Brand: GE
Model Number: GSS25GSHGCSS
Main Symptom: works well for 2 days then warms up
What happens & when:
Error Code (if any):
Parts or tests already tried:
Photos / video link:
I have an eight year old GE side by side refrigerator model number GSS25GSHGCSS which has failed. If unplugged and restarted it works well for 2 days, even making ice then both compartments get back to room temperature.
I have tried all the usual suspects, even replaced the defrost heater, defrost thermostat, defrost thermistor and the freezer side door seal as the old one had a worn spot that make have been leaking air. I tested both old and new heaters with direct 120VAC and they heat up fine. The evaporator coils did get heavy frost while the unit was working.
I cleaned out the condenser coil compartment and both condenser and evaporator fans seem to be working fine. I did the compressor windings ohm test, checked start capacitor (both fine and compressor is not shorted to ground) and overload protector has continuity.
I had though of an intermittent failure of the start relay (it’s a combo type) but when the fridge is plugged in the compressor starts and hums along just fine and I don’t know how to test the combo type relay.
At this point I am thinking it’s a failure on the control board but do not know how to diagnose it. I inspected its reverse side and all seems ok , no bulging capacitors either. Ohms at the J1 plug all look good, about 4K each.
Using a YouTube video I checked the voltages at the J2 plug feeding the fans and it is getting supply 13.7 VDC between black pin 3 and red pin 8 which is within the required 12 to 14 VDC. When the fridge is running, the voltage delivered to the
evaporator fan is 10.3 VDC and that to the condenser fan is 11.8 VDC which are a bit lower than the required 12 to 14 VDC.
Removing the J2 plug from the board and testing the plug pins (fridge unplugged) between Black (pin 3) and red (pin 8) there is only 800 ohms when it should be between 1.5K and 3K ohms according to one YouTube technician.
Alas it hath defeated me.
All is assistance is greatly appreciated!!