Whirlpool Refrigerator Repair Manual

automatic

Ice maker

Model and serial and rollers

W

NO-FROST

REFRIGERATOR-FREEZERS m2LK m4Lc

Contents

Important Safety Instructions. ........

Before Uslng Your Refrigerator .......

Uslng Your Refrigerator. ..............

Setting the controls ...................

Changing the control settings ..........

Power saver control ..................

Adjusting the refrigerator shelves .......

Adjusting the freezer shelf .............

Changing the light bulb ................

Removing the crisper and crisper cover .............................

Ice cube tray. ........................

Optional automatic ice maker ..........

Sounds you may hear .................

Energy saving tips ....................

Cleaning Your Refrigerator

...........

Cleaning chart .......................

Caring For Your Refrigerator.

.........

Vacation and moving care .............

Power interruptions ...................

If You Need Service Or

Assistance ...........................

Whirlpool Refrigerator Warranty ......

01989 Whirlpool Corporation

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6

6 l

Remove the Consumer Buy Guide Label, tape and any inside labels before using the refrigerator.

To remove any remaining glue:

Rub briskly with thumb to make a ball then remove. l

OR

Soak area with liquid hand dishwashing detergent before removing glue as described above. Do not use rubbing alcohol or flammable or toxic solvents, such as acetone, gasoline, carbon tetrachloride, etc. These can damage the material.

NOTE:

Do not remove any permanent instruction labels inside your refrigerator. Do not remove the

Tech Sheet fastened under the refrigerator at the front. l l

Thank you for buying a Whirlpool appliance.

Please complete and mail the Owner Regis- tration Card provided with this product.

Then complete the form below. Have this informa- tion ready if you need service or call with a question.

Copy model and serial numbers from plate

(see diagram on front cover) and purchase date from sales slip.

Keep this book and sales slip together in a handy place.

Model Number

Serial Number

Purchase Date

Service Company Phone Number

To reduce the risk of fire, electrical shock, or injury when Using Your refrigerator, follow basic precautions Including the fOIlOWing: l l

Read all instructions before using the refrigerator.

Child entrapment and suffocation are not problems of the past. Junked or abandoned refrigerators are still dangerous...even if they will “just sit in the garage a few days.”

If you are getting rid of your old refrigerator, do It safely. Please read the enclosed safety booklet from the Association of Home Appliance

Manufacturers. Help prevent accidents. l l

Never allow children to operate, play with, or crawl inslde the refrigerator.

Never clean refrigerator parts with flammable fluids. The fumes can create a fire hazard or explosion.

. FOR YOUR SAFETY.

DO NOT STORE OR USE GASOLINE OR

OTHER FLAMMABLE VAPORS AND LIG-

UIDS IN THE VICINITY OF THIS OR ANY

OTHER APPLIANCE. THE FUMES CAN

CREATE A FIRE HAZARD OR EXPLOSION.

- SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS - l

It is your responsibility to be sure your refrigerator: is installed and leveled on a floor that will hold the weight, and in an area suitable for its size and use. l is connected only to the right kind of outlet, with the right electrical supply and grounding.

(Refer to the Electrical Requirements and

Grounding Instructions Sheet.) l l is used only to do what home refrigerators are designed to do. is not near an oven, radiator or other heat source. l l l l is properly maintained. is out of the weather. l is used in an area where the room tempera- ture will not fall below 55°F (13°C). is not used by anyone unable to operate it properly. is not loaded with food before it has time to get properly cold.

Sprang groundlng typs wall receptacle

1. Clean it

Clean your refrigerator before using it. See cleaning instructions on page 9.

2. Plug It In

Recommended Grounding Method

A 115 Volt, 60 Hz., AC only 15 or 20 ampere fused and properly grounded electrical supply is required. It is recommended that a separate circuit sewing only this appliance be provided. Use a re- ceptacle which cannot be turned off with a switch or pull chain. Do not use an extension cord.

