[theguy38301]

Just wanted a second opinion, and this site seems to be a more knowledgeable crowd, figured I would try and post.

I have been doing appliance repair for 2 years now, started out in a fast paced used appliance store, doing 6-8 service calls a day. Finally I just went into doing it part time, on my own.

The question I have is would the cooling fan (in the freezer on an "over/under") not running cause the refrig part of the unit to run warm? I can see the point of why the non-working fan would cause it, just wanted to get a second opinion.

Also, can anyone explain to me the correlation between the defrost timer and terminator and the same problem? I recently had a service call for my landlord where this seems to be the fix. Would the timer just make the frig run constantly, or is there another function of it (sans the actual defrost timing) like one that connects a circuit to the heater when it goes into defrost?

Thanks for all your help!!!

[denman]

The question I have is would the cooling fan (in the freezer on an "over/under") not running cause the refrig part of the unit to run warm?
Yes it would. It is required to pull air through the evaporator coils to cool it efficiently. Also it circulates the cold air into/through the fresh food section.

Also, can anyone explain to me the correlation between the defrost timer and terminator and the same problem?
Not sure what you mean by "terminator"

Would the timer just make the frig run constantly, or is there another function of it (sans the actual defrost timing) like one that connects a circuit to the heater when it goes into defrost?
The timer controls the defrost cycle frequency.
Found he following confusing "like one that connects a circuit to the heater when it goes into defrost?" because that is what a defrost timer does. It shuts off the compressor and the fans and turns on the defrost heater.
The timer cannot make the fridge run constantly. The compressor is controlled by the thermostat.

For instance, if you have a defrost problem the evaporator coils frost/ice up to the point where the evaporator/freezer fan cannot pull air through them. The temperatures in the unit rise, the thermostat senses this and turns the compressor on. But due to the inefficient cooling the unit cannot get down to the compressor's set point so the unit runs continuously.

[theguy38301]

thanks.

as far as terminator, i meant the defrost termination thermostat (about the size of a quarter or nickel, bout 1/2-3/4 inch thick, 2 wires coming out of it).

now i am on to my next project, someone gave me a 220v window unit that I desperately need for my apt. gonna try and fix that.

[denman]

FYI: the defrost thermostat (terminator) opens just above freezing.
The defrost timer has a set time for defrost (usually around 30 minutes) but lets say that all the frost is off the evaporator coils after 15 minutes. Then the defrost thermostat will open shutting off the heater for the rest of the defrost cycle.

This prevents excessive heat in the freezer that would melt the food.