Posted on 02/17/2014 9:51:29 PM PST by djf
OK about 6 months ago I get a new fridge. It's a Frigidaire HE model, with a small freezer on top and a regular refrigerator below.
It worked GREAT! I put a bunch of stuff in the freezer, and regular stuff below.
About 3 weeks ago I started to notice some minor icing inside the freezer door when I opened it. Didn't mean much to me... Lately, the freezer part seems to work fine, but the regular part below was about 50 degrees F no matter how cold I turned it.
So.... I unloaded the freezer. I then removed the very back panel, which has the blower motor attached, and has the cooling coils underneath.
The entire back part was one big chunk ice! Now right below the main freezer coils, there is an inlet that allows cold air to get pumped through to the regular refrigerator compartment.
I removed the back panel disconnecting some plugs, and used my blower to thaw out and melt all the ice off the coils, switches, etc.
I could have just let it sit idle and turned off and defrost, but it would have probably taken a couple days.
So for those out there who wonder if their fridge is working right, be advised a little maintenance and know-how can keep it operating at it's top efficiency!
Some people I know don't have the temperament or ability to start disassembling things. In that case, you should be able to find a neighbor or call someone who knows more about it.
So this is just a short blurb about my exciting evening!
;-)
That is the correct reply. I had to replace both on our previous fridge. Also, the defrost fan may not be moving enough air to keep the fridge area cold.
no a/c - just breezes and fans - summers are notoriously humid here - I also checked the ice cube maker, shutting off the water line - no change, so I figure its the defrost right?
Well, now that I have the vents unblocked and know the operational characteristics, I will watch and see if it happens again.
If it does, then I have a parts problem.
If not, then it’s fixed!
Yay!
Sometimes ya gotta be happy with little victories, eh?
Unfortunately, it’s more than just ‘maintenance’.
I had a Frigidaire Stainless/frostless side-by-side model with icemaker, predating the newer high-efficiency models (which run all the time, by the way, but apparently use less power). One day I noticed it wasn’t cooling the fridge part either. I also decided to do some ‘maintenance’ and noticed some stains on the floor & in the pan that looked like it could be oil from the system. Called a repair person, he gave me a line (I’m a technician/geek), said he’d have to take it back to his shop for diagnosis and gave me a quote for replacing the compressor. I told him I’d give him a call if I decided to fix rather than replace (intending on calling around). $80 diagnosis bill.
Called around to acquaintances, got a referral to a former LEO running his own thing on appliance repair, stopped by & spoke to him, got some ‘free advice’ and the fridge has been working ever since.
The free advice?
Apparently the ‘frost-free’ models can freeze inside the panels. Hairdryer won’t work. He said “let it set unplugged & open for 2-3 days and then plug it back in & try it out”; it had already sat for 4 days in the garage because I’d already replaced it with a high-efficiency Frigidaire Gallery side-by-side with icemaker (which I highly recommend after owning for 3 years). I let the fridge set for only 2 days, but that was apparently not enough.
Basically the same fix/result you had, but with no ice symptoms (but spots on the floor, which was the reason I called a tech) and also involved an unscrupulous technician. The spots, I surmised, were from copper oxide & condensation; the fridge still works to this day in my former employer’s breakroom.
My conclusion was that the guy was going to call me from his shop, tell me it ‘was the compressor’ and sell it used after defrosting it himself when I told him I was replacing it. Crooked a$$hole.
MAKE SURE that the freezer is not getting too cold. Use a thermometer, the freezer temp should not be below 0 (reads between 0-30) degrees F. If it gets too cold the system cannot defrost itself. I have had the same problem and after turning down the freezer portion of my fridge everything works nicely. Also Ice Cream is not ROCK HARD and is easier to serve.
When the fridge gets a little cold on the inside bottom, or along the inner sides, but is not getting cold enough, if it's not low on coolant, and the compressor and fan work, etc, --- it can be the door switch.
Moisture can seep in. ruining that switch -- which typically 'works' by cutting power to the fan and sending power to the light circuit when the door is open.
When it doesn't work, when the door is in closed position, instead of the switch then being depressed and making connection in the fan circuit--- it doesn't, which is why in this instance a refrigerator can be getting a little cold at (inner) bottom or sides, but not cold enough overall, since the air isn't circulating, making the 'fridge sense it's cold enough, shutting down the compressor, etc.
The door switch often as not, if needing replacement, can be pried out of the recess they are set in, having only a few wires that will need be re-connected to a replacement switch.
Switches can be had (if going through an industrial supply house, rather than Sears, or a place which sells and services appliances ) from around $5 to $15.
Cleaning dust off coils on the bottom is another important maintenance function to do a few times a year. Easy to do with a long brush that can be purchased at most appliance parts stores.
We had a blocked vent on the garage fridge back in the summer. Wife had added some packaged meat and blocked the air flow. Moved that package and it was fixed.
Great point. Thanks! Hopefully my new fridge will perform longer than most. I opted for the stainless front due to rust complaints on the non-stainless models from the water/ice dispenser. Flawless to-date.
Interesting technical point: I just located my model’s door switches...they’re outside the fridge on the top of the hinge mounts.
“...subtracts from usable space...”
Yes, that is really true. Esp. in those side-by-side fridges. My daughter has one of those and the ice maker/water dispenser takes out a whole shelf in the freezer part.
On our old refrigerator, that came with the house, there was a water dispenser inside, it was just a little tap on the side. I’ve never seen another one like that. It was OK, but it is the same water that’s coming out of the tap anyway.
If I’m drinking water I really like that Dansani brand, I know coca-cola makes it, but I just think it is delicious.
I’ll check it out - Im kinda flummoxed though as the water shouldn’t be coming into the freezer basin...but will check the evap pan as you suggest
Cleaning dust off coils on the bottom is another important maintenance function...
++++
Yep, I got one of those brushes and it’s especially important to do if you own an pet that sheds.
Off topic but your hot water heater needs some maintenance too...once a year you should drain off one gallon of water to get rid of sediment.
I’m a ‘fixit guy’ too, years ago my clothes dryer started squealing like crazy, I took it apart and cleaned all around the drum when the belt traveled, wiped of the belt. No more squealing.
It’s a medicinal formula. :)
Have done this twice to our kitchen fridge for about $100 each time. Less expensive than buying an new fridge!
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