whirlpool side by side

[paul_h]

Looked at my first whirlpool today. I did a search here, not much info besides "replace both PCBs" or links to uk whitegoods for help.
This has been posted in UK whitegoods too, but I didn't expect getting much good info from the massive thread there as a moderator deleted any tech info and requested that no one post anything from a manual, so I gave up reading the thread after that post.
In that thread (and here) I've read about just replacing some capacitors, but in some cases it didn't help, and in even more cases the problem returned in 2 weeks I read, so I'm not going to bother about repair, just replace the PCBs I think.

Anyway, it's a side by side S26S5DF (SB715W), that wasn't cold and the display turned off frequently (no flashing just went off apparantly).

I found the evap coil iced up, so I defrosted it. When I tested the heater it was 86ohms, when I meggered it it was shorted to earth.
I have no idea why it wasn't tripping the c/b though.
I thought about this and guessed the heater short must have damaged something on the board, causing it to not attempt defrost.

Anyway, I thought it would run for a couple of days with the heater disconnected while I go and buy one, so I put everything back together again and turned it on.
When I turned it on, display was normal, no flashing, but no compressor operation either. When I tried some buttons, like the water dispenser light or holding down the temp buttons, then the display flash and relay clicking started happenning.

I was hoping it was caused by the heater being disconnected, but now I've found this uk whitegoods thread and realise that this is a PCB problem.
I don't have the serial/product numbers though, anyone know if this model has two different possible PCBs and whether I may need both or just the main PCB for this model (and have to go back)?
Any one got a service manual, any onboard diagnostics instructions or know who the best supplier is to get parts from in aus?

This is the first and looks to be the last whirlpool I look at

edit: Also the owner said the ice maker doesn't work, but I don't know if they meant recently stopped, or hasn't worked for a while.
I usually prefer working on residential/office a/cs rather than any type of fridges so I don't have to work after hours or weekends, but a commercial job got me out of bed early on a saturday so I thought I may as well look at this job too. What a pain!

[Electrocoolman]

The capacitors do seem to be the cause.
Would also check for dry joints and power resistors used for dropping volts.

[tonto33]

need serial number to check which boards

[paul_h]

I went back today and gt the numbers off the fridge
8586 181 53010
11 0430 017987

Went to the general domestic parts supplier where I normally get odd bits and peices, and they weren't aware of any changes that meant both PCBs were required.

[tonto33]

by look of it both boards
OK S26 3 Versions
Model S26S5DF Version 858618153010
Model S26W3DF Version 858618153002
Model s26w3df Version 858618153000
Use same PCBS
Rear PCB Power
Part # 481221778171 supercedes to
Part# 481221778203 then to supercedes To
Part# 481221778215

Front pcb
Part # 481221728001 supercedes to
Part# 4812227128003

[brian m w]

When i worked for Expert we was advised by Whirlpool to replace both pcb's at the same time in all cases.