My 9 year old American style side by side Whirlpool (think it's an RBB25) has stopped cooling and the front panel flashes, the alarm is constant. Neither the fridge or freezer are working although the motor still runs.

The 8 year warranty ran out and I didn't renew the parts warranty so I'm up for the full cost. I'm trying to decide whether to just scrap the thing and replace with something smaller and cheaper or have it repaired.

Martin B., July 2011

If the front panel is flashing 2 hyphens, the freezer is warmer then -12 degrees. 99% of the time it's the rear module.
If the freezer display and fridge display is flashing, you need an exchange module.
broddersbaldrick may help you out on a big auction site

Mike, August 2012

You can definately hear the motor and in fact if you flip up the flap on the ice maker you get cold air coming through. I wondered if it is to do with the rear circuit board.

I have never had to defrost the freezer nor had to chip at anything. It never seems to have collected the usual lumps of ice but since new has struggled with putting new items in it - the temp would rise and the alarm would sound so I would push the "super freeze" button and it would catch up.

Anyway the front panel started flashing and the more things you turn on the faster the flashing gets. It is almost like it has very reduced power so if you want the light on, the ice dispenser etc.. it can't manage it. Now it can't manage to freeze the freezer or chill the fridge at all. Could it be something to do with the power?

Martin B, July 2011

As the motor, (compressor) is running, and it is not getting cold, It would suggest, that the refrigerant has gone, usual cause of that is a damaged evaporator, (the plates inside the unit) happens when defrosting, chipping the ice off. If that is the case, it would need the evaporator replaced, not usually possible to repair. Other area of leak, is the condenser, (the big black thing on the back). Same thing, It would need to be replaced if leaking, can be repaired, BUT. Costly to repair. Due to to cost of the unit, (expensive, I have one) Probably less than a new one. But as your is over 8 yrs. Well. It would probably be a bit cheaper to repair, depending on who you get, Depend on the problem. Could be no gas, could be something else, But as the Motor is running.

SD, July 2011