Fridge not cold

First some fridge 101, the refrigerator/freezer models cool by directly refrigerating the freezer section and the refrigerator section is cooled when "some" of the cold air from the freezer is directed over to the refrigerator side (typically by a fan) to keep food fresh and not frozen a temperature controlling damper opens and closes to regulate the temperature of the fridge by introducing more or below freezing air into the cabinet. In older models where the freezer was on top the air simply "gravity" drained into the refrigerator cabinet, if the food was too cold you turned the fridge knob up and less air sank from the freezer to the fridge, simple but effective.

When you adjust the temperature level it controls the freezer temperature and this turns the compressor on and off to keep the food frozen. There is typically a knob or lever and some even have electric dampers that open and close to direct more or less air from the freezer and direct it to the refrigerator cabinet based on your temperature requirements.

Now that you know how it works there are a couple things to check. If the condenser coil is plugged with dust the internal system pressure will rise and in some cases make the fridge an over achiever and can chill too much so check/clean the condenser coil. Check the freezer temperature control and turn in up, also make sure the fridge temperature control setting is not set too cold.

Finally as the temperature changes around the refrigerator it will have an effect on the inside of the fridge too so expect to turn it up and down as the environment changes, down in the summer and up in the winter.

Hope the novel helps to resolve your issues.

Can you feel air moving or hear the fan running in the freezer section? You said the freezer section is freezing well, but is it freezing really hard?
Regards,Richard

Hi,

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heatman101

Your frig has the classic symptoms of a frig with a clogged or blocked vent between the
freezer section and the refrigerated section. This clog can occur due to (a) stuff in the freezer blocking the vent, or (b) ice in the freezer blocking the vent, or (c) both of the above.

The way a refrigerator works is it cools the freezer, and the warmest air in the freezer is vented out
to the refrigerator section. If this vent is blocked (and everything else is working), your refrigerator
just became a eye-level small freezer atop a well-insulated section of dangerously warm food.

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The problem could be the electronic control if you have one or the mechanical linkages.

If, the fresh food section is 34- 38 degrees, then the freezer should be cold enough to keep ice cream solid. All of the cooling capability comes from the freezer section. I, personally, would not waste time or money on a ten year old box. Ten years ago it cost $1000, so, the outlay is $100 per year. Dump the old refrigerator and get a new one.

The most likely problem is in the defrost system. Behind the freezer panel there is not only an evaporator fan, but also the evaporator itself, and a defrost heater, termination bi-metal, and drain pan (or trough). You will likely find ice build-up in the evap coil. This could be caused by the defrost timer, the heater, or the termination bi-metal.
Have a service tech look at the unit.

The top part of my fridge is not working properly.It is not keeping food cold. The bottom freezer unit is working fine. I have cleaned the back and I have unplugged the fridge and plugged it in again. I have also turn the buttons off and on inside the fridge.

Does freezer cool like the cold food section? Did this suddenly happen, and frozen food began to thaw?  Most freezers control the cooling in the cold food section. The freezer must work fine before the cold food section will work fine. Let us know more, Thanks JT 

It sounds like cold air from the freezer isn't making it to the fridge compartment. This can be cause by a several things. The damper that lets air into the fresh food side is stuck in "closed" position, the temp sensor (t-stat) isn't working properly, the evaporator fan (in the freezer comp above the coils) isn't working to blow air up to the fresh food section. In some situations, the defrost cycle for the freezer section isn't working and the coils have frozen into a block of ice and air can't flow over them properly so you get not cold air to the fresh food section but the freezer still stays cold due to the block of ice.