RE: Montgomery Wards, Freezer on top.
I am getting ready to give my old refrigerator to a single mom that just moved into town.
I noticed it was not cooling or freezing properly. I also noticed ice buildup on the floor of the freezer compartment. It is also on the evaporator - I can see it through the air vents.
It looks like I may have a defroster circuit problem, but I want to get all the ice off the evaporator quickly to see if that is the problem.
How do I get the floor out of the freezer compartment to get at the evaporator and fan? I figure it slides & clips, but I don’t want to break it trying to figure it out.
Thanks!
Dave
I can’t get your model number to pull up. But generally, start by locating the defrost control, under the control panel in the frig part. see if you can advance the timer until the unit shuts off, if after a full turn on the little knob (which normally requires a screw driver) the unit doesn’t turn off then the defrost timer is the problem.
If it does shut off listen for the sound of ice popping and maybe a sizzle sound. Remove the rear panel in the freezer. if you don’t hear that locate the defrost thermostat (bimetal) should be around the evaporator coils, it’s a little round part about the size of a quater and about an inch thick with 2 wires attached. Test that with an ohm meter for continuity while it’s really cold. If it has continuity then use a hair dryer to defrost the coils and inspect the heat element.
Let us know what you find.
Nat
Thanks for the reply. I can get it to shut off just fine. What I can’t do is melt the ice of the evaporator coils because I can’t figure out how to get at the coils.
Need to try to get it to shut down using the defrost timer, not the temp control. It’s a defrost problem, which means the timer, defrost thermostat or the defrost element has failed. There should be some screws on the rear wall of the freezer compartment.
Nat
Sorry, I misread your post. I didn’t find the timer control. What I did find, on the ceiling of the refrigerator part at the back was a disk about 3 inched in diameter. It looks like it should turn, but it doesn’t. I poped it off, and found it should turn and press on what feels like a micro switch. not sure what it does, but I’ll be able to tell more if I can ever get that dang freezer floor out!
Thanks!
Dave
No screws. shouldn’t the whole floor just slide forward? I can see a seam between it and the walls, I just can’t figure out how to get it out. I took the control panel loose to see if that was holding it, but it looks like it should just slide right over the control panel and out the front.
without being able to see the actual unit, i’m giving you the most common descriptions of how to access it. I’m still looking for a site to find your exact breakdown of the unit. So far this is as close as I’ve found
[SIZE=3]HMG-191360[/SIZE]
Nat
I got it out! It does just pull out, it was held by the ice.
Now I’m going to try to thaw it out.
Thanks!
Dave
Before you thaw it out, look for the defrost timer near the compressor. see if you can make it kick into defrost. and check the defrost thermostat which looks like it’s probably fairly flat with 2 wires.
Nat
The disk I was talking about turned out to be the freezer temp control which controls an air door between the freezer and the refrigerator. It is functioning fine. I never did find the timer.
Will do! I’ve got to go pick up my son from school, so it will be a couple of hours.
Thanks!
Dave
Look in the back by the compressor if it’s anything like the one I’m currently viewing.
nat
I found the timer! It is on the back near the compressor, but in a spot I wouldn’t have found it if you hadn’t told me where to look. I read the wiring diagram and read the voltage across the timer and it is fine. I then set up the meter so that I could see when the timer turned on. I then turned the timer until it manually fired. It is melting the ice, so that tells me the heating coils are working. So it is beginning to look like that timer…
I would have to say the timer. Is there a part numbr on it?
Nat
Out of curiosity, how long should the heating coil be on? I understand it is supposed to cycle about 4 times a day…
That’s ok, I’ll be on & off…just put an apple pie in the oven ;o)
Nat
Thanks for all the help! Seems to be working like a champ now, but I’ll show her where the timer is, and what to do if it freezes up again.
You have been a huge help!
Best to ya!
Dave
The defrost cycle doesn’t last very long about 30 minutes usually. If advancing the timer helped then that’s the part you are going to want to replace.
Nat
You’re welcome. If you need anything else let us know.
Nat