[gary-b]

Hello,

I have a GE refrig manufactured in 1999. It was in a house I just bought; so I have no history on his refrig.

SYMPTOM:

GE side by side refrig, when first plugged in, starts and cools quickly to the proper temps in the freezer and fresh food sections. BUT it stops cooling at some point and will not restart; (the freezer and fresh food sections are warm the next morning, but interior lights are working.)


THINGS I HAVE OBSERVED AND TRIED TO GET THE REFRIG TO RESTART:

1) I slowly turned the defrost timer control clockwise 1 full turn. I hear a
few "clicks" coming from the defrost timer while turning it, BUT the
refrig does not restart. (Does this mean the defrost timer is MOST
LIKELY NOT causing the no restart symptom?)

QUESTION:
When I turn the defrost timer control and hear the "clicks" I
mentioned from the timer; SHOULD I WAIT A WHILE AFTER EACH
"CLICK" TO GIVE THE REFRIG SOME TIME TO RESTART, OR SHOULD
THE REFRIG RESTART IMMEDIATELY WHEN TURNING THE DEFROST
TIMER CONTROL?


2) When I move the cold control from OFF to ON a few times the refrig
restarts but still will stop cooling and not restart.

3) I wiggled the wiring harnesses to see if a possible loose connection
might start or stop the refrig from cooling. Wiggling harnesss has NO
EFFECT.

4) HERE IS THE INTERESTING PART:
When I take the inside covers off the evaporator coil and evaporator
fan ( and leave the covers off ). The refrig restarts and works
properly.

Possible bad defrost thermostat?? How would I test the defrost
thermostat at the time refrig stops cooling?

Anything else you think might be causing my no restart symptom?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Gary

[Gene]

Originally Posted by gary-b

...2) When I move the cold control from OFF to ON a few times the refrig
restarts but still will stop cooling and not restart...

Gary.

Most likely the problem is a bad cold control.

- The cold control Part number: AP3156221

Here are the breakdown diagrams and Replacement parts for General Electric TFX25JPCGWW Refrigerator | AppliancePartsPros.com

Gene.

[gary-b]

Please click one of the Quick Reply icons in the posts above to activate Quick Reply.

[gary-b]

Gene,

Thanks for the response. I will order a cold control.

Just curious though. Why does taking off the inside evaporator cover let
the refrig run normally?

Thanks,
Gary

[Gene]

Gary,

I do not see how it can be connected. Probably just a coincidence.

Gene.

[gary-b]

O.K.

Thanks Gene,
Gary

[richappy]

I would first tap on the control to see if is intermittent, that would confirm it is bad. You also could short the wires to it temporarily to confirm.

[gary-b]

richappy,

Thanks for you advice. I will tap the cold control and short wires to confirm.

I haven't removed the cold control yet; which wires get "shorted"? Are there only two wires on the cold control?

Also, I can't find a wiring diagram on this refrig. Do you know where it might be?

thanks,
Gary

[richappy]

Service data is either behind the control panel, or in back of the front kick panel. There are two wires to the control, just pull them off and short together to test fridg.

[gary-b]

richappy,

I'll short the wires and let you know what happens.


Thanks,
Gary