How to Troubleshoot Cooling Issues and Water Leaks in a Whirlpool Refrigerator

Unplug the refrigerator, and remove food from the refrigerator section.

Confirm the freezer is cooling normally while the refrigerator section isn’t cooling well.

Check for ice on the back wall, water collecting in the crisper area, or a grinding noise from the back wall.

Lift up on the top shelves, and pull them out of the refrigerator.

Use a flathead screwdriver to push the small plastic hook on the inner side of each crisper drawer glide toward the front, then lift the drawer up and out.

Remove the glass, and pull out the entire crisper assembly.

Pull the chef’s pantry drawer out, and remove the pantry glass to expose the large cross piece behind it.

On a three-door model, remove the pantry glass, then use a flathead screwdriver to remove the wire-harness cover on the chef’s pantry.

Unplug the pantry wire from the harness, then slide the cross piece to the left and remove it once the wire trunk is free.

Use a 1/4 inch hex screwdriver to remove the two long screws from the filter assembly cover.

Use a flathead screwdriver to pry the plastic facade down off the tabs, then disconnect the light wire harness to remove the facade.

Separate every wire harness between the water tower and the ice maker so the assemblies can move freely.

Use needle-nose pliers to push the cap into the valve, then pull the water line out from the water tower connection.

Gently pry off the ice maker’s front facade, then disconnect the small heater wire harness attached to it.

Use a 1/4 inch hex screwdriver to remove the two screws holding the ice maker, then pull the ice maker forward and down to remove it.

Use a 1/4 inch hex screwdriver to remove the two screws holding the evaporator panel.

Use a flathead screwdriver to separate the small tabs on the outside edges of the metal shelf brackets, then pry the air tower cover off.

Enter diagnostics by pressing and holding the left two buttons on the door interface for three seconds.

Press the fifth button until you reach option number three for the evaporator fan.

Press the third button once to shift fan modes and confirm the fan turns on.

Press the small flap on the evaporator fan harness connector, and pull it apart to disconnect it.

If your model has a thermostat attached to the housing, use needle-nose pliers to remove it.

Use needle-nose pliers to pull and stretch the four rubber mounting pegs from the bottom until the fan releases from the housing.

Install the replacement W11033168 fan, thermistor, and thermostat kit components in the evaporator area.

Move the thermistor from the top of the black and copper coils down onto the flat section of the black evaporator tubing where ice is likely to form.

Thread the white thermistor through the small hole, and clip it back into the gray thermistor holder.

Seat the fan by threading the four rubber pegs into their slots, then use needle-nose pliers to pull each peg until it’s fully seated on the housing.

Inspect the drain hole and plastic drain pan area for damage, ice, or debris that can block drainage and cause water to pool in the refrigerator.

Use curved needle-nose pliers to remove debris from the drain opening if present.

Flush the drain with water using a bottle and a small plastic tube to blast out ice and small obstructions.

Enter diagnostics again, then select mode number seven.

Press button number three to switch to the second mode to force a basic 8-hour defrost pattern.

Reinstall the air tower cover and evaporator panel, ensuring all tabs and screws are fully seated.

Reinstall the ice maker by aligning the four locating clips, then secure it with its two screws and reconnect the heater harness and water line.

Reconnect all water tower and light wiring harnesses, then snap the water housing facade back onto its tabs and reinstall the two long screws.