GE GSS25GSHSS (Side-by-Side) – Not cooling on one side Repair Guide

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🔧 Not cooling on one side Repair Guide for GE GSS25GSHSS (Side-by-Side)

💡 Don’t panic! Test damper control; verify air circulation between compartments

📋 What You’ll Need

  • Damper control
  • Temperature sensors

🔧 Step-by-Step Repair Instructions

🔧 Step 1: Test damper control operation

  1. Open the fresh food compartment door and locate the air damper housing in the upper rear wall, centered horizontally, approximately 2 inches down from the top ceiling panel.
  2. Identify the damper control cover—a white plastic rectangular housing measuring approximately 4 inches wide by 3 inches tall with visible vent slots.
  3. Set the fresh food temperature control to the coldest setting by rotating the dial or pressing the temperature down button on the control panel until it reaches the lowest number (typically “9” or “1°F”).
  4. Listen closely to the damper housing for 10-15 seconds—you should hear a soft motorized humming sound and a subtle clicking as the damper door opens fully.
  5. Place your hand directly in front of the damper vent slots and feel for cold air flowing from the freezer compartment—airflow should be noticeably strong and cold within 30 seconds.
  6. Adjust the fresh food temperature control to the warmest setting by rotating the dial or pressing the temperature up button to the highest number (typically “1” or “46°F”).
  7. Listen again for 10-15 seconds—you should hear the motor hum and click as the damper door closes.
  8. Place your hand in front of the vent slots again—airflow should stop completely or reduce to barely perceptible within 30 seconds.
  9. If you hear no motor sound, feel no airflow change, or the damper doesn’t respond to temperature adjustments, the damper control assembly requires replacement (part number WR17X12156 or WR17X11458 depending on manufacture date).
  10. If the damper operates correctly with audible motor operation and airflow changes corresponding to temperature settings, the damper control is functioning properly and is not the source of your cooling problem—proceed to inspect other components in the cooling system.

🛠️ Step 2: Check air circulation

  1. Open the fresh food compartment door and locate the air vents at the back wall of the refrigerator section, positioned vertically in the center, spanning approximately 18 inches from top to bottom.
  2. Remove all items stored within 3 inches of these back wall vents to access them fully.
  3. Place your hand directly in front of each vent opening and feel for cold air flow – you should detect a noticeable stream of cold air within 5 seconds.
  4. Open the freezer compartment and locate the air return vent at the top back wall, measuring approximately 8 inches wide by 4 inches tall.
  5. Remove any frost buildup on the freezer vent using a plastic scraper, working from top to bottom until the vent openings are completely clear.
  6. Locate the evaporator fan inside the freezer by opening the freezer door and listening for a fan motor sound – it sits behind the back panel where the vents are located.
  7. If you hear no fan noise, press the door light switch manually with your finger (located on the upper right freezer frame, 2 inches from the top) to simulate a closed door condition – the fan should start running within 3 seconds.
  8. Check the condenser coils underneath the refrigerator by removing the front grille, located at the bottom front, held by 2 clips on each end – pull the top edge toward you to release.
  9. Shine a flashlight through the bottom opening and look for dust buildup on the black coil fins visible 6-8 inches back from the front edge.
  10. Use a refrigerator coil brush (18-24 inches long with flexible bristles) to clean the coils by inserting it horizontally and moving side-to-side 10-15 times until minimal dust appears on the brush.
  11. Vacuum the area under the refrigerator using a crevice tool attachment to remove loosened debris.
  12. Snap the front grille back into place by aligning the bottom tabs first, then pushing the top edge until both clips audibly click.

