Hotpoint refrigerator Model HSS221FMD, Serial # GD279001. The Freezer compartment keeps freezing up which eventually causes items to defrost and failure of the cold storage half to keep unfrozen items cold. I unload all items from the freezer compartment and the refrigerator half, defrost the whole thing and it works fine for 3 or 4 weeks and the whole process is then repeated.

here are lots of things that can cause cooling problems. One of the most common causes of poor cooling in a frost free refrigerator is a defrost system failure. In such a case one or the other compartment may appear to be keeping proper temperature but that too may change in a short period of time. The fridge compartment's temperature rise is usually (but not always) the first to be noticed. Frost" and "Ice"
There is a difference between "frost" (a white, snow-like substance) and "ice" (usually clear and solid). When referring to what is seen during an inspection, please keep this distinction in mind as the possible causes for each are often very different. The Defrost System
Inspecting the (usually rear) wall of the freezer compartment for a frost build up is necessary. (In the case of many GE top freezer models, check the freezer's bottom panel.) If there is a frost coating on it, it is often a sign of excessive frosting beneath it. Sometimes however the evaporator cover panel will actually need to be removed (see the illustration below) before an excessive frost build will visible.
The refrigeration system's evaporator (cooling) coil is usually in the freezer compartment. This evaporator will periodically frost over and have to be defrosted by means of a heating system. When the defrost heating system fails, the frost can accumulate to such a degree that airflow throughout the appliance is hampered. There may be just enough air circulation to cool the freezer section but that will eventually stop too.

There could be a large list of things that cause the freezer to warm up from the temperature it was before. The most likely reason is you probably have a defrost problem. Defrost heater, defrost thermostat and the defrost control are all things that may have failed. If your model is not a frost free let me know. Look inside freezer for a layer of frost building on the rear wall. If your refrigerator is not defrosting it will be a short time before the fresh food compartment begins to warm. To extend the time your refrigerator and freezer can keep food safe defrost by placing a bucket of hot water inside the freezer and close the door. Please place food from freezer and fresh food compartment into another refrigerator or cold storage area. By keeping doors shut as much as possible the refrigerator and freezer will last up to a week this way before defrosting again, Sea Breeze

Check for stuck fan by removing freezer panel.
Model and serial number should be in the lower compartment on the side wall.
The unit may also be frozen up solid, preventing the fan from turning. You can
defrost the unit with a hair dryer with the freezer back panel removed.
(usually 4 to 6 screws to remove and unplug fan). If the problem persists
then replace the "defrost termination thermostat" as the unit will not defrost
causing this condition. It is a small item clipped onto a tube with 2 or 3 wires
coming to it. It is basically a thermal switch and it controls the defrost element
that prevents freeze up.

Several things to look at. first make sure you defrost the freezer fully, (you can use a
hair dryer to defrost the coils behind the back panel of the freezer).
Then I would
replace the "defrost termination thermostat" It is clipped onto a tube and has two wires
going to it, this is an inexpensive part that often causes this failure. Model and serial
number is inside the big door usually on the left side.
Also make sure the fan operates in the freezer compartment, as well as setting the
knob in the freezer to the center and not "COLDER"-- this knob blocks off air flow to the lower compartment if set to "COLDER" and can cause freeze up.

Rotate defrost timer until you hear a click and listen for water dripping in
freezer or a hissing as the element heats up. Defrost timer is accessed by a hole under the temperature control panel that has no screw in it in the lower compartment. Rotate the timer manually with a flat screwdriver until it clicks. They sometimes stick.
Hope this solves the problem.

Yrur model number is missing the last three digits.... I will use FRT21H8CB1 as the example model number.
You need to do a total manual defrost with a catch basin and comprtment drain cleaning.
- Unplug the unit
- Remove fgreezer contents
- Direct an exteranl fan into the freezer compartment for just over 2 hours to ensure the compartment drain tube has defrosted.
- During the defrost period... open the fiberboard panel on the lower back of the refrigerator and clean out everything, Condensor coils, catch / drip pan (Called pan-defrost for parts), and the END of the compartment drain tube.
Model reference:
http://www.appliancepartspros.com/partsearch/model.aspx?model_id=5158190&diagram_id=1311449#d1311449

Defrost pan Item 26 of above link needs to be cleaned.
Coils Item 1 need to be cleaned
Fan blade Item 61 needs to be cleaned.

The evaporator trough, drain item 17 also should be clear. Here is what you can do without tearing everything in the back of the freezer apart. Once your sure the comprtment drain tube (no item number / bulk hose) is clean on the end. Use the exhaust of a Vacuum cleaner and the hose to force air UP through the drain hose and float out any debris from the trough drain. Have a 2nd person listen for air flow into the freezer compartment if possible. The biggest problems with freezer compartment drains is the END of the hose at the defrost pan underneath the unit clogs up and then the compartment drain hose just loads up with scum. Then the freezer stops draining and you have the symtom your describing.

After the manual defrost and cleaning return the unit to normal service.

Having said all of that... if the refrigerator then freezer starts warming up in 3 - 4 days... you may have an automatic defrost problem causing the icing. I.e it is not defrosting so the evaporator eventually ices over and forms an ice block in the back and bottom of the freezer compartment. Usually if there is an ice block that forms you wil hear the evaporator fan striking the ice build up.
If this is happening... for sure there is an automatic defrosting problem and your stuck doing a manual defrost ever 3 - 4 days until repairs are complete.

One more note.. if there is NOT any compartment drain tubing visible... your unit may port evaporator tray water down the back of the fresh food compartment to the defrost pan under the unit... just clean everything that serves as a drain function best you can during the manual defrost and cleaning process.

Thanks for choosing FixYa,
Kelly

Hi,

Check out these tips...they can help you figure out what is going wrong withyour refrigerator and why it is not cooling

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heatman101
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Fridge along bottom shelves is much colder than the very top shelf which has milk etc., leading to spoilage. Fridge is at highest setting. In the upper left rear of the fridge compartment, is a cover for what I believe to be a circulatory fan. However, trying to remove this cover is difficult.
It seems that the clip nuts to which the two (2) small capscrews fasten are free wheeling and not allowing me easy access to the motor.

Please advise.

My model no. is HSS221FMD WW

Yes, if defrost board is bad it will cause problems. Need to listen for fan inside the freezer compartment also. If freezer does not defrost cold air will not circulate properly causing warmer temperatures inside refrigerator. Is model number SXD524VW ?
Let me know, Thanks, Sea Breeze

hi thanks for the question you problem could be a no defrost problem remove the floor of the freezer 4 screws lift from back to front remove foam if its all frosted up you have a defrost problem a bad fan motor also can cause this it could also be stuck in ice if so use hair blower and thaw dry it real good re assemble and try again thanks the appliance doc

Sounds like a defrost problem. Check to see if there is any frost buildup in the back wall of the freezer. If so, it is not defrosting as it should.

• possible causes:

1. bad defrost timer
2. bad defrost heater (in freezer)
3. bad thermo switch in freezer

If you don’t know what these are then unplug the machine and let the ice melt in the freezer overnight with the door open. Then try it the next day, if is cooling fine then you need to have a service person replace one of the above items.