Freezer not freezing

Dray63077 · 01-02-2025, 09:51 PM

Hello all. I am new to this forum. We just bout a 2022 Jayco Eagle 317RLOK. This is our second Jayco, but the first one has a long story with a sad ending that I may share one day. We have a Whirlpool WRQA59CNKZ refrigerator that has the fridge on top and the freezer on the bottom. The problem we are having is the fridge part works great, but the freezer is staying between 36 and 41 degrees. I have tried unplugging for a minute or so but didn’t help. I have looked in the back panel (didn’t take the cover off) and from what I can see, it looks clean. Any ideas?

bankr63 · 01-03-2025, 09:36 AM

IMO, most likely cause is frozen over coils. This can still happen in a frost free fridge. My Whirlpool at home (smaller model bottom freezer) has done this a couple of times when the airflow gets restricted (fridge/freezer too full for air to circulate) but it can also be caused by a failed thermistor (temperature sensor).

First thing to try is to fully defrost. You can either empty it and leave it off for several hours, or if you want to speed it up, remove the back panel inside the freezer (if your model is setup the same as mine) and then use a blow dryer to speed the defrost. That's how I do it. Get those coolers out to store all your food!

With the back panel off you can also test the thermistor with a multi-meter. There are several YouTube videos for the various types. If the thermistor has failed (and you don't test it), the coils will freeze up again pretty quick, but if it works for a while without fail, just be sure to always allow adequate air space for circulation. Especially keep the air vents clear.

Our problem is the later, DW likes to pack the freezer full and ends up blocking the air vents.

Dray63077 · 01-04-2025, 10:17 AM

Thanks. I will try and defrost it when we get home. I don’t think it was too much food because it was empty. But a good defrost can’t hurt. I’ll also check on the thermistor. I was hoping there was a setting that I missed or something like that. Maybe it will be something simple.

TaftCoach · 01-04-2025, 04:33 PM

Welcome to the forums.

Dom101 · 01-04-2025, 05:25 PM

What temperature is it inside coach? We have lots of customers where the fridge is in the garage, and in the fall, freezer warms up because the fridge is already close to cooling temp and it only takes a few minutes of run time to satisfy the fridge. This is where the thermostat is. Don't think its ices up as this would have the opposite effect. The freezer would work but the fridge would not. One other scenario is that the system has a refrigerant leak. You can check this by seeing if the compressor is running a lot.

Jaykol · 01-04-2025, 07:26 PM

The first outing with our new to us 24RBS I thought the fridge/freezer had issues as it wasn't getting cold. Turned out it took a couple days to "settle in" and then has worked fine ever since. Now I make sure to have it plugged in at home for at least a couple days before a trip. Keep both fridge and freezer fairly full or you let all the cold out when you open the door.

Dray63077 · 01-05-2025, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dom101

What temperature is it inside coach? We have lots of customers where the fridge is in the garage, and in the fall, freezer warms up because the fridge is already close to cooling temp and it only takes a few minutes of run time to satisfy the fridge. This is where the thermostat is. Don't think its ices up as this would have the opposite effect. The freezer would work but the fridge would not. One other scenario is that the system has a refrigerant leak. You can check this by seeing if the compressor is running a lot.

The temp was about 65. We plugged everything in when we got the camper home on 12/18 and had it plugged in the whole time. I had out some water bottles in there that I keep to use in a cooler and notices after a few days that they had not froze. I then put a temp sensor in there to see how close it was getting to freezing. The temp is set at -8 degrees.

Dom101 · 01-05-2025, 06:22 PM

Did you check to see if compressor is running? Very important. If compressor is running constant, you have a major issue

Dray63077 · 01-05-2025, 06:26 PM

I have heard something running but haven’t spent time to see if it is for sure the compressor or what, or if it is running continuously. If it’s the compressor and running continuously, what are your thoughts? Bad compressor? I also thought what I am hearing could be for the refrigerator.

Learjet · 01-05-2025, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dom101

Did you check to see if compressor is running? Very important. If compressor is running constant, you have a major issue

That is not good advice for this frig, it has a variable speed compressor...so it does run most of the time, just at a lower speed.