See Electrical Requirements and Grounding

Instruction Sheet in your Literature Package.

3. Install properly

1.

Allow 3 inches (7.5 cm) between overhead cabinets and the refrigerator top.

2. Allow at least an inch (2.5 cm) between the refrigerator condenser on the back and the wall.

3. Allow 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) on each side of the refrigerator for ease of installation.

4. If the refrigerator is to be against a wall, you might want to leave extra space on the hinge side so the door can be opened wider.

4. Level refrigerator-freezer

1.

Keep the 4 bolts that held the refrigerator in the shipping crate. They are the leveling legs.

2. Screw these bolts all the way into bolt holes at the bottom corners of refrigerator. Roll refrigerator into place.

3. Lower legs just enough to lift rollers off floor.

4. Adjust each leg until the refrigerator won’t rock.

5. Adjust front legs to level the refrigerator.

-To raise corners, turn legs in direction shown.

-To lower corners, turn legs in direction shown.

6. Check with level.

4

The drawings in this book may vary slightly from your refrigerator model. They are designed to show the different features of all the models covered by this book.

NOTE:

Your model may not include all the features shown.

Setting the controls

Controls for the refrigerator and freezer are in the refrigerator. When the refrigerator is plugged in for the first time:

1.

Set the Refrigerator Control to 3.

CONDITION:

If Refrigerator

Section is

TOO WARM

If Freezer

Section is

TOO WARM

If Refrigerator

Section is

TOO COLD

If ICE isn’t

MADE FAST ENOUGH

If BOTH SECTIONS are TOO WARM

REASON:

Door opened often

Large amount of food added

Room temperature too warm

Door opened often

Large amount of food added

Very cold room temperature

(can’t cycle often enough)

Controls not set correctly for your conditions

2. Set the Freezer Control to B.

Give the refrigerator time to cool down completely before adding food. (This may take several hours.)

These settings should be about right for normal household refrigerator usage.

The controls will be set about right when milk or juice is as cold as you like and when ice cream is firm.

Changing the control settings l l l

If you need to adjust temperatures in refrigerator or freezer, use the settings listed in the chart below. If you have questions, call your COOL-LINE@ serv- ice assistance telephone number. (See page 11.)

Adjust the Refrigerator Control first.

Wait at least 24 hours between adjustments.

Then adjust the Freezer Control if needed.

RECOMMENDED

CONTROL SETTINGS:

Refrigerator

Freezer

4

C

Refrigerator

Freezer

Refrigerator

Freezer

3

A

2

B

Heavy ice usage

Verv cold room temoerature

(can’t cycle often enough)

Door opened often

Large amount of food added

Very warm or very cold room temperatures

Refrigerator

Freezer

Refrigerator

Freezer

3

A

4

B

5

6

Using Your Refrigerator

Contlnued

. CONSUMES

POWER SAVER

LESS ENERGY. REDUCES EXTERIOR MOISTURE.

Gulde stop

I II II

Shelf support

.++I”

I

‘II

-L

S lhelf guide

Power saver control

The Power Saver Control on the Control Console operates electric heaters around the door open- ings. These heaters help keep moisture from form- ing on the outside of the refrigerator.

1.

Use the CONSUMES LESS ENERGY setting when humidity is low.

2. Use the REDUCES EXTERIOR MOISTURE setting if moisture forms on the outside of the refrigerator.

Adjustlng the refrigerator shelves

Shelves can be adjusted to match the way you use your refrigerator.

To remove shelt:

1.

Remove items from shelf.

2. Slide shelf straight out to the stop.

3. Lift front and slide shelf the rest of the way out.

To replace shelf:

1.

Fit back of shelf on top of guides with wire stops on the bottom of guides.

2. Lift front and slide shelf in until it clears guide stops.

Adjusting the freezer shelf

(model ETlZLK)

To remove shelf:

1.

Lift front slightly.

