Defroster cycle stuck

replacing evap fan motor, or how to disassemble and troubleshoot ge refrigerator.

Good day,
Doesn't have one. It functions thru a motherboard mounted on the bottom back rear of the machine.
Normally 5 thermistors are used (3 in the freezer 2 in the fresh food compartment) to operate the machine.
Defrosting cycles are controlled by the motherboard with the input as well from compressor running time and the number of door openings.

Your problem is in the defroster circuit . Most defroster circuits contain only three components. They are : a timer , a heating element , and a temperature sensing cutoff switch.
Your refrigerator defrost timer shuts down normal operation every six to eight hours and goes into the defrost cycle.
Line voltage is applied to the heating element . It heats up and melts the ice on the evaporator. Once the ice is melted, and the evaporator area warms up to a certain temperature, the temperature sensing cut off switch opens up and stops the current flow through the circuit. The timer is a running clock, so to speak , and will eventually deactivate the defrost cycle return the refrigerator to its normal operation .
Normally, the element or sensing switch will be the component to replace. Also, sometimes it can be just a bad connection in the element and sensor wire connectors.

You have a bad thermostat . The piece the refrig temp knob is on ( not the freezer knob , it works off an adjusting rod ) .

How to check everything
http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/appliance/refrigerator/refrigerator.php
If the evaporator coils behind the back panel of the freezer are icing up because of auto defrost failure that will stop the circulation of cold air and eventually affect the freezer too.

check defrost heater, defrost thermostat. If the heater and thermostat are ok it’ll be the control board.

If the evaporator coils behind the back panel of the freezer are icing up because of auto defrost failure that will stop the circulation of cold air and eventually affect the freezer too.

check defrost timer, defrost heater, defrost thermostat. In most newer models the timer has been replaced by an electronic control board. If the heater and thermostat are ok it’ll be the control.

You can turn the defrost timer till it clicks and everything shuts down. The heater should now come on. If it does, replace the timer. If it doesn't, check the heater and defrost thermostat. Turn the timer again till everything starts back up to end the defrost cycle.

It may just be a defrost timer. Search online for information. There is plenty to be had. Check with the website of GE for a parts breakdown or your manual if you still have it for the location of the defrost timer. You can turn it manually so it goes into defrost. Does the unit seem to be running all the time and never shuts off? If so that timer could be stuck in the cool mode and the evaporator is freezing up solid so air wont flow over it to properly cool. I've had two refrigerators I've had to repair that had defrost timer problems. One stuck in the defrost cycle and wouldn't turn on to cool, the other did what you are describing. It stuck in the cool cycle and wouldn't defrost you may need to manually bypass the cooling cycle several times to allow it to completely defrost. Usually it cycles in cool from 6,8 or ten hours and only stays in defrost for over twenty minutes. That should defrost it and allow it to start cooling again. If you notice that frost has disappeared inside on the wall replace the timer.

First point: The entire fridge is cooled by the freezer section. A fan blows air across to the food section.
2) Every 8 hours or so, a timer shuts off the compressor cycle, and starts up a heater to defrost the freezer coils. If the heater(s) are burnt out, or if the safety thermostat (to prevent overheating) is open, then you will have no defrost. The coils will frost up and eventually prevent airflow to the food section. Milk goes sour.
3) In rare circumstances, the timer itself can stall. This cause the same symptoms as above, but this is not as common as the other 2 causes of No Defrost.
Sequence: Check heater continuity. Check safety thermostat continuity while cold. Check defrost timer operation.
Hope this helps. I am a journeyman with 39 years exp. Happy New Year.

yes, remove the freezer panel and defrost with blow dryer. will work for about 5 to 7 days.

Defrosters are commonly controlled by a primitive timer and this may have a 'dry' and a 'wet' (humid) climate setting that will cause the defroster to cycle generally every 12 or 24 hours.
If set wrong (by accident or on purpose), it can allow too much frost to accumulate before attempting to defrost.
This can cause a gradual buildup of ice.

Also the heating element for the freezer may have failed open so it never heats at all. The connections that need to be checked are often buried between the in- and outside walls.

The timer is probably still OK since you apparently aren't having a problem on the refrigerator side.