Frigidaire - Everything running with continuity, still not cooling

Refrigerator & Freezer Repair
1

My wife was cleaning our Frigidaire side-by-side last week and left the doors open long enough for the warning beeps to begin. After she closed the doors, however, the beeping continued. I unplugged the unit for about 10 minutes and then plugged it back in. The beeping had stopped. Unfortunately, so had the cooling.

We noticed that items in the freezer were getting mushy and things in the refrigerator were just not cold enough. So we took everything out, put it in coolers, and I began troubleshooting.

First - I pulled out the refrigerator and took off the back panel. I vacuumed and cleaned underneath and inside around the compressor and coils. It wasn’t too dirty, but I figured it was worth a try.

Second - I checked the compressor fan…it was running.

Third - I checked the compressor…it was running.

Fourth - I checked the coils…they were warm.

Fifth - I checked the vents at the top of the refrigerator compartment and the bottom of the freezer compartment…there was sufficient airflow.

Sixth - I took the panels from the back of the freezer compartment and checked the recirculating fan…it was running.

Seventh - I checked the defrost heater…it had continuity.

Eighth - I checked the thermostat…it had continuity.

Ninth - I looked at the condenser coils and here is the issue! The top quarter of them is frosted over, but the bottom three-quarters is not. There is not an even amount of frosting on the coils.

But now I’m at the end of my abilities. I don’t know what to do next. I simply replaced the panels in the freezer and left it plugged in and running. The freezer is set at 0 but running at 55. The refrigerator is set at 35 but running at 56.

This unit was purchased in January 2011, and the sticker says, “Manufactured: 11-10” (I think that is November 2010). Today is October 31, 2014. It is LESS than four years old.

Now what?

2

Unfortunately I have bad news and bad news.

Sounds like a sealed system problem.
This will be an expensive repair as you need a pro.
Also there is no guarantee that it can be fixed or how long the fix will last.
Often it makes more sense to put the dollars towards a new unit.

I am assuming that the compressor had run for about an hour or more before you did the evaporator inspection. If you do this during or just after a defrost cycle then you could end up with a bad diagnosis.

Below is a link to info on your problem. take a look at the example pictures about half way down.
http://www.applianceaid.com/refrigerator-not-cold-enough.php

May be worth checking the warranty on the unit.
Some units have a longer sealed system warranty.

3

Does not sound good.

Yes, the compressor had been running for quite some time before looking at the evap coils. And they haven’t changed since either.

I also just pulled out the unit again to make sure and, yes, the compressor is running and warm. It seems to me that, after troubleshooting everything else, it is low on refrigerant.

If there is a leak in the system:

  • What causes that to happen in a fairly new unit?
  • Is this any different than when my home’s central air unit or vehicle’s air conditioning system needs more refrigerant?
  • Can I just add more refrigerant (like in my car) or does a licensed repairman need to do it (like in my central air unit)?
4

[COLOR=“Blue”]If there is a leak in the system:

  • What causes that to happen in a fairly new unit?[/COLOR]
    Bad luck and manufacturers doing things on the cheap.
    Used to be the sealed systems had a longer warranty but those days are gone for most units. My feeling is also that when they went to a one year warranty more units started having sealed system problems sooner.

[COLOR=“Blue”]* Is this any different than when my home’s central air unit or vehicle’s air conditioning system needs more refrigerant?[/COLOR]
Not really they all work basically the same.
[COLOR=“Blue”]

  • Can I just add more refrigerant (like in my car) or does a licensed [/COLOR]repairman need to do it (like in my central air unit)?
    No as it is not like your car which has fittings/valves to add refrigerant. A refrigerator does not have these to you cannot just buy a can/kit of freon and add it.
    I do not know what your local laws/regulations are as they can vary.
    Your AC may require a tech because of the type of freon it uses.
    Please see the following
    Homeowners Frequently Asked Questions | Ozone Layer Protection - Regulatory Programs | US EPA

You can get info on how to do it on YouTube etc. but is is hit and miss.
Below is a link to one such video. There are many more.
Refrigerator Cooling Failure - YouTube

You problem seems different as it showed up quickly so you probably have a decent sized leak.
My personal opinion is that there is no use just adding freon unless you can find and repair the leak but that is just me.