Gladiator fridge/freezer-freezer not cold enough, stays at 10 deg

the fridge section will not freeze ice cream as the lowest setting 1- is not cold enough
The thermostat is normally on the side panel inside the compartment and is measured 1-10 with 4 being around the best setting
if you are referring to a 2 door fridge where the top or bottom section is the freezer, that temp will be preset in the factory and has nothing to do with the thermostat but indicates - door not sealed properly
compressor failure and needs a technician to check out the reason why

Low refrigerant assuming the compressor is always running and not being shut down by the thermostat.

You can hook up an ammeter to the unit to see if the current consumption is below spec, another sign of low gas situation since the motor is not working as hard as under normal conditions.

Gladiators are a unique breed from any other style of refrigerator for their convertible capabilities of altering which section you wish to be the fresh food or the freezer, and the ability to use it in colder ambient temperatures than a typical residential refrigerator. This unique capability requires the use of a reversible fan motor and and dampers as well as additional foam insulation. If the door was left open, you have likely a buildup of frost and or ice in these air ducts as a result. My advice, empty it out, unplug it, open BOTH doors, blow a fan into the cabinet for a minimum of 24 hours. The water coming from the suction line of the compressor could be a sign that there is a little too much refrigerant in the system, or that it is in a fairly warm area, or near some source of heat.

Check the freezer for ice build-up. You will need to remove the rear and bottom covers for this. Frequently, ice will build up in the passageway between the refrigerator and freezer and/or in the defrost drain. If you remove this ice, your refrigerator will resume normal operation.

Check to see if there is cold air coming from the freezer to the refridgerator side through the vent holes The compressor maybe getting weak or the freon charge maybe low. Does the unit run a long time before it shuts off? 50 degrees is not cold enough for a freezer. You should be around 32 or less.


John

it may be to enclosed, to close to wall, try moving it, also clean under it every 2 months, coild attract dust like mad

Just had the same problem on my Freezerator, the compressor would cycle on for a few seconds and then off for about 5-10 minutes. No cooling. Replaced the overload sw and the start capacitor and system running cold and tru. Beer cold again, 0deg in freezer. Parts are available on the web, P/n 2169373 for the capacitor and 213615000 for the switch and housing...may be different # for the sw....PTM

You should to check the Whirlpool Gladiator Freezerator's door sealer to make sure all rubber or plastic seal very well to prevent air humidity come in to build up frost fast. Also, you have to defrost completely and wipe with cloth or paper towel to absorb all waters out and let it dry completely to prevent frost build up.

The evaporator fan in the back of the freezer blows over the cooling coils. Those coils are typically hidden from view behind a panel.

The problem you describe would lead me to suspect that the coils are iced over. That is why there is some cold, but not enough. The fan is blowing over a block of ice. An overfilled freezer is another possibility.

Iced over coils may be the result of a malfunctioning defrost system, a plugged drain tube, a poor seal on the door seals to the cabinet resulting in a lot of moist air entering the freezer (or fridge) or the refrigerant level is under pressure (needs more refrigerant added).

Most refrigerators never need refrigerant added, but after 25 years, it could be that yours does. However, it can only be done by a pro, and it probably isn't worth investing that kind of money in such an old fridge.

I recommend you start by unplugging the fridge and inspecting the coils inside the freezer. If they aren't iced over, then the door seals may be still be the problem by letting in warm air.

hi is the fan motor going in the freezer. if so how long has it been plugged in if more than 24 hrs and the fan is going. it could be that because it sat for 10 years the lines that go inside could have rusted out. so if this is the case its scrap sorry. the appliance doc.