Kenmore 106 freezer won't go below 15 degrees

You're running a little warm in the freezer section. Put a thermometer in there. Typically, you should be around 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

Check that the condenser coils are clean, and that the condenser fan (the one near the compressor on the backside of the machine) is working. The compressor should be fairly hot to the touch, but not burning hot.

Is there any frost building up on the back wall of the freezer section, and is there room for air flow around the vents? That could restrict the air flow through the coils, also causing warmer temperatures in the freezer. If so, that would point to a different defrost issue.

Feel free to comment back so I can send you in the correct direction.

it should not be the compressor as the bottom is only not cooling.

Some models have a switch activated by the lower door or fridge door. If the door id open, the fan in the freezer will stop. That switch protrudes or bounce out when the door is open. Check is the switch is faulty. Check temperature setting for the fridge too. There is a fan that takes the cool air and blow it thru the vents to cool the fridge side. If the fan is in the freezer, check the direction of its rotation.
It should be sucking sir from the freezer and blowing out to the fridge vents.

Any frost build up on inside back freezer wall? Are fans in freezer and at compressor working?

• Check the thermostat control. Even if you've not touched it, something may have knocked it and adjusted the setting. The thermostat may also need to be adjusted depending on the temperature of its surroundings and the coldness of the weather.
• Make sure any food stored in the fridge or freezer is not blocking any air vents. This can stop air circulating properly.
• If the fridge is too close to the wall, the condenser coils will not function properly.
• Defrost the fridge and freezer thoroughly and clean the inside surfaces with warm water. Check any air vents to ensure they are not blocked.
• Clean the condenser coils at the back of the fridge using a vacuum cleaner, making sure all dust and any dirt are removed. Clean any stubborn dirt away with warm soapy water, being careful not to scrape the coils. Turn your fridge off and unplug it before doing this.
• Make sure the fridge's fans are not clogged and are able to function properly. Again, you need to turn your fridge off and uplug it before attempting this.
• Check the door is closing properly. Make sure nothing is obstructing it or pushing it slightly open. Ensure the seals around the edge are working well.

I'd suspect a failed thermostat in the fridge compartment, a split and sagging door seal, or a fault on the microprocessor control if it has one of those.

Did you try it with the manual? Kenmore Coldspot Model 106 Manual

Lubricate the condensor fan with a parifin based oil like Union 76 turbine oil or "Zoom Spout" oiler. These fans are notorious for the bearings drying up on them.

Being careful.... touch the compressor copper lines. One should be very warm almost Hot to the touch.
Also with the unit unplugged..... note that there is a coolant drier with a small capillary tube coming out of one end. Tap the side of this by holding a hammer handle (wood) against it and hit it on the side with a screw driver handle.

Check to make sure the evaporator fan in the freezer compartment is also running when the compressor is on. Anytime the compressor is running BOTH fans must be running. If you can not get the condensor fan up to full speed you will note that the chassis around the door seal area will be quite warm almost hot to the touch and the unit will not be cooling properly. Just for troubleshooting.... direct a fan at the condensor coils and see if the freezer compartment gets cold and that the chassis around the door seals is just warm.

Note about compressors in general.... if you unplug a unit.. it must settle / stabilize for 15 - 20 minutes so that the compressor can restart. Any power off periods less than 15 mins will result in the compressor cycling via the thermal overload every 4 minutes or so... and it does not run for more than 40 seconds when the overload kicks off the PTC relay power.

If you never feel the copper line off of the side of the compressor get hot then the unit has lost coolant.

Thanks for choosing FixYa,
Kelly

Hi,

This is normal. The condenser coils on freezers are typically located in the walls.

The refrigerator in your kitchen has condenser coils that are hot either under the frig or on the back. Freezers do not need as much heat transfer on the coils with the air so they put them in the walls, it is called a warm wall condenser. It may even feel hot to the touch if you happen to feel it near the end of a cooling cycle. It will be the warmest close to the compressor and cool off at it makes it around the cabinet down to the other side.

If your chest freezer is less than 50 years old, it does not have a fan. Cooling coils contact inner walls of freezer compartment, warm coils dissipate heat through outside walls of freezer. If compressor runs, temp is 30+ degrees, gasket is OK, lid not left open, then you have one of two contions: 1. Low capacity compressor 2. Refrigerant leak. Solution to either is to replace freezer. (My opinion: Don't get a Kenmore brand, which generally ties you into poor warranty and slow and poor service.) No matter what brand name is on the freezer, it is most likely manufactured by Electrolux (in St. Cloud, MN) or Haier (from China). Look at the model / serial number plate before purchase to see where it was manufactured. Yes, the USA manufactured ones are better. (and I'm not just saying that because the plant is less than 15 miles from where I am sitting right now)