2. Lift back off supports.

3. Replace in reverse order.

To adjust shelf:

1.

Remove shelf.

2. Remove supports by sliding upwards.

3. Replace supports on desired level.

4. Replace shelf.

Changing the light bulb

Electrical Shock

Hazard

Before removing the light bulb, either unplug the refrigerator or disconnect the electricity leading to the refrigerator at the main power supply. Shock and injury can occur if electricity remains connected.

To change refrigerator Ilght:

1. Disconnect refrigerator from power supply.

2. Reach behind the Control Console to find bulb.

3. Remove bulb.

4. Replace with a 40-watt appliance bulb.

5. Reconnect power supply.

Lift the back, then slide out to the rear and IIR out.

Ralw slgnal arm to stop Ice

Lower slgnal armto starttt

Model

Ell2LK

Removlng the crisper and crisper cover

Model

Em2LK:

To remove crisper:

1.

Slide crisper straight out.

To remove cover:

1.

Lift back, then slide to the rear until the front can be lifted.

2. Lift cover up and out.

To replace cover:

1.

Slide the front cover tabs into the back of the front supports on the refrigerator walls.

2. Lower back into place.

Model ETl4LC:

To remove crisper:

1.

Slide crisper out to the stop.

2. Lift the front.

3. Slide the rest of the way out.

4. Replace in reverse order.

To remove cover:

1.

Lift the front, then the back.

2. Pull up and out.

To replace cover:

1.

Fit notches on back of cover into back nubs on wall of refrigerator.

2. Lower front into place.

Ice cube tray

If cubes are not used, they may shrink. The moving cold air starts a slow evaporation. The longer cubes ate stored, the smaller they get.

To remove ice:

1.

Hold tray at both ends.

2. Twist slightly

Optional automatic ice maker

(model ETlPLK)

If you have the automatic ice maker accessory, or if you plan to add one later (Part No. ECKMF-90), there are a few things you will want to know: l

The ON/OFF lever is a wire signal arm.

Down.. .for making ice automatically.

Up...to shut off the ice maker.

NOTE:

Do not turn ice maker on until it is connected to the water supply. l l

The dial or lever on the side of the ice maker changes the size of the cubes.

Shake the bin occasionally to keep cubes sepa- rated, and to obtain increased storage capacity.

7

Using Your Refrigerator

Contlnued l l

It is normal for ice crescents to be attached by a corner. They will break apart easily.

You will hear water running when ice maker is working. You’ll hear ice fall into the bin. Don’t let these sounds bother you. l l

The ice maker will not operate until the freezer is cold enough to make ice. This can take overnight.

Because of new plumbing connections, the first ice may be discolored or off-flavored. Discard the first few batches of ice. l l lf ice is not being made fast enough and more ice is needed, turn the Refrigerator Control toward a higher number. Wait a day and, if necessary, turn the Freezer Control toward A.

If you remove the ice bin, raise the signal arm to shut off the ice maker. When you return the bin, push it all the way in and lower the arm to the ON position. l l lf cubes are stored too long, they may develop an off-flavor...like stale water. Throw them away.

They will be replaced. Cubes in the ice bin can also become smaller by evaporation.

Good water quality is important for good ice quality. It is not recommended that the ice maker be connected to a softened water supply. Water softener chemicals such as salt from a malfunc- tioning softener can damage the ice maker mold and lead to poor quality ice. If a softened water supply cannot be avoided, then it is important that the water softener be well maintained and operating properly.

Your new refrigerator may make sounds that your old one didn’t. Because the sounds are new to you, you might be concerned about them. Don’t be. Most of the new sounds ate normal. Hard sur- faces like the floor, walls and cabinets can make the sounds seem louder.

The following describes the kinds of sounds that might be new to you, and what may be making them.

Slight hum, soft hlss

You may hear the refrigerator’s fan motor and moving air.

Cllcklng or snapplng sounds

The thermostat makes a definite click when the refrigerator stops running. It also makes a sound when the refrigerator starts. The defrost timer will click when the defrost cycle starts and stops.

