I have a hot point refrigerator model CTX14AYBNRAA. Yesterday the freezer lost cold, all food thawed. Today the frig is 70 degrees. I replaced the defrost timer. It did not help. What else can I do?

On most new refrigerators there is damper that opens and allows the cold air from the freezer to circulate through the fresh food side.
I have seen this same problem caused by over stuffing either the freezer side and or the fresh foods side. On the sides of the fresh foods section there are normally vents which allow cold air from the freezer side to flow. If these are covered up, the air cannot circulate and without air circulation, the temp rise.

Both freezer side and fresh food side work because air is allowed to circulate around your product. I saw a refrigerator that the bottom half was 70 degrees and top half 38 degrees. The shelf about halfway down was completely blocking airflow. Threw out a bunch of boldly items and bags, rearranged items so air could flow and unit started working properly again.

If the damper is not opening, I have seen them freeze shut. It may have to be thawed.

There is also on some models a recirculation fan that gets turned on to circulate cold air from freezer. If this fan burns out or is blocked, it may need to be replaced.

You can go to searspartsdirect.com with your make and model number and get a complete drawing and parts breakdown for most refrigerators. And more important, you can buy them and have the part typically in two days at your door.
Hope this help!

I I just learned a thing about refrigerators that might just help you.
If you will take the bottom covers off the machine, you should find some electrical pieces under the machine, next to or perhaps mounted on the compressor.
One of those things might be a "Klix-on".
This thing is about the size of half your fist, and it is often connected to an electrical unit that is again half the size of your fist, to make a total of a fist-sized piece.
If you will take a hammer and give this unit a tap or two, not hard enough to break it, and the refrigerator starts, you have found your problem.
The "klix-on" is a replaceable part that starts the motor up.
Sometimes the points stick, and a new one will fix you right up.
God bless your efforts.

Most newer freezers have self defrosting. But it will not thaw out the food at all. For it to thaw completely in 1 day, the compressor did not come on at all. I would first check the fuse or circuit breaker in your home. Many different issues could cause the same result of the freezer not getting cold at all. Defective thermostat, defective compressor, refrigerant leak or loose wiring at connection points. It could possibly be stuck in the defrost mode too.

Deforst freezer and ref. wipe dry. Reset controls to starting point.
Check temp. 0 in fez. 38-40 in ref. keep advancing settings until you reach temp. Also, vaccum behind unit

These are the things that makes a frig inefficient.
Dirty condenser coil
not an energy saver model
temp. in freezer only 20 degrees instead of zero
lost of freon
too much food in the freezer blocking air vents
thermostat set too high
bad doors gaskets
frig. located in area that is extremely hot all the time

these are possiblities so see if you can use this as a guide.. if none fit your problem let us know... thank you

Good day,
Any temperature below 55 degrees will cause the machine to go
out of balance. If far enough below 55 degrees the machine will reach a point where it rarely if ever runs. Thus your problem.

Frigidaire's owner manual will verify this.
Domestic refrigerators/freezers are designed to work properly at temperatures comfortable to people.
Usually 70 to 95 degrees.
Sorry I can't give you a solution better than this but it is a common complaint here in cold weather. This problem applies to all brands and models of refrigerators - freezers.

Thank you for using FixYa

If the freezer is staying cold it sounds like a defrost system problem. A bad timer, heater or thermostat can cause frost to build up on the coils and block air flow to the refrig side. Check out ACMEHowTo.com for troubleshooting the defroster problem.
There is a small duct between the freezer and refrigerator side if this is blocked the frig side won't cool.

Good day,
Yes. Domestic appliances will not work properly below approx 55 degrees.
The freezer suffers most simply because the machine runs rarely at 55 degrees and degrades as the temp goes lower.
They are designed to balance properly when in an environment where people live. Ideally 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
The machine is not broken.
Moving it inside, is the only solution.

Thank for using Fixya

Check the defrost timer, it may be out, if the coils in you freezer are all froze over with ice it may stop your fan from circulating the cool air to the frig side, this is cause by the defrost time not working. It will need to be replaced. You will need the model number and to thaw the coils with a heater or to unplug the frig while it thaws. If this is your problem call First
Source and provide with model number and ask for a defrost heater. Replace per instructions.

you need to replace the start components on the compressor, theres a relay that mounts on to the compressor that takes out the start winding after it starts the compressor up. You can also try whats called a three in one to try to start up the unit. Good Luck.