side by side model with 50-60 degree temp in the Fridge and I haven’t measured the temp in the freezer yet but everything was frozen in there until I turned the defrost timer. I have read about a few items being the cause but I am not too sure and don’t want to start buying parts that aren’t needed
1)Defrost Timer - I located it and took a screwdriver and turned it until it clicked (following the click I heard a ticking noise like a timer and the I heard a sizzling noise inside the freezer after several minutes. I have repeated this 2 more times in 2 hrs and noticed that the items in the freezer seemed to start to defrost. Not sure if this part is bad since it does click or if it could be something else?
2)Temp Control? (fairly cheap)
3)Damper Assembly? (very expensive)
4)Defrost heater? (really cheap)
5)Suggestions?
Side note: I do hear a fan blowing air in the freezer and do feel air circulating. there is a panel covering the back inside of the freezer but doesn’t appear to have any noticeable ice buildup or anything blocking it. Even thru vents located in the bottom the coils don’t seem to be very frozen with any ice buildup (but I did turn the timer 3 times before that) Also, My condenser under the fridge was very dusty and I cleaned it off with long bush and then sucked the dust all up with a vacuum.
the fridge is now cooled to about 45 degrees since about 14 hrs ago since I did anything with it…if the condensor coils were causing the problem…should I try to wipe them off even better…I got about 80% of the dust off…other then taking a wet rag and actually cleaning them I am not sure how long it would take to get the fridge back to temp if that was the problem
I think we can eliminate the defrost timer and heater. As your evaporator coils where ice free and when you forced a defrost the heater did come on. The sizzling you heard was probably the water from defrost.
Measure the freezer temperature as all cooling originates here.
It should be between 0 and 5 degrees F.
If this temperature is good then odds are that the main thermostat is good.
The damper has it’s own thermostat which opens/closes the louvers to regulate the amount of cold air in the fresh food side. If you can see if the louvers are wide open.
Although the parts breakdown at Sears does not show it there is often a vent lower down on the side wall between the freezer and fresh food sides This allows the cold air to circulate. If you have one check that it is clear.
it’s been a day and the fridge has held the 38 degree temp…looks like the napkin was the culprit…can;t believe I didn’t see it…but the wife was the one who put a loose napkin in the fridge for some reason and I never knew it was there let alone it fell and covered a hole