We purchased this unit as part of a remodel job in 2002. Yesterday I noticed that the refrigerator was much warmer than normal. Tried the obvious - turning the temp down, but to no avail. Note that the freezer is working just fine. Read some other troubleshooting tips trying to get an answer, but didn’t see what I needed.
A couple of times over the past week I heard a prolonged crackling sound located inside the fridge side near the top right of the unit. I flipped the circuit breaker to shut off the power, then after about 15 sec, turned it back on. The crackling stopped. I did this a couple of times over the week and each time this temporarily stopped the noise… but it kept coming back.
I’ve always noticed cold vapor exiting the ‘tunnel’ near the top left of the fridge side. This is no longer happening.
Today, I removed the back (bottom) panel from the unit to observe the condensor and fan and saw nothing out of the ordinary - no ice on any part.
Can you recommend a course of action on this one?
[quote=JennAir2008;42291]We purchased this unit as part of a remodel job in 2002. Yesterday I noticed that the refrigerator was much warmer than normal. Tried the obvious - turning the temp down, but to no avail. Note that the freezer is working just fine. Read some other troubleshooting tips trying to get an answer, but didn’t see what I needed.
A couple of times over the past week I heard a prolonged crackling sound located inside the fridge side near the top right of the unit. I flipped the circuit breaker to shut off the power, then after about 15 sec, turned it back on. The crackling stopped. I did this a couple of times over the week and each time this temporarily stopped the noise… but it kept coming back.
I’ve always noticed cold vapor exiting the ‘tunnel’ near the top left of the fridge side. This is no longer happening.
Today, I removed the back (bottom) panel from the unit to observe the condenser and fan and saw nothing out of the ordinary - no ice on any part.
Can you recommend a course of action on this one?[/quote] Condenser is where the heat is rejected, therefore it would have no ice. “Crackling Sound” indicates the defrost heater.
The tunnel is where the cold air enters the refrigerator section, not feeling any could indicate a defrost problem although you here crackling. Could be timer prematurely taking heater out before adequate defrost. http://www.applianceaid.com/adaptive_defrost.html
Icehouse, thanks for your quick reply.
The crackling sound was not like the sound of ice cracking, but rather like an electical component shorting out, but did NOT smell anything like hot wires or burning insulation. The crackling would stop immediately when I shut off the power to the refrigerator.
Would this still lead you toward the defrost option?
Thanks!
Could you also tell me where (physically) in the refrigerator the adaptive defrost electrical box is housed? In the cooling chamber (inside at top) or in the back near the condensor somewhere? Also what’s the best way to get the protective cover off to reveal the controls under the lights, etc.?
On the back should be a panel with four screws. Sounds like may have a short.