Customer Support 7 days a week

Welcome Guest! To enable all features please Login or Register.

Notification

Icon
Error

New Topic Post Reply
Options
Go to last post Go to first unread
cajungirl  
#1 Posted : Sunday, December 19, 2010 9:18:06 PM(UTC)
Quote
cajungirl

Rank: Member

Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/19/2010(UTC)
Posts: 2

My Maytag side by side is not working right. The Freezer is not defrosting, continues to Build Up Ice and then the Refrigerator is warm. We think the coil is not working but not sure.

We defrosted freezer 3 days ago and tonight the frig side is Warm Again:confused:

Please help me to know what to do next?????

MSD 2554ARW Serial # 11696092UW MayTag Side by Side
Sponsor
See inside of your appliance - diagrams and part photos for virtually every model.

powered by AppliancePartsPros.com
 
denman  
#2 Posted : Tuesday, December 21, 2010 3:57:20 AM(UTC)
Quote
denman

Rank: Advanced Member

Groups: Senior Expert
Joined: 2/29/2008(UTC)
Posts: 19,638

Thanks: 1 times
Was thanked: 11 time(s) in 11 post(s)
Here is your parts breakdown.
Replacement parts for MAYTAG MSD2554ARW REF - SXS/I&W | AppliancePartsPros.com

Sounds like a defrost problem.

First remove the evaporator cover in the freezer so you can see the coils.
Do not let them de-ice.
If they are heavily iced/frosted over you have a defrost problem.

If yes.
Manually force a defrost cycle by turning the defrost timer cam (Item 13 in Section 2) till the fans and compressor turn off.
The cam only rotates in one direction and there is usually a hole in the cover to let you turn it.
Now check the defrost heater to see if it is on.
Be careful you do not want to burn your fingers.
If the heater is on then the timer needs replacing, re: it is probably stalling during it's rotation so is never getting into a defrost cycle.

If not on.
Unplug the unit.
Unplug the heater/defrost thermostat assembly ( Item 12 in Section 4) and measure across it.
Usually around 20 ohms or so.

Note: The defrost thermostat opens just above freezing so must be frozen to check it. Also inspect it, if it is bulged at all replace it even if it measures OK.

If both the above are OK then odds are the defrost timer contacts are toast.
Best way to test this is a live test to see if you have 120 volts across the heater/defrost thermostat combo.

If you do not own a meter, I would suggest you purchase a one. You can get a decent digital multimeter for under $20.00. You do not need fancy though it is nice if the leads are a couple feet long.
If it saves ordering one unnecessary part it has paid for itself and you end up owning a useful tool.
Most places will not let you return electrical parts so if you order it, you own it.
A couple things to watch when measuring ohms and continuity
1. Always remove power from the machine otherwise you could blow your meter.
2. Always disconnect at least one side of any device you are checking. This eliminates the possibility of measuring an alternate/parallel circuit path.
3. When checking for closed contacts and continuity use the lowest scale (Usually 200 ohms). Then try higher scales. This scale is 0 to 200 ohms so if the device you are measuring is 300 ohms this scale would show an open circuit which it is not, you are just measuring outside the scale's dynamic range.

There is a good STICKY at the start of this forum about it's use.
THIS FORUM IS DEAD!!!!!!!
cajungirl  
#3 Posted : Wednesday, December 22, 2010 8:49:08 PM(UTC)
Quote
cajungirl

Rank: Member

Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/19/2010(UTC)
Posts: 2

Originally Posted by: denman Go to Quoted Post
Here is your parts breakdown.
Replacement parts for MAYTAG MSD2554ARW REF - SXS/I&W | AppliancePartsPros.com

Sounds like a defrost problem.

First remove the evaporator cover in the freezer so you can see the coils.
Do not let them de-ice.
If they are heavily iced/frosted over you have a defrost problem.

If yes.
Manually force a defrost cycle by turning the defrost timer cam (Item 13 in Section 2) till the fans and compressor turn off.
The cam only rotates in one direction and there is usually a hole in the cover to let you turn it.
Now check the defrost heater to see if it is on.
Be careful you do not want to burn your fingers.
If the heater is on then the timer needs replacing, re: it is probably stalling during it's rotation so is never getting into a defrost cycle.

If not on.
Unplug the unit.
Unplug the heater/defrost thermostat assembly ( Item 12 in Section 4) and measure across it.
Usually around 20 ohms or so.

Note: The defrost thermostat opens just above freezing so must be frozen to check it. Also inspect it, if it is bulged at all replace it even if it measures OK.

If both the above are OK then odds are the defrost timer contacts are toast.
Best way to test this is a live test to see if you have 120 volts across the heater/defrost thermostat combo.

If you do not own a meter, I would suggest you purchase a one. You can get a decent digital multimeter for under $20.00. You do not need fancy though it is nice if the leads are a couple feet long.
If it saves ordering one unnecessary part it has paid for itself and you end up owning a useful tool.
Most places will not let you return electrical parts so if you order it, you own it.
A couple things to watch when measuring ohms and continuity
1. Always remove power from the machine otherwise you could blow your meter.
2. Always disconnect at least one side of any device you are checking. This eliminates the possibility of measuring an alternate/parallel circuit path.
3. When checking for closed contacts and continuity use the lowest scale (Usually 200 ohms). Then try higher scales. This scale is 0 to 200 ohms so if the device you are measuring is 300 ohms this scale would show an open circuit which it is not, you are just measuring outside the scale's dynamic range.

There is a good STICKY at the start of this forum about it's use.

Thank you DENMAN! It was the Defrost Timer and the Element. My husband repaced both items after checking as you outlined and The Old Frig is BACK TO COLD!

Happy Holidays
denman  
#4 Posted : Thursday, December 23, 2010 12:00:40 AM(UTC)
Quote
denman

Rank: Advanced Member

Groups: Senior Expert
Joined: 2/29/2008(UTC)
Posts: 19,638

Thanks: 1 times
Was thanked: 11 time(s) in 11 post(s)
You are welcome and Happy Holidays to you and yours.

The good news is you are up and running.
The bad news is Holiday leftovers are going to last longer.

And thanks for getting back to us. Now when others search for a similar problem they will see what actually worked instead of just suggestions about what could be the cause.
THIS FORUM IS DEAD!!!!!!!
Quick Reply Show Quick Reply
Users browsing this topic
New Topic Post Reply
Forum Jump  
You can post new topics in this forum.
You can reply to topics in this forum.
You can delete your posts in this forum.
You can edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You can vote in polls in this forum.