If you have noticed your Electrolux refrigerator’s getting too cold and freezing some of your fresh foods, use the following four steps to help you troubleshoot and fix the problem. The trouble might be as easy as turning the two control knobs used to adjust the temperature setting to get your fridge at its proper temperature again.
WARNING – If you are attempting to repair any refrigerator yourself, be aware that you are working with potentially dangerous electrical currents that can cause serious bodily injury or death. Always remove the electrical power source from the appliance before you ever begin working on it. If you are attempting to repair any household gas appliances yourself, always be sure to turn off the gas that is designated to the appliance before you ever begin to repair it. Be aware that refrigerators have extremely sharp edges and moving parts that can cause serious bodily injury or death. Be aware that there are many other dangers and precautions involved in refrigerator repair besides those listed above. We strongly suggest that you please read our DISCLAIMER before any further actions are taken or proceeding any further. Think safety first!
Electrolux Refrigerator
Freezing Food
Step – (1.) Air Damper Control
If your Electrolux refrigerator is getting too cold, you may have noticed some of the contents in the refrigerator compartment are freezing. The air damper control, also known as the air inlet damper, air baffle or diffuser is used to balance the cold air flow from the evaporator housing to the refrigerator’s fresh food holding section, on most models. The inlet damper is made of plastic, with louvers like window blinds and is usually located on the interior wall of the fresh food compartment toward the bottom of the fridge. The control knob for the damper is located next to the fridge’s cold control knob. It might have freezer printed above or below it; it will be the knob (without) the off-position option. Is the knob set on too cold of a position? If so, move the knob a little bit to the warmer position. You should be able to open and close the damper by adjusting the damper control knob. If the damper diffuser is broken it will let too much cold air into the refrigerator, freezing the fresh food. The optimum temperature inside of a refrigerator for safe food storage is between 34 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature is any colder than 34 degrees F food will start to freeze, if the temperature is any warmer than 40 degrees F the food will start to spoil. You will need a refrigerator thermometer to adjust and set the fridges temperature correctly. You can purchase a refrigerator thermometer fairly cheap from almost any hardware store. The factory suggests that the air inlet damper knobs indicator dial be set at the mid-range, straight up 12 o’clock position.
Step – (2.) Temperature Control or Cold Control
You will need to check the cold control knob or dial located in the refrigerator cabinet, is it set on too cold of a position? If so, try turning the dial to a warmer position. Repair Note – The refrigerator cold control dial should only be turned about 1/8 of a turn in a 24-hour period. You will need a refrigerator thermometer to adjust and set the refrigerator’s temperature correctly. You can purchase a refrigerator thermometer reasonably cheap from almost any hardware store. The factory suggested setting for the temperature control is mid-range, this means that the indicator on the knob should point in the 12 o’clock position. The optimum temperature inside of a refrigerator should be between 34 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit for safe food storage. If the temperature is any colder than 34 degrees F food will freeze, any warmer than 40 degrees F food will start to spoil quickly. Adjust the cold control knob 1/8 of a turn every 24 hours and take notes of how much colder the fridge has become and repeat the process until you hit the optimum temperature range, between 34- and 40-degrees Fahrenheit.
Step – (3.) Temperature Sensor or Thermistor
If your Electrolux refrigerator is equipped with an electronic control board the temperature is going to be controlled by a thermistor. This part is usually located near the fridge’s air inlet, the thermistor senses the temperature and relays it back to the refrigerator’s electronic control board. The control board will then monitor the temperature and will make the necessary adjustments to the cold air inlet damper as they are needed. The temperature sensor could be defective if it’s too cold in the fridge compartment.
Step – (4.) Refrigerator Main Control Board
A faulty main control board could be the reason why your refrigerator is too cold. The control board is used to control a number of a refrigerator’s parts and functions. The control board is a very difficult part to test. You can visually inspect the fridge’s control board for burnt spots, melted relays, solder joints or any other obvious signs of electrical damage and replace the board if you see any of the mentioned damage. Electronic control boards aren’t cheap, some control boards can be pretty pricy. Only after troubleshooting all of the other refrigerator’s components that could be at fault for the reason your refrigerator is getting too cold, should you suspect the electronic control board to be the main culprit.