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repair_addict  
#1 Posted : Sunday, February 13, 2011 7:19:52 AM(UTC)
repair_addict

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I have a Maytag ABB222ZDEB freezer-on-bottom fridge and I just experienced what i can now see is a pretty common problem of freezer cold and fridge too warm. I determined that this was caused by the return vents from the fridge compartment being blocked by snow. I cleared the vents and the fridge is cooling again. However when I removed the back panel of the freezer I noticed quite a lot of ice building up. So, obviously the defrost cycle is either too short or not occurring at all. Problem is I can't figure out how to tell the fridge to go into "defrost" mode so I can check if the heater is coming on. There is no defrost timer that I can find in this fridge, there is only the main control panel above the lights in the fridge compartment, and a "Thermistor kit", "Thermostat kit", and of course the heater itself. So how can I tell this fridge to go into defrost mode so I can check the heater?
Thanks!
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cammyj1967  
#2 Posted : Sunday, February 13, 2011 7:33:33 AM(UTC)
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there is a test point on the control board in the Fresh food section that you cross out. You can probably save yourself some time diagnosing your defrost problem by checking to see if your defrost terminator is closed if surrounded in ice (common issue) If it is open (no continuity) and it has ice all around it. Then you will need to replace it. You can also ohm out your heater. Check these with the power to the unit off. If both these components check good it will likely be a board replacement.
repair_addict  
#3 Posted : Sunday, February 13, 2011 7:56:51 AM(UTC)
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The defrost terminator (i think that was it, little black round thing clipped onto the copper cooling coil at the back) was definitely surrounded in ice but it's clear now that I took a hair drier to the whole area. Maybe I'll see if that just works now. Thanks!
denman  
#4 Posted : Sunday, February 13, 2011 8:42:12 AM(UTC)
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Replacement parts for AMANA ABB222ZDEB REF - BOTTOM MOUNTS | AppliancePartsPros.com

See the attachment for the tech sheet. It gives the procedure on forcing a defrost cycle.

Note: That the defrost thermostat must be frozen for the heating element to turn on.
File Attachment(s):
ABB222.pdf (300kb) downloaded 365 time(s).
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repair_addict  
#5 Posted : Saturday, April 16, 2011 5:38:45 AM(UTC)
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well everything was fine for about 2 months and then the fridge was warm again. I removed the back panel of the freezer and not surprisingly everything was covered with snow. Now that I have the service manual (thank you very much!) I was able to force a defrost cycle and that worked perfectly. So now I know that my heater element is working. Must be the timer then I suppose?
vcplusplus0622  
#6 Posted : Friday, August 22, 2014 11:08:06 AM(UTC)
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ABB2527DEB, In May of 2013, I had the same problems, frost all over the cooling coils in the lower freezer. Then I replaced the defrost timer. Worked for 3 months. Now, I am back to same problem of warm refrigerator, cold freezer + ice all over freezer coils. After doing all the tests in the spec sheet and they have are working as expected, I am at the end of the rope in terms of what to do next. I have higher expectations, then a refrigerator to warm up and require a 'force defrost' cycle every 3 months....
repair_addict  
#7 Posted : Friday, August 22, 2014 11:21:57 AM(UTC)
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Since my last post I have not had this problem anymore. I never replaced anything. Check to make sure nothing is blocking the vents at the bottom rear of the fridge like milk bags or anything. If those vents are blocked the fridge will not cool properly and you will have freezer frost.
denman  
#8 Posted : Saturday, August 23, 2014 8:03:09 AM(UTC)
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Another thing to check is the defrost thermostat.
If it is deformed/bulged replace it.
This can cause it to go intermittent.
Also check the connections to the heater and defrost thermostat.

I am assuming that when you force a defrost cycle it works.
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