Dray63077 · 01-05-2025, 07:30 PM

So the compressor is running. I have had the refrigerator unplugged for about 8 hours and opened up. I just closed it and put a thermocouple in there for my multimeter and will see what happens. If it is not working correctly, where should I go. Someone else mentioned a thermistor that could have failed. Anyone know where it may be on the unit?

Dray63077 · 01-06-2025, 09:05 PM

I checked the temperature tonight and it was reading about 33 degrees. The camper is 51 degrees inside. Thoughts?

Kevin Cooper · 01-07-2025, 01:37 AM

According to the book on your refrigerator, you have three thermistors. Refrigerator, freezer, and defrost. Sounds like you may have a bad one. Attached is the book for parts showing the locations of them. I think it is in the center of the back wall of the freezer.
Link: https://assets.ajmadison.com/ajmadis...79769-revg.pdf
About half way down in this link, on the right it has links to many guides for your fridge including the one above. https://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/aj...RQA59CNKZ.html

Dray63077 · 01-07-2025, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Cooper

According to the book on your refrigerator, you have three thermistors. Refrigerator, freezer, and defrost. Sounds like you may have a bad one. Attached is the book for parts showing the locations of them. I think it is in the center of the back wall of the freezer.
Link: https://assets.ajmadison.com/ajmadis...79769-revg.pdf
About half way down in this link, on the right it has links to many guides for your fridge including the one above. https://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/aj...RQA59CNKZ.html

Thank you sir for this. And thank all of you for the guidance. I will check the thermistor when I get home this evening and report back what I find.

Kevin Cooper · 01-07-2025, 10:53 AM

There are videos on how to check thermistors. You place it in ice water and check the ohms. Can’t remember the value at 32F.

craigav · 01-07-2025, 11:09 AM

One thought to share, is that on my home refrigerator if I turn the refrigerator thermostat up too cool (as all the way), the freezer will not get as cold as it should. As a test, I would (if not already) set both the refrigerator and freezer temp settings in the middle position and see if there is any temperature change for the freezer. ~CA

BWG · 01-08-2025, 02:30 PM

The reason for my reply is to THANK YOU for putting the refrigerator model in your question. I was able to look up the model and see the type of fridge. I don’t know a lot about residential refrigerators, my YouTube University degree is on gas absorption or 12 volt refrigerators so unfortunately I won’t be able to help. But someone here should be able to help with the information given.
Thanks again and good luck.

Dray63077 · 01-08-2025, 09:20 PM

Okay. So I took the freezer apart and checked the two thermistors in the freezer by heating them with a dryer. They both started out about 4.5k ohms and dropped to less than 500 ohms pretty quick. I couldn’t find what they were supposed to be. I also couldn’t get them out of the panel as I didn’t want to risk breaking it if I didn’t have to. One of the lines was frozen over(I would post a picture but not sure how) so I thawed it also before setting the panel back in to try it. Went out this morning and turned the set point up some as was suggested also and it is about 40 degrees now. The camper is about 55 degrees inside. Anyone have anymore suggestions?

Dray63077 · 01-08-2025, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWG

The reason for my reply is to THANK YOU for putting the refrigerator model in your question. I was able to look up the model and see the type of fridge. I don’t know a lot about residential refrigerators, my YouTube University degree is on gas absorption or 12 volt refrigerators so unfortunately I won’t be able to help. But someone here should be able to help with the information given.
Thanks again and good luck.

Giving as much information as you can when asking for help is more likely to get people to help

Kevin Cooper · 01-08-2025, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dray63077

Okay. So I took the freezer apart and checked the two thermistors in the freezer by heating them with a dryer. They both started out about 4.5k ohms and dropped to less than 500 ohms pretty quick. I couldn’t find what they were supposed to be. I also couldn’t get them out of the panel as I didn’t want to risk breaking it if I didn’t have to. One of the lines was frozen over(I would post a picture but not sure how) so I thawed it also before setting the panel back in to try it. Went out this morning and turned the set point up some as was suggested also and it is about 40 degrees now. The camper is about 55 degrees inside. Anyone have anymore suggestions?

Most of the testing I’ve seen is a glass of ice water. But if the ohms changed as noted, it is probably good since it changed. So, either you are not setting the controls correctly, or the circuit board on the back is most likely the issue.

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