air is circulated into the fridge compartment to cool it.

There has to be at least two vents in order for the air to circulate through the fridge compartment. A blockage in either will restrict air flow from and/or back to the freezer compartment.

GE side by side refrigerator, model GSS22WGPACC

That is one of GE's newer electronically controlled refrigerator models. On it there is an air damper (see the following link) that restricts air flow into the fridge compartment to control its temperature.

LINK > GE GSS22WGPACC Air Damper and Termistor Asm.

A problem with it (GE had problems with early damper designs and has since redesigned it), its 'thermistor' (temperature sensor - which is included with the damper) or the electronic control not activating the damper could be responsible for your symptoms. It might also be caused just by some packages, etc., blocking one or the other vents into the fridge compartment.

JMO

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site
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[jean]

Originally Posted by Dan O.

All the cooling in most refrigerators is done in the freezer compartment. Only a small portion of that air is circulated into the fridge compartment to cool it.

This seems obvious now that you say it, but I never realized that before

[brooksjp]

Thanks Dan O. I emptied everything, defrosted thourghly and restarted. The airflow from freezer to the fridge side was working for the 1st couple of hours. After the freezer got down to below freezing the airflow between freezer & fridge stopped, cant see anything obvious? suggestions?

[Dan O.]

Originally Posted by brooksjp

airflow between freezer & fridge stopped, cant see anything obvious. suggestions?

Did you check the air damper??

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site
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[brooksjp]

The Air Damper is completely closed, obviously that should not be with fridge temp at 60 and temperature controls setting at 9. Is it a pretty sure bet that the Air Damper/Thermistor is faulty? or could it be anything else (temperature controls, etc.) ?

[Dan O.]

Originally Posted by brooksjp

The Air Damper is completely closed

Bingo!

Is it a pretty sure bet that the Air Damper/Thermistor is faulty? or could it be anything else (temperature controls, etc.) ?

It's a pretty good bet but as I stated previously, "A problem with [the damper] (GE had problems with early damper designs and has since redesigned it), its 'thermistor' (temperature sensor - which is included with the damper) or the electronic control not activating the damper could be responsible for your symptoms".

JFYI

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site
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[brooksjp]

I unplugged the electrical connection to the damper and manually opened it. Then let the fridge run overnight but no change in temperature, still 55+. There seems to be no airflow coming through the damper to the fridge side even though it's wide open, but fan in freezer side is running strong. Does damper have some control of fan in the freezer side or is it simply an opening?

[Slappy]

I'm not sure of what the models are affected, but you should check with GE, as I'm thinking that I heard of some recalls on some units where the problem you described is common.

[Dan O.]

Originally Posted by brooksjp

There seems to be no airflow coming through the damper to the fridge side even though it's wide open

Than that would indicate to me that the air duct(s) IS blocked.

Does damper have some control of fan in the freezer side or is it simply an opening?

AFAIK it just opens or closes the air passage between the compartments but the electronic control could act on the damper's thermistor readings to turn the compressor on or off when indicated.

But if the fan IS running, air should be circulating in to the fridge compartment unless something is blocking it. If it's not the damper, it will be up to you (or whomever is doing the service) to determine what that something is.

JMO

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site
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