I have a 10 year old Sub-Zero side by side refrigerator - freezer. About two months ago, the top shelf (top 1/3) of the refrigerator became warm compared with the bottom. The lower shelves remain cool but even when the thermostat is turned to the coldest setting, the top shelf remains relatively warm. There is also some new ice build up in the refrigerator section on the back wall, about at the level of the vegetable drawers. The freezer appears to be working fine.
It sounds as though you have a fridge that is low on freon. If the ice is appearing mostly to the left, then thats surely your problem. if it goes all the way across, you may have a bad evaporater fan motor, fan motor switch, bad cold control, or just a door that isn't closing or sealing properly. If its the ice mostly to the left side, it probably means your evaporater is leaking the freon. I am assuming you have a model that has a cold control on the back wall, not the electronic display by your description. If your unit is less than 12 years old by the installation date, the part will still be under warranty (sub zero has an unmatched 12 year sealed system parts warranty) but the labor and freon will not be. The repalcement of that evaporater in my area usually runs about $450 with labor, freon and trip all together. It is a repair you cannot do unless you have an acetlyn torch and some silver-soldering/ brazing ability. If your model is in fact the newer style with the electronic temp display, call sub zero up (the # is on the model/serial tag in the door jamb) and tell them wahts going on. If it is in fact an evaporater leaking on this style, they will most likely pay the bill for you even if its well out of the 5 year full warranty. If you want to know for sure, remove all the shelves, then remove the cover over the lights. Then if its electronic remove the 3 screws holding the top of the back panel and tilt the panel out to you and pull it up and out: if its a dial type, remove the 2 screws holding the fan cover and then tilt the back wall out to you and lift it up and outwards, but not too far as it wil pull the wires of that control knob (cold Control) Look at the coils back there and see if the coils are frosty. If they are only frosty on the upper left of the coil, its low on freon and needs an evaporater. if its frosty all the way across, top to bottom, you need a cold control, or possibly a fan or fan switch. Hopefuly you can wade through all this. Just post back if you have any questions. Good Luck!
Posted on Aug 16, 2007
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