Water sounds

When the refrigerator stops running, you may hear gurgling in the tubing for a few minutes after it stops. You may also hear defrost water running into the defrost water pan.

Ice maker sounds l l trickling water thud (clatter of Ice)

If your refrigerator has an ice maker you may hear buzzing (from the water valve), trickling water and the clatter of ice dumped into the bin.

Runnlng sounds

Your refrigerator has a high-efficiency compressor and motor. It will run longer than older designs. It may even seem to run most of the time. l l l

You can help your refrigerator use less electricity.

Check door gaskets for a tight seal. Level the cabinet to be sure of a good seal.

Clean the condenser coils regularly.

Open the door as few times as possible. Think about what you need before you open the door.

Get everything out at one time. Keep food orga- nized so you won’t have to search for what you want. Close door as soon as food is removed. l

Go ahead and fill up the refrigerator, but don’t overcrowd it so air movement is blocked. l

It is a waste of electricity to set the refrigerator and freezer to temperatures colder than they need to be. If ice cream is firm in the freezer and drinks are as cold as your family likes them, that’s cold enough. l l

Keep the Power Saver Control on CONSUMES

LESS ENERGY unless moisture forms on refrig- erator exterior.

Make sure your refrigerator is not next to a heat source such as a range, water heater, furnace, radiator or in direct sunlight.

Both the refrigerator and freezer sections defrost automatically. But both should be cleaned about once a month to help prevent odors from building up. Spills should be wiped up right away

To clean your refrigerator, turn the Refrigerator

Control to OFF, unplug it, take out all removable parts and clean it according to the following directions.

PART

Removable parts

(shelves, crisper, etc.)

Outslde

Inslde walls

(Freezer should be allowed to warm up so cloth won’t stick.)

Door liners and gaskets

Dark plastics

(covers and panels)

Defrostpan

(behind refrigerator on top of the motor)

Condenser tolls

Floor under refrigerator

WHAT TO USE

Sponge or cloth; mild detergent and warm water. l l

HOW TO CLEAN

Wash removable parts by hand with warm water and a mild detergent.

Rinse and dry.

Sponge, cloth or paper towel; mild detergent; appliance wax (or good auto paste wax). l l

Wash with warm water and a mild detergent.

Do not use abrasive or harsh cleansers.

Rinse and dry. l

Wax painted metal surfaces at least twice a year with appliance wax or a good auto paste wax. Apply wax with a clean, soft cloth.

Do not use wax on plastic parts.

Waxlng palnted metal surfaces provides rust protectlon.

Sponge, soft cloth or paper towel, baking soda, warm water, mild detergent. l l

Wash with warm water and

- mild detergent or

-baking soda (2 tablespoons [26 g] to

1 quart [.95 L.] warm water).

Rinse and dry.

Sponge, soft cloth or paper towel; mild detergent, warm water. l l

Wash with mild detergent and warm water.

Rinse and dry.

DO NOT USE cleaning waxes, concentrated detergents, bleaches or cleansers contalnlng petroleum on plastic parts.

Mild detergent and warm water; soft, clean sponge or soft, clean cloth. l l

Wash with a soft cloth or sponge.

Rinse and dry.

DO NOT USE paper towels, window sprays, scouring cleansers, or flammable or toxic solvents llke acetone, gasoline, carbon tetrachloride, etc. These can scratch or damage the material.

Sponge or cloth; mild detergent and warm water. l l l l

Roll refrigerator out away from wall.

Wash defrost pan with warm water and mild detergent.

Do not remove defrost pan to clean.

Rinse and dry.

Roll refrigerator back into place.

Use vacuum cleaner with brush attachment.

Floor cleaners. l

Clean dust and lint from condenser coils behind the refrigerator at least once every other month. l l l l

Roll refrigerator out away from wall.

Clean the floor.

