Kenmore 18.3 cu. ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator w/Through-the-Door Water Dispenser Logo

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Posted on Dec 27, 2008
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Refreigerator not cooling and excessive ice build up

Could this possibly be a problem with the defrost timer? I completely
defrosted the freezer and cleened all the coils real good. There is no ice build on the coils behind the panel in the freezer.

  • 6 more comments 
  • david_f_alex Dec 27, 2008

    yes, the fan is running.

  • david_f_alex Dec 27, 2008

    Thanks alot. I'll test it when I get home and hopefully replace it on Monday. Sounds like the defrost timer could be the problem. I appreciate your help.

  • david_f_alex Dec 27, 2008

    Thanks alot. I'll test it when I get home and hopefully replace it on Monday. Sounds like the defrost timer could be the problem. I appreciate your help.

  • david_f_alex Dec 27, 2008

    Thanks alot. I'll test it when I get home and hopefully replace it on Monday. Sounds like the defrost timer could be the problem. I appreciate your help.

  • david_f_alex Dec 27, 2008

    Thanks alot. I'll test it when I get home and hopefully replace it on Monday. Sounds like the defrost timer could be the problem. I appreciate your help.

  • david_f_alex Dec 27, 2008

    Thanks alot. I'll test it when I get home and hopefully replace it on Monday. Sounds like the defrost timer could be the problem. I appreciate your help.

  • Anonymous Apr 12, 2009

    What is the problem with the timer - can they be opened up and properly fixed?

    I will go and look at my daughter's freezer later (Zanussi ZEBF249W). I did see the timer box and a boss on the side wher I presume the screw is. Is it worth trying to open it up? Is the heater reliable?

  • Ken Bledsoe May 11, 2010

    Is the fan running?

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Ken Bledsoe

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  • Expert 306 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 27, 2008
Ken Bledsoe
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Can you locate the defrost timer? It is usually located in the center right next to the t-stat looks like a plastic housing. There is a flat blade screw driver recessed area that advances the timer. It only turns one way so if it don't go one way it will go the other real easy. Advance till it clicks that is defrost mode. Now wait 30 min. and does it advance till it goes back into cooling? That is how you can test the timer to see if it is advancing. ken

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Related Questions:

1helpful
1answer

Ice, the size of a small fist accumulates behind the rear freezer panel area behind the ice maker and just above the fan. What could cause this ice build up where there are no coils?

There are a few possible reasons for the ice build-up in the area behind the ice maker and above the fan, even if there are no visible coils in that area. Here are some potential causes to consider:
  1. Blocked Drain: The defrost cycle of a refrigerator is designed to remove excess moisture from the freezer compartment, which typically drains out of the freezer through a small drain hole and into a collection pan located beneath the refrigerator. If the drain becomes blocked, the excess moisture can accumulate in the bottom of the freezer and eventually freeze, leading to the ice build-up you described. To check if this is the case, you can try locating the drain hole (usually near the back of the freezer, near the bottom) and clearing any debris or ice that may be obstructing it.
  2. Faulty Defrost System: Another possibility is that there is an issue with the defrost system itself. If the defrost heater, thermostat, or timer is not functioning correctly, it can lead to excessive ice build-up in the freezer compartment. While you mentioned that the coils appear to be defrosted, it's still possible that there is a problem with one of these components that is causing the ice to accumulate in a different area.
  3. Poor Air Circulation: A third potential cause is that there is inadequate air circulation in the freezer compartment. If the freezer is too full or if items are blocking the vents, it can prevent cold air from circulating properly, leading to pockets of warmer air that can cause excess moisture to accumulate and freeze. It's worth checking to make sure that the freezer is not over-packed and that there is nothing blocking the vents.
  4. Water Leak: Finally, it's possible that there is a water leak somewhere in the refrigerator that is causing excess moisture to accumulate in the freezer compartment. This could be due to a damaged water line or valve, a faulty ice maker, or a damaged door seal that is allowing warm, humid air to enter the freezer. If you suspect a water leak may be the cause, it's best to have a professional diagnose and repair the issue.
Overall, it's hard to say for sure what is causing the ice build-up without further inspection, but these are some common possibilities to consider. If the issue persists, it may be worth calling a professional to diagnose and repair the problem.
0helpful
1answer

Maytag side by side msd264rheb freezer works frig isn't cold. We found ice on bottom freezer side and did melt it with a hair dryer. Frig vent is letting in, now a little cool air, but not a lot.

