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Model GRFS2853AF1 Frigidaire No auto defrost
The freezer evaporator not defrosting could be caused by a failed defrost heater, evaporator sensor, or even a main control. If you press and hold the freezer up and down buttons for 10 seconds, the refrigerator should enter a diagnostic mode. This is also done to exit diagnostic mode. The fresh food down button can be pressed until the display shows the number 2. This should turn the defrost heater circuit on. After a minute, the heater should be hot enough to hear water hit it as the ice melts. Are you able to hear water sizzle as it hits the defrost heater?
I can get the diagnostic mode to come up on the control panel and when I press the fridge plus button I can go through a bunch of numbers and they all say off. I know the issue has to be with the defrost. When I take it apart and hair dry the condenser, it will work for 3 or 4 days.
The defrost heater can be tested for resistance after unplugging the appliance power cord to verify if it has failed. The defrost heater should measure around 35-39 Ohms of resistance unless it has failed. Here is a link to the defrost heater used with this model. 5304531011 Heater | Genuine Frigidaire OEM In Stock
Hello again:
I just replaced the heater today. So far I have replaced the main board, the door controls and now the heater. Not sure if it was the problem. When I place the fridge in diagnostic mode and hit the plus button on the fridge side, each number comes up as off and I don’t see how to turn them on. Also when in regular mode I was told to press both plus and minus on the fridge side to force the defrost mode, but the only think it does is go to the celcious temp. The fridge cools good and the only problem I have is that it willl not defrost.
If you press the freezer up and down buttons at the same time for 10 seconds and enter into the diagnostic mode, press the fresh food up button only until the number 2 shows up. Once it does, press the Cube button. It should turn the defrost heater on, and the display should show On. After a minute or two, the defrost heater should start to sizzle from melted ice hitting the heater. Does this happen or does the heater not melt any of the ice on the evaporator? Attached is the tech sheet for this model.
GRFC2353AF0 A20403202.pdf (678.4 KB)
While I have the manual defrost turned to on from the diagnostics, do I need to turn it off?
While it does have an automatic cut off, pressing the cube button to deactivate the forced defrost and then pressing the Freezer up and down buttons can make the diagnostic mode stop sooner than the 10 minute automatic shut off (Diagnostic mode deactivates after 10 minutes of no activity with the user interface).