I have a side by side that seems to work and turn on, compressor is running but the fridge is about 45 degrees and the freezer doesn’t freeze water quickly (24hrs)…ice amker doesnt function. I’m looking for a little theory of operation or sequence of things that happen to get appliance cold. Thanks, Larry
The freezer is the heart of the system. It needs to be right at zero degrees (at most, about -5). Most ice makers won’t work at temperatures above 17. The airflow system in your refrigerator helps circulate the cold air from the freezer into and around the fresh food section.
In reality, what happens is that the refrigerant in the system absorbs the heat from the food in the freezer and fresh food compartment, and dissipates it to the outside of the unit.
If your unit isn’t getting cool enough (the fresh food section should be at about 38 to 40 degrees), check the freezer temperature. Look for signs of airflow blockage (such as a snowy ice build up, which indicates a defrost failure.
Check to be sure the lights are turning off when you close the doors. They can add enough heat to keep the unit above ideal operating temperatures.
Let us know what you find.
[quote=magician59;538155]The freezer is the heart of the system. It needs to be right at zero degrees (at most, about -5). Most ice makers won’t work at temperatures above 17. The airflow system in your refrigerator helps circulate the cold air from the freezer into and around the fresh food section.
In reality, what happens is that the refrigerant in the system absorbs the heat from the food in the freezer and fresh food compartment, and dissipates it to the outside of the unit.
If your unit isn’t getting cool enough (the fresh food section should be at about 38 to 40 degrees), check the freezer temperature. Look for signs of airflow blockage (such as a snowy ice build up, which indicates a defrost failure.
Check to be sure the lights are turning off when you close the doors. They can add enough heat to keep the unit above ideal operating temperatures.
Let us know what you find.[/quote]
I certainly appreciate the quick response and overview. The lights certainly go out when the door closes, the temp seems to be right around 0 degrees, very little air flow (volume) at the bottom of the freezer…there is no food in the fridge or freezer but I did have a freezer pak that was frozen and it thawed out and has not refroze. It has been on for over 3 days and the ice maker doesn’t work either…
I should state that this was given to me, looks brand new and was freezing food in an empty office space for over 4 years and I would think that I could hear and/or feel some air flow?
I’m fixing to check the water valve since I dont have any water coming out of the tube to the ice maker.
The freezer was about zero degrees last night but I didnt feel any air flow so I read another similar post and removed the back plate and exposed the coils were iced up and the fan was not operating. I dont have any info on a wiring diagram or service manual to be able to see what voltages need to be present to have proper air flow. any help?