If you found ice in the freezer then there is usually a lot more behind the back plate. If you let it defrost completely it should work good for a couple days until the ice builds up again. you more than likely have a deefrost issue. There are usually nthree components in a typical defrost circiut. The heater, defrost thermostat and a defrost timer or control. one or those is bad.
1helpful
1answer

Kenmore Freezer 106.727581: The freezer ices up and the temp goes up to 34 degrees. If I manually defrost it, it goes to 5 below zero in about 6 hours. How can I determine which of the below need to be...

The refrigerator is supposed to self-defrost approximately four times in every 24 hour period. If one of the components in the self-defrosting system fails, the refrigerator continues to try to cool. Eventually, though, so much frost builds up on the evaporator coils that the circulating fan can't draw air over the coils. There may still be a small amount of cooling because the coils are icy, but with no air flow over the coils, cooling in the refrigerator compartment is quite limited. Poor cooling is often the result of a heavy frost build-up on the evaporator coils. You can't see these coils without removing a panel on the inside of your freezer. A sure sign that there is a build-up is the presence of any frost or ice build-up on the inside walls, floor, or ceiling of the freezer. Such a frost build-up usually indicates a problem in the self-defrosting system or damaged door gaskets.Here's an inexpensive, though inconvenient, way to determine if the problem is with the self-defrosting system. Remove all of the perishable food from the refrigerator and freezer, turn the thermostat in the refrigerator to Off, and leave the doors open for 24 to 48 hours. (Be sure to have several towels ready in case the melting frost and ice causes the drip pan to overflow). This allows the refrigerator to defrost "manually." When the frost and ice build-up has completely melted away, turn the thermostat back to a normal setting. If the refrigerator then cools properly, it indicates a problem with one of three components in the self-defrosting system: The defrost timer The defrost thermostat (also called the bi-metal switch) The defrost heater. To determine if the defrost heater is burned out, watch this part testing video
0helpful
1answer

I have just defrosted the lower half of my fridge freezer as it built up a big ice block at the back? i put the theromastat on 3 and ice is has started to build up again on the back of fridge

Hi,
Some ice build up is normal, but it should go away when the unit defrosts...if it continues to build then the defrost is not working correctly...
Check out these tips...they can help you figure out what is going wrong withyour refrigerator and why it is not cooling

Refrigerator not Cooling or Fridge not Cooling

How to Defrost Refrigerator Defrost Timer Problem

Water Running in refrigerator from Freezer

Refrigerator or Freezer not Cooling or Getting Cold
heatman101
6helpful
2answers

Warm fridge cold freezer

Hi,advance thermostat setting, to get colder , it's possible you got defrost problem, is there excessive ice building inside back of freezer? to determine if you have a defrost problem, unplug ref. for about an hour,let it defrost, let all ice melt away, it's better to remove your produce, keep doors open to speed up defrosting, after defrosting and cleaning plug back your ref, and let it work for another hour, and check result, if it's o/k, put back your produce, let me know, during hot summer months, regular use (opening) of ref, could cause excessive ice build-up evap. if after defrosting and cleaning ref. work good for 3 to 4 days, but start doing the same thing, let me know, it means you got a defrost problem. also check your thermostat, but first defrost and clean it, that could just be your problem. good luck.
1helpful
1answer

Hotpoint refrigerator freezer(top) mod ctx18bacerww not cooling/freezing correctly. removed inside back panel in freezer compartment,found coils partially covered in frost, fan not blowing.. flicked fan...

Hi, fan may have stuck, but you could have a defrost problem, check defrost heater, thermodisc(defrost thermostat) and defrost timer. or excessive moisture, if your days are hot, or if you put hot foods in ref. could result in excessive ice build up. you can manually defrost it, by unpluging ref. for couple of hrs, until all ice melted. then restart. you make get excessive water on floor. be prepared.
0helpful
1answer

Intermittent freezing and fridge warm

The ice builds up in the freezer compartment because the defrost cycle is not working. Check the timer , the defrost elements the defrost thermodise.
God Bless.
Jul 07, 2009 • Freezers
0helpful
1answer

Ice build up in freezer

Defrost system failure.

Defrost timer, heater, therma disk, any one could be bad.

You could manually defrost and this would get the Ref back to working for a couple of days before it iced up again. Remember there is a lot of ice build up on the cooling coils in the freezer that you can't see so, a little extra time with a hair dryer is needed to do a complete manual defrost.
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