Why is my Kenmore Elite Refrigerator running 20 degrees warm?

The Kenmore Elite 74025 has a single fan that circulates air between the freezer and refrigerator compartments. The fan is located in the back of the freezer compartment, behind a panel. To check if the fan is working, you can unplug the refrigerator and remove the panel. If the fan blades spin freely when you manually turn them, then the fan motor is likely working properly. However, if the fan blades do not spin or if they spin very slowly, then the fan motor may be faulty.

If the fan motor is working properly, then the next step is to check for a dirty fan or a blocked airflow. To do this, you can remove the fan and clean it with a mild detergent and water. You can also check for any obstructions in the airflow, such as ice buildup or food debris.

If you have checked all of these possible causes and the fan is still not working, then you may want to replace the fan motor or test the connections of the fan motor with a multimeter to rule out a possible short.

To Cobra Kai

I own a similar Kenmore Elite (74049) and found your inquiry today. I am following your posting to see if I can also find any repair solutions. My fridge is 6 years old and has the same symptoms, meaning warm fridge 55 deg and warm freezer 40 deg.

I found one out of spec thermistor in the freezer section and replaced it. The refrigerator worked for a week then got warm again.

After reassembly, I received an error code (er 1F) that indicates a faulty evaporator fan. So I disassembled the freezer panels and removed the rear panel assembly that holds the evap fan and inlet fan assembly. I bench tested the evaporator fan and inlet fan. and both fans worked properly. But when reinstalled, there is still NO air flow in the freezer.

So I disassembled the freezer panels again today thinking I should replace the Defrost Sensor. But I am not sure if I should proceed with the part replacement yet. I kept the freezer unit exposed, meaning no door and the rear interior panel is loose. And powered up the refrigerator. The evaporator coils are ice cold. But, when I felt the defrost tubing. and it was up to hot temperature after only being plug into power for a few minutes.

As I have been typing out this note, (15 minutes), the inlet fan began working. But not the evaporator fan.

I am a wit's end. If anyone has any advise that could help both Cobra Kai and myself, I would greatly appreciate it.

BTW, does anyone know how to trick the refrigerator into running when the doors are open?