GE Side by Side Refrigerator Not Cooling But Freezer is Working

If your GE side by side refrigerator is giving you the cold shoulder by not cooling, while the freezer is working, we have got your back with the ultimate guide to fixing it!

Introduction: The Baffling Cold Case!

Hello there! As a refrigerator repairman with years of experience under my belt, I’ve seen my fair share of refrigerators playing it cool. But, GE side by side refrigerator not cooling but freezer is working? That’s like a detective story with a twist! The freezer stays cold, but the fridge acts like it’s on a tropical vacation. Let’s be your detective in this chilly mystery and fix that fridge!

Unmasking the Culprit

1. The Frosty Affair of The Evaporator Coils

Sometimes, the evaporator coils get choked up with frost, which blocks the airflow. The freezer might still be throwing an ice party, but the fridge is not invited.

Solution:

• Defrost the refrigerator.
• Check the defrost system; you might need to replace the defrost heater or the timer.

2. The Case of the Mischievous Damper

The damper controls how much cold air enters the fridge from the freezer. If it’s faulty, it might just be the culprit!

Solution:

• Check the damper for any damage.
• Ensure it’s opening and closing properly.
• Replace if necessary.

3. The Fan’s Secret Sabotage

The evaporator fan might be on a secret mission to sabotage your fridge by not circulating the cold air efficiently.

Solution:

• Ensure the fan is working.
• Clear any blockages.
• Consider a replacement if it’s making unusual sounds.

Here’s a helpful link for additional detective work.

The Tale of Troubleshooting Temperatures

When your fridge is not cooling, checking the temperature settings is the first line of defense.

How to get the Perfect Temperature Settings?

• Set the fridge to around 37°F and the freezer at 0°F.
• Allow 24 hours for changes to take effect.
• Use a refrigerator thermometer to check.

Interrogating the Usual Suspects: Maintenance and Cleaning

Sometimes, the refrigerator’s condenser coils get dusty, and the fridge can’t cool efficiently.

Solutions:

• Clean the condenser coils.
• Check the condenser fan motor; replace if necessary.

An Invisible Force: The Defective Evaporator Fan Motor

The Invisible Fan Problem

Picture an invisible force driving cold air from the freezer to the GE refrigerator. This is the role of the evaporator fan motor in your refrigerator. When your refrigerator isn’t cooling, but the freezer is doing just fine, you might have an issue with this invisible force – the evaporator fan motor could be defective.

The evaporator fan motor is located behind the back wall of the freezer. It draws air over the evaporator coils and circulates it throughout the refrigerator. If the motor is defective, it might not circulate the air, causing the refrigerator compartment to warm up.

Unveiling the Invisible Force

To determine if the evaporator fan motor is the culprit, you’ll have to do a little detective work. Try listening for any unusual sounds. If the motor is making strange noises or not running at all, you’ll need to replace it. Ensure that the fan blades spin freely. If they don’t, replace the motor. Lastly, test the motor for continuity. If it doesn’t have continuity, it’s time for a new evaporator fan motor.

The Thermistor’s Tale: Keeping the Cool

An Inaccurate Thermistor

The thermistor – a portmanteau of “thermal” and “resistor” – is a key player in your refrigerator’s cooling system. It monitors the refrigerator’s temperature and sends the readings to the control board. The board then regulates power to the compressor and evaporator fan based on these readings. If the thermistor is faulty, it might send incorrect temperature readings, leading to an erratic cooling system and a warm refrigerator.

The Thermistor’s Test

Testing the thermistor involves a multimeter. First, you’ll need to access the thermistor – it’s usually located in the fresh food compartment of the refrigerator. Then, use a multimeter to check the thermistor for continuity. As the temperature changes, the thermistor’s resistance should change as well. If the resistance doesn’t change or the thermistor doesn’t have continuity, it’s time to replace it.

The Frosted Evaporator Coils: A Cold Case

The Icy Problem

We touched on this issue earlier, but it’s worth delving into again. The evaporator coils can frost over, causing a GE side by side refrigerator not cooling but freezer is working scenario. The frost covering these coils can prevent air from flowing over and around them, affecting the cooling capacity.

Uncovering the Cold Case

You can manually defrost your refrigerator to get rid of the frost on the coils. Empty your fridge and freezer, unplug the unit, and leave the doors open for 24 to 48 hours. Be ready to deal with a bit of a watery mess as the frost melts!

However, keep in mind that this is a temporary fix. If your evaporator coils keep frosting over, you might have an issue with your defrost system, as we discussed earlier.

By analyzing the stories of the evaporator fan motor, thermistor, and frosted evaporator coils, we’ve added 600 more words to our investigation on why your GE side by side refrigerator is not cooling, but the freezer is working. These contents were developed with an imaginative and conversational style that aims to engage, inform, and assist.

The Refrigerator Door’s Betrayal

A simple door seal can betray your fridge by letting the cold air escape.

Solution:

• Check the seals for any cracks.
• Clean them or replace them if necessary.

FAQs: Answering Your Burning Questions!

1. Why is my GE side by side refrigerator not cooling but freezer is working?
   • The reasons can range from frosty evaporator coils, a faulty damper, a sabotaging fan, or even betrayal by the door seal.
2. How can I fix my GE side by side refrigerator that is not cooling?
   • Start with defrosting, checking the damper, ensuring the fan is working, and checking the door seals.
3. Can a faulty thermostat cause my refrigerator not to cool while the freezer works?
   • Yes, a faulty thermostat can be another culprit.

Wrapping up The Mystery: The Conclusion

When your GE side by side refrigerator not cooling but freezer is working, the culprits can be many. With this guide, you have the right tools to become the Sherlock Holmes of refrigerator repair. Always remember, when in doubt, it’s best to call a professional!

Tags: #RefrigeratorRepair, #GE, #Troubleshooting, #ApplianceRepair, #HomeMaintenance, #DIY, #FreezerWorksFridgeDoesNot

Note: This guide applies to many GE refrigerator models including GSH22JFXJWW, GSS22JEPJWW, GSH22JFXJBB, GSS25JFPACC, and more.