I realize my temps may well be within "standard" range, but I primarily use this unit to keep my beer and I like it COLD. I have a Magic Chef CTB1722ARA and the best I can get is in the area of 39 to 40 in the fresh food compartment and I would like to get it down around 32 to 34. All seems to be operating properly. Is there any way I can lower the fresh food temp, even if raises the freezer above "normal" (which is in the -5 to +5 range, depending on where I set it). Is there some way to "block" some of the air into the freezer so that more goes into the fresh? I have the fresh set at max (7). Do either of the controls (freezer or fresh) affect the thermostat, or is it strictly a pre-set thermostat? Which air temp affects it -- freezer or fresh?
Thanks -- this is a great site!!
jdr37

Trying to figure out which thing is bad. I am shaky with interpreting the results of multimeter tests.

It's a GE side by side tfx22qpda

We figured the kids left the door ajar one day. So we took a hair dryer to them, got the ice off, and started it back up. Made it a few weeks, then the same thing happened. We caught it earlier this time, so defrosting the coils was not as time-consuming. Once we finished getting the frost off this time, we plugged it back in but did not reload it and left the coil panel off over night. This morning when I opened the freezer it is already frosting up again!!!
Now I wonder if we have more of a problem than just kids and doors not fully closed.

I got out the multimeter and here is what I found.

Defrost Timer: I turned it until it clicked, and the fan went off. I then waited. Maybe 30 minutes later when I checked the fridge, it was blowing again. I unplugged the fridge and pulled the defrost timer out. I tested spade plugs in this order from left to right as they are listed on the part:
1 4 3 2.

I touched 1,3 and got infinity.
I touched 4,3 and got infinity.
I touched 3,2 and got a reading of about 16.

Then I turned the switch again until it clicked again, and tested in the same order.
1,3 = infinity
4,3 = about 16
3,2 = infinity

I am not sure what this means! Is the switch good or bad?

So to take it further, I removed the defrost heater. I pulled it's plugs out, placed a tester on each terminal and got infinity.

Am I right that this means the heater is definitely toast? What about the timer? Should I order both, or should the fact that the timer did get things to run and stop running means that it is operating ok?

Thanks
Chuck

Hi Max,

The right part number for the evaporator fan motor for your fridge is 2183828 which is APP item number AP2985747

Gene.

Hi Chuck,

Most likely the problem is a bad defrost heater. I do not think there is something wrong with the timer.

- The part number for the defrost heater assembly is AP2071523

Gene.

If I bypass defrost thermo should it work