refrigerator troubles...

[RU482]

I've got a maytag side by side refirgerator, approximately 5 yrs old.
even though the settings haven't changed, the items in the refirgerator have started to seem warmer while the items in the freezer seem frozen harder (ice cream, for example)

I did a little investigation. Basically there is a 2x4" port between the fridge and the "cooling coils" (I have no idea what they are called) that reside in the freezer. I noticed a bunch of frost in the port, but not enough to block it.

So I emptied the freezer, took off the back panel to expose the "cooling coil". It was almost completely iced over. There is also a fan that blows over this coil. I think that this ice is blocking/reducing the flow of air to the 2x4" port to the fridge side, thus resulting in the warmer temps in the fridge.

Anyway, I assume this is supposed to be a "frost free" fridge. Wouldn't that mean that the "cooling coil" is not supposed to ice over??

Shitty part is, I bought the 5 year extended warranty on the thing from Best Buy in Jan 01. But we've moved so many times since then that I have no idea where it is.

 

[FoBoT]

i need a new door for my garage fridge

 

[shilala]

The "cooling coil" is an evaporator.
Either your defrost timer, heaters, or defrost limit is out.
I can fix it, but you can't.
Get the model number, find the parts blowup, and I'll show you what you can do.

 

[funboy6942]

Defrost timer is bad. Mine did just what yours is doing and after the timer was replaced all was good.

 

[RU482]

shilala, here's the diagrams!!
thanks for your input

 

[shilala]

On the "Wiring Information" sheet, you'll see the defrost thermostat, adaptive defrost, and the defrost heater.
If you go to http://www.partselect.com/PartSearchRes...756DEQ&fkmfgID=1&Hint=adaptive+defrost you'll see the parts you need.
You can test the defrost heater by checking it for continuity.
I can't see the internal workings of the adaptive defrost (defrost timer) so I can't tell if you can just manually advance it.
First point of order is to look for the adaptive defrost and see what can or can't be done with it.
The adaptive defrost is probably under the refrigerator. I can't tell from the controls blowup.
See if you can locate it and we'll go from there.

 

[MustISO]

Amazing this should come up. I have a GE side-by-side. 5 years old as well.
Fridge side just started to get warmer. It's currently 51° in there according to the thermometer.
We have someone coming out from GE which I'm sure if going to be $$$ if it's not covered.

 

[Thegonagle]

Yup. Not defrosting.

There's no magic involved in frost-free freezers. Frost-free models are subject to frosting just like "regular" models, but an electric heater just melts the frost every day or two. The melt water drips into a wide, shallow pan underneath the refrigerator, where it evaporates by the time the next defrost cycle starts.

Warning: Since there's going to be a lot more melt water coming off the coils than normal when your freezer does finally defrost, be prepared for the pan to overflow and make a mess. You should probably empty the pan manually when the ordeal is over, so that it doesn't overflow at the next normal defrost cycle.

 

[MustISO]

I don't see a pan under mine. The only thing under mine is a whole mess of what looks like a giant heatsink. There is a hose that runs down to the front behind the dust shield right under the doors but I don't see anything like a pan.

Edit: I don't have any frost build up in the freezer.

 

[jabamayne]

Well, had you got a "Sony" freezer...and a GE refrig...you wouldnt have any problems with either..

http://www.epinions.com/pr-sony_solus_b..._cu_27dcf225/_redir_att__~1/sp_~iother

LOL..

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: MustISO
I don't see a pan under mine. The only thing under mine is a whole mess of what looks like a giant heatsink. There is a hose that runs down to the front behind the dust shield right under the doors but I don't see anything like a pan.

Edit: I don't have any frost build up in the freezer.

On the OP's fridge, it's part number 16, "PAN, DRAIN" on the "COMPRESSOR" explod-o-gram (from his link).

Don't know how yours works. Maybe the melt water drips onto the "heat sink" (condenser) for faster evaporation.

 

[Bartman39]

The defrost cycle is pretty simple... As are the parts...

The timer...

The thermostatic switch

The heating element



Also Here is a great place as well... I fixed my Maytag Frig when its defrost system went on the blink and it cost a whole $22.50 including shipping for the thermostatic switch...

 

[dmcowen674]

OK guys.

I think I know the answer to this and I was planning on getting a new Fridge anyway but here goes.

It is a 16 yr old GE Fridge that is now working more like a Freezer than a Fridge.

Have had to turn the Temp control as low as it will go and everything is still icing up in the Fridge area.

I believe this may be from it being too low on R12 causing extra high pressure???

It's a small Fridge so planning on getting a side by side with water/Ice on the front.