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moodymail  
#1 Posted : Thursday, April 11, 2013 7:39:15 PM(UTC)
moodymail

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I could use some help diagnosing a problem on a KitchenAid KSRA25ILSS13.

First sign of trouble was that the refrigerator seemed warm a couple days ago.

I first ran the service diagnostics tests:

FC thermistor - Pass
RC thermistor - Pass
Evaporator fan motor - fan runs
Compressor and Condenser fan motor - fan runs, but I have a hard time telling if the Compressor is running during this test.
Air baffle motor - Air baffle works
Defrost heater/Bi-metal - I didn't check the live voltage during this test

After these tests, I checked the back of the freezer and found that is was iced up. This seemed to indicate a problem with the defrost system. I removed the back panel and saw quite a bit of ice on the lower section of the evaporator coils.

After I let the thing defrost overnight, I tested the heater with a multi-meter and it checked out at 20 ohms.

Next I tested the defrost thermostat (bimetl-def) and it checked out OK as well. It tested open at room temp. I put it in the freezer of our second fridge and it tested closed.

At this point, I was thinking the control board. But, since that's a relatively expensive part, I thought I'd fire the unit back up and see if the problem reoccurs.

It ran for about an hour or so not cooling at all. The condenser and evaporator fans were both running. About every 5 minutes I heard what I think was the compressor relay click on, run for 10 seconds, then click off.

After an hour or so of running like this, I heard the relay click, but it stayed on and is now starting to cool.

This still seems like a whacked control board to me, but I really don't want to replace that if it might be something else causing the problem.

What else should I check?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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denman  
#2 Posted : Friday, April 12, 2013 2:05:35 AM(UTC)
denman

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Here are your parts
Parts for Whirlpool KSRA25ILSS13 Refrigerator - AppliancePartsPros.com

See the attachment for the tech sheet

I do not think it is a control board problem.

As you can see from the tech sheet the condenser fan is wired in parallel with the compressor. So if the fan was on all the time, the compressor should have been on.

Often you can tell if the compressor is on because you can feel it vibrating.
Also the compressor should be warm not hot.

Odds are it is either a compressor or a start device problem.
Below is a link on how to check them.

Note that the compressor winding continuity test and winding grounded test is not definitive. It will tell you if a winding is open or grounded but not if there is a partial short on a winding or if there is a mechanical problem.So it may pass but still have a compressor problem.
The PTC starter is basically not testable so it is a replace and try part.

How To Fix a Refrigerator - Appliance Repair Guide - ACME HOW TO.com
File Attachment(s):
KSRA25I.pdf (710kb) downloaded 8 time(s).
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moodymail  
#3 Posted : Friday, April 12, 2013 3:03:51 AM(UTC)
moodymail

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Thanks for the quick reply. There are a couple of similar parts in the schematic. Is it the compressor starting device kit (AP3885081) that I should try?
denman  
#4 Posted : Friday, April 12, 2013 4:36:07 AM(UTC)
denman

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If the compressor checks out OK with a meter then this is for a EGY80 or EGY90 compressor, see the tag on the compressor.

If you click on a parts picture a new page will open with more info on it and often a Q&A section.
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moodymail  
#5 Posted : Friday, April 12, 2013 3:16:38 PM(UTC)
moodymail

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I'm pretty sure it's the start device. I took it off the compressor and it sounds like it has sand in it and there are small grains or metal falling out of it. I ordered the compressor starting device kit (AP3885081) to replace it. Hopefully, that'll take care of it.
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