I have a question that it looks like you good people might be able to help me with. My wife and I went to the hospital on Monday morning because she was in labor. When we returned today (with a beautiful baby girl), the refrigerator & freezer were way too warm. The ice was even thawed in the ice cube trays in the freezer. So on to my questions.

The freezer and fridge lights worked fine but I could not hear it running. I unplugged it, moved it out from the wall, and cleaned the coils and everything but there wasn't really much dust at all. I moved it back into place and plugged it back in and was in the process of moving the salvageable non-perishable items from the freezer to our chest freezer when it all of a sudden started running. Through reading I understand that there is a "defrost timer" that will last for approx 20 minutes depending on make/model of fridge. So did I "reset" something by leaving it unplugged for a bit and is that why it started back up?

What would I replace to keep this from happening again or what can I test to see if it is bad? I have never worked on a fridge but I do repair TV's and other electronics so I am comfortable poking around, I just don't know where to start.

It is currently working on getting back to the normal temp in the fridge and freezer and seems to be running perfect. Right now the fridge is at 52 degrees (the air blowing into it is about 30 degrees) and the freezer is at 12 degrees. I have a 2 terminal thermocouple so I don't have to open the doors to take the temps. It has been running non stop for about 20 minutes.

Finally what temps should the freezer and fridge run at when they are working properly?

Thanks for any help!

So when I got up today it was not running again. Both the freezer and fridge temp were way up. I noticed a clicking sound coming from about 3 inches behind the refrigerator temp adjustment knob. From looking at the break down diagram for my model it looks like it is the defrost timer. I used a screw driver to turn it just a hair and the fridge started right up.

Should I replace this timer being the fridge started when I turned the timer? Also, is there any damage that can be done to my unit if I turn that to keep it running while I get the part, like it won't defrost as much?

If anyone can help that would be great so I don't waste money on something I don't need.

Thanks!!!!

edit: Thanks denman for the reply! I followed the link that you suggested and used it to troubleshoot my defrost timer. I turned it until it went into defrost and it came back on about 20 minutes later. I am a little confused because I thought the defrost timer might be bad but it came back on after defrost. I am still thinking it is the defrost timer being I had to turn it to get the fridge to start this morning (and it was way too cold to just be in defrost this morning).