Roll refrigerator back.

Check to see if the refrigerator is level.

9

Short vacations

No need to shut off the refrigerator if you will be away for less than four weeks. Use up perisha- bles; freeze other items. If your refrigerator is equipped with an automatic ice maker:

1.

Turn it off.

2. Shut off the water supply to the ice maker.

3. Empty the ice bin.

Long vacations

Remove all the food if you are going for a month or more. If your refrigerator is equipped with an auto- matic ice maker, turn off the water supply to the ice maker at least a day ahead. When the last load of ice drops, turn off the ice maker.

Unplug the refrigerator and clean it.. .rinse well and dry. Tape rubber or wood blocks to the top of both doors.. . keeping them open far enough for air to get in. This will keep odor and mold from building up.

Power intermptions

If electricity goes off, call the power company. Ask how long power will be off.

1.

If service is to be interrupted 24 hours or less, keep both doors closed.

This will help frozen food stay frozen.

2. If service is to be interrupted longer than

24 hours:

(a) Remove all frozen food and store in a frozen food locker.

OR

(b) Place 2 Ibs. (0.9 kg) of dry ice in freezer for every cu. ft. of freezer space. This will keep food frozen for 2 to 4 days. Wear gloves to protect your hands from dry ice burns.

(c) If neither food locker storage nor dry ice is available, use or can perishable food at once.

3. A full freezer will stay cold longer than a partly filled one. A freezer full of meat will stay cold longer than a freezer full of baked goods. If food contains ice crystals, it may be safely refrozen, although the quality and flavor may be affected.

If the condition of the food is poor or if you feel it is unsafe, dispose of it.

Questions?

Call your COOL-LINE@ service assistance telephone number. (See page 11.)

Personal Injury Hazard

Do not allow children near the refrigerator when the doors are blocked open. They may become injured or trapped.

To restart refrigerator, see “Using Your

Refrigerator” on page 5.

Moving

If your refrigerator is equipped with an automatic ice maker, shut off the ice maker water supply a day ahead of time. Disconnect the water line. After the last supply of ice drops, lift the signal arm to turn off the ice maker.

Remove all food. Pack frozen food in dry ice.

Unplug the refrigerator and clean it thoroughly.

Take out all removable parts. Wrap all parts well and tape them together so they don’t shift and rattle.

Screw in the leveling legs (for model ET14LC); tape the doors shut; and tape the electric cord to the cabinet. When you get to your new home, put everything back and refer to page 4. Don’t forget to reconnect the water supply line if you have an ice maker.

10

you follow these fiie steps:

1. Before calling for assistance...

Performance problems often result from little things you can find and fix yourself without tools of any kind. l l l

If your refrigerator will not operate:

Is the electric cord plugged into a live circuit with proper voltage? (See page 4).

Have you checked your home’s main fuses or circuit breaker box?

Is the Refrigerator Control ON? l l

If there Is a rattling or jlngllng noise or unfamlllar sounds:

Is something on top of or behind the refrigerator making noise when the refrigerator is running?

New features on your new refrigerator make new sounds. You may be hearing air flowing from the fans, timer clicks for the defrosting cycle, or defrost water draining in the defrost pan.

If your Ice maker will not operate: l l l

Has the freezer had enough time to get cold?

With a new refrigerator, this might take overnight.

Is the signal arm ON.. . in the down position?

Is the water valve turned on? Is water getting to the ice maker? l

If there Is water In the defrost pan:

This is normal in hot, muggy weather. The pan can even be half full. Make sure the refrigerator is level so the pan does not overflow.

If the light does not work: l l

Have you checked your home’s main fuses or circuit breaker box?

Is the power supply cord plugged into a live circuit with the proper voltage? (See page 4). l

If a bulb Is burned out:

See instructions for changing light bulbs on page 6. Use appliance bulbs only. l l l lf the motor seems to run too much:

Is the condenser free of dust and lint?

