Kenmore Overcooling / Thermostat or Sensor Miscalibration

Freezer is too cold; items are rock hard and may show freezer burn; temperature reading is lower than setpoint.

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Safety Warning

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

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Possible Causes

Stuck-closed mechanical thermostat, Faulty cabinet thermistor reading too warm, Control board not cycling compressor off, Shorted sensor wiring

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Unplug the freezer before accessing controls or sensors.

Steps to correct overcooling:

  • 1. Verify setpoint: Confirm the control is not set to the coldest setting. Adjust to a mid-range setting and monitor for 24 hours.
  • 2. Check actual temperature: Use an appliance thermometer to verify interior temperature. If it remains much colder than the setpoint, suspect control or sensor issues.
  • 3. For mechanical thermostats: Access the thermostat behind the control knob. Inspect for burnt contacts or stuck mechanism. Replace the thermostat if it does not open and stop the compressor when the set temperature is reached.
  • 4. For electronic controls: Test the cabinet thermistor as described under E1. Replace if readings are out of range.
  • 5. Observe compressor cycling: If the compressor runs nearly constantly even at warmer settings, the control board may be defective and require replacement.

Note: Overcooling wastes energy and can damage some food items; address promptly.

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Repair Difficulty

Medium 3/5

Required Part

Temperature Control Thermostat
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