all fans are working, thermostats both working upper damper is working. no issues with the control system at all, just the original bad starter...the 3-in-1 is a quick install and only $10 so i'm into a pretty nice SS side by side for $85...
I am going with a piece of trim missing. not shown in diagrams as it's likely supposed to be glued to the interior panel (I went home at lunch and inspected the drawer and area again, did see some residue there) I thought maybe the drawer had some sort of seal to divert air but nothing like that, so for now having the hole stuffed mostly shut with napkins, foam, and some duct tape, I am maintaining a nice even 30 F. with the freezer able to get as cold as -20f....
maybe i'll get fancy and make a grill of some sort from something and screw it over the hole with a sliding vent like on a charcoal grill...