On hot days, or if the rwm is warm, the motor naturally runs longer.

If the door has been opened a lot, or if a large amount of food has been put in, the motor will run longer to cool down the interior.

Remember:

Motor running time depends on different things: number of door openings, amount of food stored, temperature of the room, setting of the controls.

Your new refrigerator may be larger than your old one so it has more space to be cooled. It also has a regular freezer instead of a frozen food com- partment. All this means better refrigeration and may require more running time than your old one.

2. If you need assistance:..

Call Whlrlpool COOL-LINE@ servlce assistance telephone number. Dial free from anywhere In the U.S.: l-6w-253-1301 and talk with one of our trained consultants.

The consultant can instruct you in how to obtain satisfactory operation from your appliance or, if service is necessary, recommend a qualified service company in your area.

3. If you need service%.

Whirlpool has a nationwide network of franchised

TECH-CARE@ Service

Companies. TECH-CARE service technicians are trained to fulfill the product warranty and provide after-warranty service, any- where in the United States. To locate TECH-CARE service in your area, call our COOL-LINE service assistance telephone number (see Step 2) or look in your telephone directory Yellow Pages under:

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OR

-IyIIwEIL-

LmonmS-~LRntllo

AFmMlxS

TEMURE sr-

XYZYMCEM

123wFl.E

..wR”,CE COMPAN,ES

98+8881

4. If you have a problem’...

Call our COOL-LINE service assistance telephone number (see Step 2) and talk with one of our consultants, or if you prefer, write to:

Mr. Donald Skinner

Director of Customer Relations

Whirlpool Corporation

2000 M-63

Benton Harbor, Ml 49022

Please include a daytime phone number in your correspondence.

5. If you need FSP@ replacement parts:..

FSP is a registered trademark of Whirlpool

Corporation for quality parts. Look for this symbol of quality whenever you need a replacement part for your Whirlpool appliance. FSP replacement parts will fit right and work right, because they are made to the same exacting specifications used to build every new Whirlpool appliance.

To locate FSP replacement parts in your area, refer to Step 3 above or call the Whirlpool

COOL-LINE service assistance number in Step 2.

*If you must call or write, please provide: model number, serial number, date of purchase, and a complete description of the problem. This infor- mation iS needed in order to better respond to your request for assistance.

11

RFOOl

LENGTHOFWARRANTY

FULL ONE-YEAR WARRANTY

From Date of Purchase

WHIRLPOOL WILL PAY FOR

FSP@ replacement parts and repair labor to correct defects in materials or workmanship. Service must be provided by a franchised TECH-CARE@ service company.

FSP replacement parts for electronic control system if defective in materials or workmanship. (Electronic models only.)

LIMITED FIVE-YEAR

WARRANTY

From Date of Purchase

FULL FIVE-YEAR WARRANTY

From Date of Purchase

FSP replacement parts and repair labor to correct defects in materials or workmanship in the sealed refrigeration system.

These parts are:

1. Compressor

2. Evaporator

3. Condenser

4. Drier

5. Connecting tubing

Service must be provided by a franchised TECH-CARE@ service company.

WHIRLPOOL WILL NOT PAY FOR

A.

Service calls to:

1. Correct the installation of the refrigerator.

2. Instruct you how to use the refrigerator.

3. Replace house fuses or correct house wiring or plumbing.

4. Replace light bulbs.

B.

Repairs when refrigerator is used in other than normal, single-family household use.

C. Pick up and delivery. This product is designed to be repaired in the home.

D.

Damage to refrigerator caused by accident, misuse, fire, flood, acts of God or use of products not approved by Whirlpool.

E.

Any labor costs during limited warranty.

F.

Any food loss due to product failure. -

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL

DAMAGES. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages so this limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

Outside the United States, a different warranty may apply. For details, please contact your franchised

Whirlpool distributor or military exchange.

Part No, 1124661

01969 Whirlpool Corporation

Printed in U.S.A.