[leacan]

I've got a Kenmore Side By Side Refrigerator that completely stopped cooling. After researching we figured out the starter device was bad so I ordered the part and replaced it. We turned the refrigerator on and left it for a couple of days to see if it is going to work. It is working, but it doesn't keep the correct temperature in the freezer unless you turn the refrigerator dial (thermostat) all the way up. There does not appear to be any sort of defrosting problems going on. The fans are all working. We have cleaned the coils. I'm thinking it is probably the timer or the thermostat button? If it is low in freon I think I would see some problems on the evaporater or some sort of leaking? From what I have researched it doesn't sound like a compressor problem.

[leacan]

Still looking for help with refrigerator/freezer problem... We have had the thermostat turned all the way up on both the freezer and refrigerator side for 3 days and it is working just fine. Temperature in freezer is staying at 10 degrees, refrigerator staying at about 39 degrees, but this is only with it turned all the way up. So my question is... if we replace the thermostat will we be able to run it at it's regular temperature?... Anybody?

[Gene]

Hi,

Remove the rear panel in the freezer and check how the evaporator coils are covered with frost. If the coils are absolutely clean or covered just partially then there is a problem with the sealed system.

Gene.

[leacan]

The entire coil spread is lightly frosted... is that how it is supposed to be? Also last night we tested the thermostat with a multimeter, it was good. We tested the defrost timer and it was giving readings of infinity...so that may be our problem? Still working on it.. all advice greatly appreciated.

[Gene]

Originally Posted by leacan

...The entire coil spread is lightly frosted... is that how it is supposed to be?...

Yes, that's correct.

How did you set the temperature control knobs?

I don't think there is something wrong with the defrost system.

Gene.

[leacan]

I found some instructions on testing the defrost timer online with a multimeter... All 3 readings were 1 ohm... I am no professional by any means so now I am trying to figure out if it's bad or not. I followed the instructions by turning the screw to advance the timer into the next state and didn't get the readings the instructions said it should have...the only visible problem I can see is if you set the dial on the normal setting of 3 and leave the refrigerator running... later when you check the freezer it has defrosted the bottle of water I have in there using to test along with a couple of popcycles. .. Now it doesn't completely defrost them all the way.. they just get mushy and don't stay frozen solid... unless you turn the dial all the way up on the highest setting...it works and freezes fine on the highest setting with no problem.. but I want to fix whatever the problem is because I'm afraid it will go bad and I don't want to have spoiled food a second time around.. thanks so much for trying to help me.

[Gene]

Forget about the defrost system for now. If

...The entire coil spread is lightly frosted...

then it has nothing to do with defrost.

I'm trying to help you to diagnose the problem and that's why I need you to answer my questions. Once again,

...How did you set the temperature control knobs?...

Gene.

[leacan]

When we tested the temperature control we set the control to off and the multimeter showed 1. Then setting the control on the highest setting the multimeter read 0. I believe that is what it is supposed to show from what I have researched? Could it possibly be the defrost timer behind the panel in the freezer?

[Gene]

Set the ff temperature control on coldest (highest number) point and the fz temperature control on cold (smallest number) point. Wait about 24 hours and measure the temperatures in both compartments. Post the results.

Gene.

[leacan]

Last night I set the controls as you said...I just checked the temperature...freezer is 13 degrees and fridge is 34....