Maytag Refrigerator freezing food?

[Drew99GT]

I have an older Maytag Plus top/bottom fridge and over the past 2 days have noticed food in the back is freezing. The temp dials for both the freezer and fridge are set in the exact middle; temperature as measured with an infrared gun is about 32 degrees in the back and 35-38 up front. normally it runs mid 30s in the back to about 40 up front.

I checked the condenser and it was absolutely plugged solid with dust/animal fur etc.

Question; wouldn't a plugged condenser cause it to run warmer and not too cold? If cleaning it doesn't solve the problem, I'll move on to other parts like the damper or the thermostat control.

thanks

 

[dishdude]

Sounds like the damper is sticking open.

 

[CharBaby]

I have had this happen when the refrigerator was move from house to house on it's side instead of upright.

 

[SrDriver]

Is ice building up in the back of the freezer section?

If so it could be the defrost control but sounds more like the thermostat may have went bad?

Best temperature in a refrigerator to prevent spoilage is 40 degrees in the fresh food compartment and around zero degrees in the freezer section.

 

[Win]

Check the fan for proper operation. Sounds like air is not circulating.

 

[JHZR2]

Fan/flaps/controls

 

[Drew99GT]

So a solidly plugged up condenser couldn't cause this? The fans for the condenser and inside the fridge are both working properly.

 

[Thermo1223]

Maybe it is overcooling in response to a lack of temp drop on the condensor.

The only way you'll know is to clean it. Worst case, bad thermostat .

 

[toneydoc]

Check the area where you have air circulation. If you have too much stuff in it causing poor air circulation, it can result in some frozen food/stuff in the refridge compartment. Make sure air can move freely.

 

[Warstud]

Sounds like the defrost isn't working.