[Curlymmx]

I have a Frigidaire FFU14F5HWG upright freezer that isn't freezing. I noticed the ice cream was soft and some of the other items were starting to thaw. I took off the inner panel and looked at the coils. I didnt see any frost. I can hear the compressor come on and the fan running is blowing very cold air. I put in a tray of water and left it for over 3 hours, and it didnt freeze. It got very cold but didnt freeze at all. Not even a few ice crystals.
If you have any advice, I would sure appreciate it. thanks

[denman]

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Unfortunately this does not sound good.
I am assuming that the compressor runs all the time except when the unit goes into a defrost cycle. Looks like defrost is 30 minutes every 12 hours of compressor run time.
Here is the tech sheet on this unit.
http://manuals.frigidaire.com/prodin.../297246001.pdf

Check that the compressor is running. You can hear it but you should also be able to feel it vibrating and it should be warm.

When you checked the coils had the compressor run continuously for at least a couple hours. If you check it shortly after a defrost cycle then you could come to the wrong conclusion as there will be little or no frost.

You are getting cold air so there should be frost on the evaporator coils.
I would recheck it.
If there is just frost in one area usually where the freon enters the coils then you have a sealed system problem (often low freon).

A sealed system problem will be an expensive repair as you need a pro , also there is no guarantee that they can fix it long term. Often it makes more sense to put those dollars towards a new unit.

[Curlymmx]

Okay, I plugged it back in and let it run for almost 2 hours. I felt behind it and I could feel the compressor vibrating. I t was warm; in fact, it was HOT. I couldn't touch it for more than like 3 or 4 seconds. I took the panel off inside and there was some frost on the coils. Mostly on the top coils all the way across, and just starting to form towards the bottom. It seems quite cold inside, but quite cold enough to freeze stuff.
I have left it plugged in and running as I await further advice. Should I continue to let it run and keep checking? Should I try freezing water again?
I'm a computer tech by trade, so if it doesn't operate in billionths of a second, I don't know to fix it. Again, any advice is helpful.
Thanks

[denman]

It sounds like it is a sealed system problem.

The compressor is running but cannot drop the temperature enough so it runs forever causing the compressor to get very hot.

Would not hurt to put some water in it or a thermometer to see if it is getting cold enough but I think you will find that is is not.

I would check the warranty on the unit, often the sealed system has a longer warranty than the rest of the unit.

[Curlymmx]

Here is an update. I left the freezer running like I said I would. About an hour or so later, I was in the kitchen when I noticed the HI Temp light was no longer on. I opened the door and felt inside and it seemed extremely cold. I put a tray of water in it and it froze solid in a few hours. I left it running for a while and it still seems cold enough to freeze food. The light never came back on.
Should I assume it's fixed? Is there something that could have been fixed by moving the unit out to look behind it...or by leaving in unplugged all night? When we emptied it out, my aunt cleaned out the whole thing with water and a rag. Could the door seal have been dirty and allowing air to escape?
We put a few things back into it, but I am apprehensive to call it fixed.

[denman]

Should I assume it's fixed? Is there something that could have been fixed by moving the unit out to look behind it...or by leaving in unplugged all night? Could the door seal have been dirty and allowing air to escape?
We put a few things back into it, but I am apprehensive to call it fixed.
I would not assume it is fixed.
Unplugging it overnight will let the compressor cool down, it will then run more efficiently till it heats up again.
I would check it regularly over the next little while.
Yes it could have been the door not sealing correctly.
You can check the door by getting a 2 inch wide piece of paper. Put it between the frame and the seal and then pull it out to see how good the seal is. Work your around the door. Also check that the hinge side of the seal does not grab onto the frame and twist over. A light coating of white lithium grease or vaseline usually fixes this.

I would check the freezer temperature it should be 0 to 5 degrees F.
Also that the compressor cycles on/off. If it is on all the time or nearly all the time then the compressor is struggling to maintain the temperature.

[Curlymmx]

Okay, it's been a couple days and it's still keeping everything frozen. I tried the paper around the seal and it's sealing well. The compressor cycles on and off like it should. I am gonna call this fixed. Thank you so much for your help. If you ever have computer problems, dont hesitate to ask for help.
Thanks again.

[denman]

You are welcome

I will keep my fingers crossed that it will keep on chugging along.

Have a good one

denman