[Momto8]

I have a Maytag MSD2351HEB. It will be 2 years old in August. I read the post about a faulty defrost system, but then I read other posts about having an adaptive defrost control...so now I'm confused. The freezer still seems cold enough, but the fridge is not. There is frost on the back wall of the freezer. What and how do I check this??? Please help...(and speak in layman's terms, please). I've got 8 kids and 6 gallons of milk depending on me...lol

Brandy

[woodchuckie]

Originally Posted by Momto8

I have a Maytag MSD2351HEB. It will be 2 years old in August. I read the post about a faulty defrost system, but then I read other posts about having an adaptive defrost control...so now I'm confused. The freezer still seems cold enough, but the fridge is not. There is frost on the back wall of the freezer. What and how do I check this??? Please help...(and speak in layman's terms, please). I've got 8 kids and 6 gallons of milk depending on me...lol

Brandy

To save your milk, first take the back cover in the freezer off and melt the ice with a hair dryer. That will give you a few days to find your problem and fix it.

Check the defrost heater and defrost thermostat first. Your user manual or the tech manual behind the kick panel at the floor on the front may tell how to test these parts, also See how and where here. Refrigerator Repair Guide: How To Fix a Refrigerator - ACME HOW TO.com

If those parts are ok you problem is the adaptive defrost control. Part 12 on the diagram of your controls here. Replacement parts for MAYTAG MSD2351HEB | AppliancePartsPros.com

[Momto8]

I'm not following where the defrost thermostat and defrost heater are located....I know where the adaptive defrost control is. It is in the control panel on the refrigerator side...but where are the other 2?

[woodchuckie]

Remove the back inside of the freezer. You'll see the iced up coils. The thermostat is clamped to the coils. The heater is under or woven thru the coils.

Part 3 and 7 on diagram 6. Replacement parts for MAYTAG MSD2351HEB | AppliancePartsPros.com

[Momto8]

I've defrosted the coils w/ a hair dryer. I unclamped the thermostat but do not see a way to test it with a continuity tester..? I tested the heater with a continuity tester and got nothing. My husband also tested the capacitator on the compressor with the continuity tester and nothing on it either. Should the capacitator show anything on the continuity tester? And is there anyway to test the thermostat w/o cutting the wires. The wires are harnessed in with a bunch of other wires and go into the back of the freezer where I can't see them.

[woodchuckie]

I don't know of a way if the manual doesn't tell. I would turn the power off and cut the wires. you can twist them back together with a connector.

You shouldn't be messing with the capacitor. It's involved with the compressor.

If you didn't get anything on the heater then it's bad.

[Momto8]

I replaced the defrost heater a little over a month ago and it has been working great since then....that is, until yesterday. I noticed the fridge wasn't quite as cold as it had been. I checked inside the back of the freezer and yep...frosting over again...I thawed it all w/ a hair dryer...but it is steadily frosting back over....What next?

[woodchuckie]

The defrost system consists of the three parts discussed in earlier in this thread. One could have gone bad again or the adaptive defrost control could be acting up and not working all the time.

[MBZ]

I had the same problem with my maytag, had to replace the auto defrost unit , a little printed circut board. All working fine since replacment.

[msanchuk]

anyone know how to tell me what to do to initiate the adaptive defrost without waiting for the time to elapse?