⚙️ Step 3: Inspect for blocked vents

  1. Open the refrigerator door and locate the air vents on the back wall of the fresh food compartment, positioned approximately 2 inches from the top and running horizontally across the width.
  2. Remove all food items, shelves, and bins from the fresh food compartment to access these vents completely.
  3. Look through the vent slats (typically 8-10 horizontal openings, each approximately 0.25 inches wide) using a flashlight to check for visible obstructions like ice buildup, food debris, or packaging materials.
  4. Insert a straightened wire coat hanger or a flexible 18-inch plastic zip tie through each vent opening, gently probing to detect any blockages up to 6 inches deep into the duct.
  5. Open the freezer compartment and locate the lower return air vent, positioned at the bottom front of the freezer floor, measuring approximately 10 inches wide by 2 inches tall.
  6. Remove the freezer bins and baskets to expose this vent completely.
  7. Shine a flashlight through the return vent slots and look for ice accumulation, frozen food particles, or frost buildup blocking the airflow path.
  8. Check the evaporator cover panel (located on the back wall of the freezer, approximately 18 inches tall by 24 inches wide) for frost accumulation around its edges, which indicates air leakage.
  9. Place your hand near each vent opening while the compressor is running (you’ll hear a humming sound) to feel for steady airflow—you should detect cool air movement within 30 seconds.
  10. If airflow feels weak or absent from the fresh food vents, the passage between freezer and refrigerator compartments is blocked and requires clearing (covered in Step 4).
  11. Document which specific vents have blockages by noting their position (left, center, or right section of the vent panel).

🔩 Step 4: Verify temperature sensors

  1. Locate the fresh food sensor on the rear wall of the refrigerator compartment, positioned 2 inches below the top shelf bracket on the right side behind the control panel.
  2. Pull the white plastic sensor housing straight toward you – it friction-fits into a grommet and requires 5-8 pounds of pulling force to remove.
  3. Disconnect the white 2-pin connector attached to the sensor wire by pressing the release tab on top with your thumb while pulling the connector halves apart.
  4. Set your digital multimeter to resistance (Ί) mode and select the 20K ohm range.
  5. Touch the red multimeter probe to one terminal on the sensor and the black probe to the other terminal.
  6. Read the resistance value: at room temperature (70°F), the sensor should read 8,000-10,000 ohms. At refrigerator temperature (37°F), it should read 15,000-17,000 ohms.
  7. Place the sensor in a cup of ice water for 2 minutes and retest – the reading should rise to 32,000-34,000 ohms at 32°F.
  8. Locate the freezer sensor on the left sidewall of the freezer compartment, 8 inches from the bottom, mounted in a white clip behind the wire shelf.
  9. Remove the freezer sensor using the same friction-pull method, disconnect its identical white 2-pin connector, and test with your multimeter.
  10. At freezer temperature (0°F), the sensor should read 42,000-45,000 ohms. In ice water (32°F), expect 32,000-34,000 ohms.
  11. If either sensor reads “OL” (open/infinite resistance), shows zero resistance, or falls outside these ranges by more than 2,000 ohms, replace it with part number WR55X10025 (fresh food) or WR55X10011 (freezer).
  12. Reconnect both sensors by pushing the 2-pin connectors together until they click, then press each sensor housing back into its grommet until flush with the wall.

📋 Step 5: Replace damper if faulty

  1. Locate the damper assembly in the upper rear section of the fresh food compartment, centered horizontally and positioned approximately 2 inches below the ceiling panel where cold air enters from the freezer.
  2. Remove the damper cover by pressing the two release tabs on the left and right sides simultaneously while pulling the cover straight toward you—it will detach from the mounting clips.
  3. Disconnect the white 2-wire electrical connector from the damper motor by gripping the plastic housing (not the wires) and pulling straight out until it separates.
  4. Remove the single Phillips-head #2 screw at the top center of the damper housing, located approximately 1 inch from the air duct opening.
  5. Grasp the damper assembly at both sides and pull forward while tilting the bottom edge outward to release it from the two lower mounting tabs.
  6. Position the new damper assembly (part number WR17X11653) by inserting the two lower tabs into their slots first, then pushing the top edge back until it sits flush against the wall.
  7. Install the Phillips-head #2 screw at the top center and tighten until snug—approximately 8-10 inch-pounds of resistance (finger-tight plus one-quarter turn).
  8. Reconnect the white 2-wire electrical connector by aligning the rectangular plug with the socket on the damper motor and pushing firmly until you hear a distinct click—the connection is secure when no metal pins remain visible.
  9. Verify damper operation by rotating the temperature control dial in the fresh food section from warmest to coldest—you should hear a soft clicking sound from the motor and see the damper blade move from closed to open position within 3-5 seconds.
  10. Snap the damper cover back onto the housing by aligning the four corner tabs with their slots and pressing firmly until all edges sit flush against the compartment wall.

⚠️ Safety Reminders

  • Always unplug the refrigerator before beginning any repair work
  • Allow the unit to warm up if working with frozen components
  • Use proper tools and safety equipment
  • If you’re unsure about any step, consult a professional

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🛒 Recommended Products

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