Another Whirlpool side by side fridge freezer problem

[Robbo87]

Model number: S20BRSB21.
Service numbers: 8586 151 15001 and 11 0423 025440.
Installed new in June 2004

Hi all, very much a newbie here. Wish I’d found the UK Whitegoods site before, as, judging by the problems that seem inherant with them, we may well have bought something other than a Whirlpool F/F. Having said that, ours has been trouble free – until now.

I’ve searched the topics for our particular problem but couldn’t find anything similar. My apologies if it’s been covered and I’ve missed it!

Here goes:
Problem – The freezer switches off, freezer temp’ displays a flashing – – symbol and the alarm sounds. There appears to be no other noises, fan or otherwise, from the whole unit, it is completely quiet. The Fridge panel still reads it’s normal +5 display.
Solutions tried – (a) Switching to ‘standby’ for both long and short periods. This doesn’t usualy resolve anything. (b) ‘Re-booting’ the whole appliance by simply switching off at the supply plug for a greater or lesser period of time. This usualy has a more positive effect than (a) and for a longer period.

The above problem started after we operated the ice maker after a period of non-use; coincidence?

In both (a) and (especialy) (b) cases, if the appliance returns to normal operating mode after powering up, it may be for any period of time between 15 minutes and six hours, but rarely longer. During this ‘normal’ operating time there is often a slow and very quiet ticking sound heard.

So far we have never had to leave the house for much longer than eight hours; so the freezer contents remain o.k. as ‘re-booting’ it will usualy restore normality – for a while.

Can anyone shed any light here, or will I have to run the Whirlpool Customer Care gauntlet?

Thanks in advance.

[kwatt]

Re: Another Whirlpool side by side fridge freezer problem

Bit of a late reply but, I expect that it will be either a PCB or thermistor failure from the description but I have no knowledge of that particular model.

Knowing Whirlpool spares prices though, it won’t be cheap to throw parts at it. 😕

K.

[Robbo87]

Re: Another Whirlpool side by side fridge freezer problem

Thanks K, now sorted.

Went the Whirpool C/Care route, pleasantly surprised too I have to say. Engineer from a North Devon firm came out within three days (Top man – sorry, didn’t get his name), arrived at 0900, problem correctly diagnosed, fixed and tea drank by 0935 hrs – a Top Job by a very efficient guy and his firm, he even fixed the clicky fridge door hinge (“they all do that sir)we were well impressed! Top marks.

[paolo]

Re: Another Whirlpool side by side fridge freezer problem

“fixed the clicky fridge door hinge”
Is the lower one?
If so, mine does that, (very annoying) how did he fix it?

[Robbo87]

Re: Another Whirlpool side by side fridge freezer problem

paolo wrote:“fixed the clicky fridge door hinge”
Is the lower one?
If so, mine does that, (very annoying) how did he fix it?

Not sure; I know he took the fridge-side door off and that screwdrivers were involved and, I think, spanners. I’m assuming it was an just an adjustment job as he didn’t replace any parts. I know that when he’d finished, both doors were at the exact same height and ‘Mr Clicky’ had gone away. Sorry I can’t be of more help.

He gave me a couple of tips too: “You don’t need to change the water filter until you can taste the difference in quality; that’s because the Filter warning LED is triggered by a timer, the appliance is not sensitive to how much crud is in the filter”. Also; “Make sure you remove the lower front grill [that houses the W/Filter] and clean behind it at least once a year.” I can vouch for the build-up of detritus gathered there!

Again – Wish I could remember the name of the North Devon Company and their Engineer’s name – Highly recommended.

[Author]

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