[This followup was posted to sci.electronics.repair and a copy was sent
to the cited author.]

In article 96719723-72f2-4be2-98a2-
,
says...

My son has a Ropor refrigerator. I think this was a Whirlpool
contractor model for about 300.00 I haven't got the model number but
it is 7 years old. The freezer is on top. Recently he noticed that the
freezer seemed cold enough but the refrigerator section was too warm.
The controls were both apparently set to max. He cleaned it out and
disconnected power with the intention of getting rid of it. I told him
that we should at least try to investigate this a little further
before condemning the box. I'm not sure if they've ever cleaned the
coils under it or not. We just vacuumed the dust off the coils of his
other refrigerator last night and although it didn't seem to have any
performance issues it looked like a blanket of dust, ( I'm not talking
about the fiberglass mat that belongs there) under neath it. I told
him to try vacuuming the coils first and see what happens. Does
anyone have any other diagnostic tips past that point they might be
able to offer? Thanks, Lenny

Not mentioned here but I have had the fan that circulates the cold air
around in the refrigerator fail several times. One time the motor
bearing seized up so the fan would no longer run. Another time the motor
shaft to impeller coupling failed the blades simply sat still while the
motor ran free. Both fixes were straightforward.

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Michael Karas
Carousel Design Solutions
http://www.carousel-design.com