The Sub Zero Refrigerator is Not Working, But The Freezer is Working
It surely seems puzzling when you find that your refrigerator is warm, but the freezer is working and still cold. We will troubleshoot the most plausible reasons for why is your Sub Zero refrigerator not working, but the freezer is working fine. From a defective thermistor to a dirty door gasket, we will give you the signs to crack the case.
Where To Begin When a Sub Zero refrigerator is Not Working, But Freezer is Working
Knowing where to begin is the key to locating almost any solution. We will address common reasons why the Sub Zero refrigerator is not working, but the freezer is, should implement a simple fix or arrange for repairs.
Refrigerator Door Gasket is Damaged or Dirty
A refrigerator door gasket gives a tight seal when the door is closed, keeping cold air and stopping warm air from accessing. If the gasket is damaged or dirty, the door will not seal correctly, even if it stays closed. When this appears, you will find the refrigerator is warm, but the freezer is cold. Check the door gasket for any signs of damage or dirt, like tears or cracks. While a dirty gasket can be cleaned up with a damp cloth, a corrupted gasket requires replacement.
Sub Zero Evaporator Coils are Frosted
The evaporator coil transports the refrigerant in cold gas form as it moves from the evaporator to the compressor. Modern refrigerators have a built-in defrosting system that melts any frost that collects on the evaporator coils from this cold refrigerant.
However, if the defrosting system fails, frost may accumulate on the coils. This frost suppresses airflow within the coils that affect the refrigerator’s temperature. At this point, you will find out that the refrigerator is not cooling, but the freezer is working normally. If the evaporated coils are frosted, we suggest that a service technician assesses the defrost system to manage the malfunction.
Evaporator Fan Motor is Faulty
The evaporation system uses a fan that blows cold air through the evaporator coils to help cool the inside of the refrigerator. If this fan failures, either the refrigerator or freezer, can undergo an increase in temperature.
If you see these signs, the evaporator fan motor may be the culprit for why your refrigerator will not cool down and the freezer will:
- The fan motor is running loud
- The fan blades are not easily rotated manually
- Multimeter testing of the motor shows a lack of continuity
In any of these cases, the fan motor requires a professional to replace it.
Thermistor is Defective
The refrigerator thermistor monitors the internal temperature of the refrigerator, reporting its readings to the control panel, which regulates the operation of the compressor and the evaporator fan. If the thermistor is faulty, it may not transmit the correct temperature or transmit any information at all. As soon as this happens, you’ll notice that your Sub Zero refrigerator isn’t working, but the freezer is fine. This is because the compressor and evaporator do not know when to provide the refrigerator with a large amount of cold air, which leads to an increase in temperature. If multimeter testing of the thermistor detects a lack of continuity, it must be replaced.
Condenser Coils Need Cleaning
Do you know that you should clean your refrigerators with condenser soil every 3-6 months? These coils are accountable for cooling the refrigerant that produces cold air for the refrigerator. Dusty coils are less able to cool the refrigerant, resulting in a Sub Zero refrigerator that doesn’t work, but the freezer is fine.
Here’s how to clean Sub Zero refrigerator coils to keep your refrigerator’s temperature:
- Turn off the refrigerator power on the control panel.
- Find the condenser coils. Most of them are located behind the front upper grille or lower footrest. Remove the grate or impact plate to access the coils.
- Use the vacuum brush attachment to remove all visible dust and lint from the coils. Vacuum toward the coils to avoid damaging them.
- Replace the kickplate or grill.
Return power to the refrigerator at the control panel.
If these troubleshooting tips don’t work to solve the mystery of a warm refrigerator and cooling freezer, it might be time for the Sub Zero appliance repair specialists. Call All Austin Repair to help you with any repair and questions.
