[melinsd]

I have a Montgomery Ward, 19.3 cu ft freezer, model 49259.

It keeps the food frozen fine, per thermometer inside is ~8 degrees at setting 3. The problem is that it is on the ON cycle virtually all the time. It does cycle off, but cycles back on again very soon.

Recently I noticed that there was a great deal of ice inside, at the top (ceiling) of the freezer though not nearly so much elsewhere in the freezer. I defrosted it hoping that would clear up the frequent cycling, but it did not. I turned the temperature control down from setting 5 to setting 3 thinking it might cycle less frequently, but it didn't seem to change.

Is this a thermostat problem? (If so, is one available for this model?) Does it need coolant added? Any suggestions or tips on how to troubleshoot?

Thank you!