Temporary Repair | Warm Refrigerator – Cold Freezer
Written by Todd Fratzel. 
Defective Refrigerator Air Diffuser
The other day I wrote about how our refrigerator was warm (50 degrees) yet our freezer was cold (0 degrees). Our side-by-side Kenmore Elite refrigerator was not working properly and I diagnosed the problem as a defective refrigerator air diffuser that was restricting cool air from the freezer compartment from entering the refrigerator compartment. The result was a warm refrigerator with a cold freezer.
Temporary Air Diffuser Repair
I ordered a new air diffuser and a thermistor in order to repair our refrigerator. In the meantime while we wait for the parts I created a temporary repair. If you look closely to the inside of the air diffuser you’ll see I inserted a black plastic zip tie into the holes of the louver door. The zip tie keeps the door from completely shutting and therefore letting the cool air move into the refrigerator.
After I inserted the zip tie I put the diffuser back in place while I wait for the new one. The temperature has gone from 50 degrees down to 35 degrees. So now the milk is safe and we can make due until the part comes.
If your refrigerator air diffuser is broken this temporary fix should help you keep your food cold while you wait for parts!
Related posts:
- Diffective Diffuser Causing Warm Side-By-Side Refrigerator
- How To Replace Refrigerator Air Diffuser
- Where To Buy Refrigerator Water Filters Online
Leave a comment if you think your Facebook Friends would find this article useful. Thanks in advance!
Subscribe Via RSS
Subscribe Via Email
Thanks a million for this (or at least the $75 I would have had to spend on a service call). A day before you posted this, I noticed my milk seemed a bit warm. Once I read this, I put a temp gauge in the refrig. and it read 50. Freezer was fine. I pulled the diffuser and noticed ice had formed on the end of the thermostat wire as well as in the diffuser itself. I think the ice was keeping the diffuser stuck shut and the ice at the end of the thermostat wire was giving it a false read. (I spent a long time over the weekend cleaning the refrigerator and freezer, which I think led to the ice forming) Short story long, I cleaned out the ice, reinstalled everything and I’m back in business. Thanks again!
[...] learn more then read: How to replace a refrigerator air diffuser. You can also read my post about How To Temporarily Fix A Warm Side-By-Side Refrigerator. AKPC_IDS += "3636,";Popularity: 1% [...]
I love the net. If you are persistent, the answers are out there. Your post hit the nail on the head. I haven’t applied yet what you suggest but I already can see that this is the solution. Thanks a million. You took the time to write what the manufacturers should have put into their documentation. Designed for failure. Our MBAs are taught to maximize the bottom line. Engineers and craftsmen ought to run the companies.
Thanks again.
Roger in Rochester.
Roger – I hope it helps. Do me a favor and report back so we all know if it worked for you.
thank you soo much for the repair advice. 4 gallons of cottage cheese later. they were trying to sell us a service agreement for 225 dollars. cha ching!
Thank you for the awesome information. I did your temporary fix with one modification; I didn’t like how the diffuser was pushing on the plastic strap I installed when it tried to close(the diffuser seemed to be continuously cycling open/closed), so I waited until it was open, and disconnected the power connector. Overnite the refrigerator dropped to mid-30′s temperature, so I ordered the diffuser $31.28 and thermistor $7.63; they should be here Tuesday 6-29-10. Parts cost $39 (cheap in my mind), and taxes shipping about $24.50 to get them in 2 days. I’m going to use the freezer temp to control the refrigerator temp for the next couple days. I don’t care what the service call would have cost, even if it was cheap (ya, right!) I will get much satisfaction out of doing this myself!
– Don in Littleton Colorado
Don – Please let us know if it was a success afterward. There’s no doubt this is cheaper than a service call!
Where do you get your diffuser for $31.28
The diffuser I saw for my Kenmore model 106.52603100 at sears parts direct cost $74.01, yet the thermistor cost the same.
Could you tell me where you purchase them?
Thank you,
Steven
Steven – I usually buy mine at http://www.partselect.com
Hi Steven,
Thanks a lot for all the useful articles!
I need to do this temporary fix but I don’t seem to find a way to open the diffuser as I have a newer model: 106.57863801
I can see from outside that it has frosting stuff inside it but I dont see any screw to open the cover.
Can you please help?
Sometimes they are held in place with a type of spring clip and sometimes they are held in place with screws from the freezer side.
Thanks Todd,
I couldn’t remove the panel but I was able to insert a plastic screw inside the diffuser door and it’s half open now all the time but still I don’t get and cold air inside the refrigerator area.
Have you searched for a parts diagram? without getting that cover off it’s possible that you haven’t opened it all the way. It’s also possible that something else is wrong like a bad defrost timer.
Yes but I couldn’t find anything for it on the web.
Now the bottom part of my refrigerator is freezing cold (all the fruits there have been frozen) and the top part of the refr. is still warm)
I think I have to call someone to check it as I don’t know what to do…
Thanks again.
Sure sounds like the diffuser is the issue. Right now all you have is cold air falling down to the bottom, freezing things, the air is circulating properly.
I am trying this temporary fix on a Kenmore Elite Model 106.55612400 and can’t figure out how to get the styrofoam off. I’ve got the plastic cover off the wires and the diffuser on the refridgerator side. Anyone give some guidance. Thanks,
If my memory serves me the foam was stuck on there really tight. I had to pull pretty hard to get it off.
Well I tried pulling it off and the foam broke. In the meantime, my other half was doing something and now the electronics are not displaying anything. Looks like it is time for the repairman. Will update you on our resolution.
Warm fridge cold freezer
Sometimes it is simple..The ehaust vents to fridge, in the freezer, were frosted shut move the frezzer food to fridge and and defrosted freezer, with the help of a blow dryer et Voila..What caused the frost up that’s another question maybe someone left a door ajar ??