GE Profile cooling issue

Refrigerator & Freezer Repair
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1

Hello,

I have a PSCS5RGXCFSSGZ403212 GE Profile refrigerator that I picked up on craiglist from some guy that said it was working fine, it’s not and I’m trying to get it working again.

Initially upon plugging it in, it would read high values for both the freezer and refrigerator sides and not kick off the sealed system cooling.

I thought this might have to do with a bad inverter module, so I ordered one, the module control power does read slightly high (about 10.5vdc) but from what I can find, that’s within range. I also checked the thermistors and they appear to be reading correctly.

After unplugging the original inverter module and installing the new one, the unit started to cool correctly, then after some time the compressor shut off and seemingly didn’t kick back on again. All while the temperature readings were still way off from measured readings.

At this point I entered diagnostics mode and ran the various tests, everything passed (at least none failed).

I then forced it into 100% duty cycle on the sealed system and at this point both the freezer and refrigerator side began cooling down (this was true for both the old inverter and new inverter)

After an hour the 100% cycle ended and the temperature on the front panel display still read way high, though the measured temperatures indicated that the freezer was below 0F and the refrigerator was 33F (which is what I would expect) so it seems the sealed system is working as things are cooling..

I then preceded to reset the refrigerator via the diagnostics mode option and suddenly the temperatures started reading mostly correct so I left the unit alone and allowed it to run normally.

Fast forward to a few hours later the the freezer is warming up and so is the refrigerator.

So I put the thing back into diagnostics mode and kick off the 100% duty cycle again, this time I pulled the cover off the evaporator coil on the refrigerator side and to my surprise the unit drops out of diagnostics mode by itself and re-enters regular service mode.

Also, I just noticed that the middle shelf lights are randomly turning on and off by themselves.

I have a new control board on the way to try next, but I’m wondering if anyone has any other ideas?

Thanks!

2

Okay so new board is here and I installed it yesterday. After a few hours the refrigerator and freezer cooled down to the correct temps, however, I check it this morning and it’s back to warm again. Does anyone have any ideas what’s going on here?

3

Replaced the board again, reinstalled the old one, and the system is cooling down again. I expect it will hit the target temperatures and then warm back up again. Does anyone have any ideas?

4

So another update. Yesterday I pulled the thermistors out of the housings in the freezer and fridge and to my surprise, leaving them dangling in the breeze, the fridge is now cooling and remaining cool.

Any ideas?

5

So I left the refrigerator set to optimal temperatures last night, it was holding them there no problem, I get up this morning and check, and everything has warmed up again.

At this point I’m at a loss as to what the problem could be, does anyone have any suggestions?

6

So for a second time I went through and checked all of the therminstors, this time I not only used freezing water, but also hot water, and this time around, the ff thermistor on the refrigerator coil was reading 29KΩ at 34 degrees F, and 20KΩ at 98 degrees F.

I’ve got a new one coming and will try that next to see if maybe the refrigerator is unable to calculate relative temperature between the ambient therminstor and the ff terministor and eventually just gives up.