How do you calibrate a fridge thermostat or what does it cost?

Question

How do you calibrate a fridge thermostat or what does it cost?

Answer 1

The fridge thermostat or cold control is preset at the factory and is not meant to be adjusted unless you are a qualified appliance tech. I have seen tech's do it rarely but end up by just replacing it since it did not perform correctly. There is a set s***w in most cold controls at the center of the adjustment shaft which can be done with a precision screwdriver.

A service call for this issue by an appliance tech will probably cost around $50-$80 if no parts are required.

Without knowing what your circumstance is, and knowing why you would want to, other than a warmer than normal operation of the fridge, its hard to advise you further. I will give you a couple of suggestions which may cover your situation though.

If your fridge has been running warmer than normal, it may not be the cold control but an indication of another problem. If there is an ice build up inside the freezer compartement, the airflow to the fridge may be restricted. Since the freezer cools the fridge, the unit will run longer but not get the fridge to the right temperature. This would be a defrost problem such as a defrost thermostat, defrost heater, or defrost controller. One trick that sometimes works is to press lightly down on the freezer compartment floor or back wall. If you hear a scrunching which sounds like snow, you may have a major frost build up.

Check the defrost pan either at the back of the fridge or under it to see how much water is collecting. Check it multiple times a day. If you are finding no water at all or very little, it could also indicate a defrosting issue.

While you are down there, check the condenser coil to see if there is alot of dust accumilation on the coils. If there is, this would cause a fridge to not cool efficiently. The coolant flows through the condenser to help cool it during the recycling process. If the coolant gas is not being cooled, it cannot absorb the heat from the freezer (endothermic reaction).

Check the door gasket to ensure there is no gaps between the freezer or fridge door especially at the bottom. Cold air is heavier and a gap would allow the cold air to escape. Place a dollar bill inside the door and close it. Gently pull on the dollar bill. If there is good tension, the gasket is probably fine.

I hope it helps.