Appliance Spares
Quick answer: A Whirlpool fridge running warm while the freezer still freezes is classic evaporator fan failure — the fan that pushes freezer cold into the fridge section has stopped, and a replacement is $36.50–$65.00. If both compartments are warming, work through the thermostat ($38.95–$39.95), a blocked or iced airflow path, and the condenser fan ($53.95). All are screwdriver jobs that never touch the sealed gas system.
Find the right Whirlpool part by model number. Fridge icing up at the back as well? See the Whirlpool not-defrosting guide — a failed defrost eventually blocks the airflow and reads as “not cooling”.
Match the symptom to the cause
| What you see | Most likely cause | Cost to fix |
|---|---|---|
| Fridge warm, freezer fine, no fan sound inside | Evaporator fan motor failed | $36.50–$65.00 |
| Fridge warm, freezer fine, back panel inside is iced solid | Defrost fault choking the airflow | see defrost guide |
| Both compartments creeping warm, compressor running hot | Condenser fan failed or coils furred with dust | $0–$53.95 |
| Fridge swings between too cold and too warm | Thermostat losing its calibration | $38.95–$39.95 |
| Clicking every few minutes, no cooling at all | Compressor start relay — see the clicking guide | varies |
Check 1: Can you hear the fan?
Open the freezer, hold the door switch in, and listen. A healthy Whirlpool whirrs quietly from behind the freezer’s rear panel. Silence — or a laboured grind — means the evaporator fan is gone, and without it the fridge compartment gets no cold air at all: freezer freezes, fridge warms. It is the single most common Whirlpool no-cool fault we ship parts for.
| Your Whirlpool fridge | Part | Price |
|---|---|---|
 WRN28–WRN42 series top mounts | Whirlpool evaporator freezer fan motor for the WRN series | $36.50 |
 WRID41/WRID45 and WRIT41 models | Whirlpool evaporator fan motor for WRID and WRIT models | $49.95 |
 WRIBT/WRIBP bottom mounts | Whirlpool evaporator fan motor W10871356 | $49.95 |
 WRI24S, WR124U, WRI27U and older WRI/WR1 models | Whirlpool evaporator fan motor for the WRI and WR1 series | $65.00 |
 6WMV43NW, 6WMV47NW | Whirlpool fridge freezer fan motor for the 6WMV series | $46.00 |
The swap: unplug the fridge, empty and unscrew the freezer’s rear panel, unplug the fan connector, transfer the blade if needed, and reverse. Allow 45 minutes, most of it moving frozen peas.
Check 2: The thermostat (temperature swings)
If the fridge overshoots both ways — freezing the lettuce one week, warm milk the next — the thermostat has lost its calibration. Two common fits: the Whirlpool fridge thermostat for WDF34K models ($39.95) and the Whirlpool thermostat for the WRO34UW ($38.95). The thermostat lives behind the temperature dial; note where the capillary tube is clipped before you pull the old one, and route the new tube exactly the same way.
Check 3: The condenser side (both compartments warm)
When fridge and freezer both drift warm, the machine can’t shed heat. Pull the fridge out, unplug it, and vacuum the coils and the compressor bay — a decade of dust is sometimes the entire fault, and the fix is free. If the rear fan doesn’t spin once the compressor is running, fit the condenser fan motor for Whirlpool side-by-side fridges ($53.95).
Repair cost summary (Australia 2026)
| Cause | Part cost | Job |
|---|---|---|
| Vacuum the condenser coils | $0 | 15 minutes |
| Evaporator fan motor | $36.50–$65.00 | 45 minutes |
| Thermostat | $38.95–$39.95 | 30–45 minutes |
| Condenser fan motor | $53.95 | 45 minutes |
| Technician callout for the same job | commonly $200–$350 | — |
| New fridge | $900–$3,000 | — |
The 50% rule: every part here is under $70. Unless the compressor itself has died, a warm Whirlpool is well worth fixing.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my Whirlpool fridge not cold but the freezer works?
The evaporator fan that moves freezer air into the fridge section has failed, or ice has blocked the air path. No fan noise means the fan; a frosted-solid rear freezer panel means the defrost system.
My Whirlpool fridge is running warm but not completely dead. Where do I start?
Vacuum the condenser coils first (free), then check the evaporator fan is actually spinning, then suspect the thermostat. Warm-but-running is airflow or heat-shedding nine times out of ten — not the compressor.
Is it safe to replace these parts myself?
Yes — fan motors and thermostats plug in and screw down without opening the sealed refrigerant circuit, which is the part of a fridge that legally requires a licensed technician. Unplug the fridge before you start.
How do I find my Whirlpool model number?
On the model sticker inside the fridge compartment, usually along the side wall or behind a crisper drawer. Enter it in the Part Finder for the exact-fit part.
Do these parts ship same day?
Yes — order by 12pm Sydney time for same-day dispatch Australia-wide.
Related
- Whirlpool fridge not defrosting — defrost timer fix
- Fridge not cooling but freezer works — diagnosis for every brand
- Fridge clicking noise — compressor won’t start
- All Whirlpool fridge parts in stock
Ready to fix it?
- Run your model number through the Oz Appliance Spares Part Finder — model in, exact-fit part out.
- Browse thousands of parts in stock
- Order by 12pm Sydney time → ships same day from our Sydney Northern Beaches warehouse, Australia-wide.
Disclaimer: this article is general information only and is provided without warranty of any kind. Appliance designs vary between models and production runs — always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, switch off and unplug the appliance before starting any work, and confirm parts against the model number on your appliance’s model sticker. Any repair is undertaken at your own risk and Oz Appliance Spares accepts no liability for injury, loss or damage arising from work performed after reading this guide, to the maximum extent permitted by law. If in doubt, use a qualified technician.
