I need help to troubleshoot a freezer problem: I have a 9 year old Whirpool Commercial upright freezer (Model # EV201NXMQ03) that will no longer blow cold air. The compressor runs all the time, the orange indicator light on the lower right front of the freezer stays on as well, the fan inside runs all the time as well but it won't blow cold air (only slightly cool causing everything inside to defrost).

I tried changing the thermostat settings to the coldest setting but nothing changed at all. In addition, I emptied the freezer and removed the inside cover to access the coils and fan assembly (fan appears to run all the time) and noticed some ice formations at the top right corner of the coils where I believe the freon initially enters, but the remainder of the tubes inside the coils are warm and do NOt get cold at all.

I unplugged it for several days and tried again but again only very slightly cool air with the inside coils adjacent to the fan not getting cold (only see ice forming at the right top corner of the coils where the freon initially enters).

I also noticed there is a glass tube at the bottom of the inside coil unit that has a spring inside it and it is connected to a black wire on each end (is this a defrost heater??). Anyway, I initially thoiught it may have something to do with my problem but I'm not sure; it DOES NOT heat up or glow like an incadescent light bulb (not sure if it's suppose to?). Any help is appreciated as I really do not want to buy another freezer as nine years isn't really that long!

[COLOR="Blue"]again only very slightly cool air with the inside coils adjacent to the fan not getting cold (only see ice forming at the right top corner of the coils where the freon initially enters).[/COLOR]
Sounds like you have a sealed system problem re: low on freon etc.
This will be an expensive repair and usually it makes more sense to put the dollars towards a new unit.
Since the diagnosis may result in scrapping the unit double check that the compressor is on all the time other than when in a defrost cycle. In defrost the compressor and fans shut off.
You can usually hear the compressor running but also should be able to feel it vibrating.

Below is a good link, check out the 3 example pictrures about half way down the page.
http://www.applianceaid.com/ref...ator-not-cold-enough.php

[COLOR="Blue"]
I also noticed there is a glass tube at the bottom of the inside coil unit that has a spring inside it and it is connected to a black wire on each end (is this a defrost heater??).[/COLOR]
Yes it is the defrost heater.
It only comes one once every 12 hours or so when the defrost timer goes into a defrost cycle.

Is 9 years about the norm now as this freezer was initially purchased "new"?
Unfortunately appliance lifetimes are dropping.
9 years does seem short for a freezer but a lot depends on how often you go into it.

I do not like giving recommendations as I would probably jinx it.

Between Frigidaire and Maytag/Whirlpool I would go with the Maytag.

Try to go simple.
The more bells and whistles you get is just the more stuff to break.
I am also not a big fan of electronic temperature control.
Analogue thermostats do a decent job of regulating the temperature and are more likely to be available in the future.
I even prefer a defrost timer over a Adaptive Defrost Control board but it is getting hard to find units with timers.

Denman,
The particular Maytag Freezer I'm looking at buying is Model # MQF 2056TEW. I'm curious to know if it has the analog temp control (or electronic)?
In addition, do you know if it has the defost timer or does it have the adaptive defrost control board?

Thanks again Denman for all of your help!!

:) You guys are truly "Outstanding" and I will continue to use Applinacepartspros.com for all of my appliance parts needs. I'll also share your site with all of my friends.