The dividing strip between the freezer & fridge is hot.

Hi, Welcome to FixYa.

I`ll start by letting you know first the heat between the doors is normal...to a degree, and done by design to help prevent moisture along the "breaker strip"/divider.

If all else appears fine, temp. Ok, fans running, no significant frost build up on freezer back wall, it's likely nothing to be concerned about.

**Just be sure the condensor fan isn't jammed and still turning.** The fan at the back next to the compressor.

The amount of heat can be determined by several factor's such as,

1) temperature setting - lower ( colder ) the temperature is set the more the run time the hotter the strip.

2) The ambient temperature - hotter the environment the more the unit runs to compensate, hence the hotter the strip.

3) The amount of "fresh" content added to the unit ( especially freezer section if unfrozen items added ) - new items add a lot of warmth thus demanding the unit to run more to remove this heat (btu`s or british thermal unit`s )causing the strip to be hotter.

4) Build up of dust & dirt on the condensor coils - this also causes the unit to run excessively which in turn makes for more heat on this strip.

These are all things which can and do determine the amount of heat between the doors.
Another factor to always consider is of course If it is hot where you live the unit may just be running more to compensate as with other factors I mentioned.

Hope this answer's your question and let me know if I can assist you further. Thank's for coming to "fixya" and good luck moving forward.

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macmarkus :)

This is usually normal for these units it can depen on how long the unit is running in a cooling mode.
the other thing to check is the condensor fan in the bottom back side of the fridge and make sure it is running if it is not the it needs to be replaced this will also cause alot of heat on the fromt of the unit

That fan behind the refrig , is the fan that cools the compressor . It should be running any time the compressor runs . If not running , replace it . The center divider between the fridge and freezer ( front strip ) should be getting hot to the touch if the fan is not running .

This strip is warmed to prevent condensation forming here during humid weather. Some models use a refrigerant pass of the compressor to warm this strip other use a heater that can be controlled by a 2 position switch in the refrigerator control panel that reads something like "Turn this on if moisture appears on cabinet exterior". If you have no such switch you should be aware that the strip is ALWAYS warm but barely noticeable until you develop a problem in the cooling system.

Check temperatures in the freezer (Zero Degrees approx.) and refrigerator (Approx. 30). If these are normal don't worry about the heat from that strip. If you find a temperature not normal you have the beginning of a cooling problem unrelated to that strip.

It is normal for the strip between the freezer and fresh food compartments to be warm to the touch. It's called the mullion strip and uses gas from the compressor discharge line to prevent moisture from forming there. Older models used an electric heater to do the same thing.

As far as the one time operational failure......it's a bit difficult to even guess not knowing the brand and model. Talk to us if it fails again.

Sir,
Sounds like there is a problem in the sealed system. Remove the rear lower cover and tell me if the condenser fan is turning. While there, is the Compressor hot to the touch?
Pull the unit away from the wall and then remove the rear bottom cover. Is the condenser fan running? If it's real dirty there, unplug the unit and clean real well. In the freezer section...look on the rear wall and tell me if you see any frost building up.
Thanks Good Luck

Hi: Those areas are designed to be warm to keep moisture from forming there(Moulion coil). When they get hot it means the fridge is over working. The condenser coils remove the heat from the fridge. When clogged the heat will leave anywhere it can. The moulion coil is the strip you described,and will overheat when the condenser coils wont disperse the heat. Most likely the coils need a good cleaning, on the bottom of the ref. Use a coil brush and a vacuum. Or even an air compressor to blow the dust and hair out; plan on dusting the house too. Pull the grill off the front and clean them. If real bad pull the panel of the lower back and clean it out too. Since you work in detroit the dust and hair on the coils would be like putting a blanket over your radiator. Parts would heat up. I hope it's just the coils. If a compressor is failing you can get the same symptoms. I hope it is the latter for you, as I'm in your boat also. I hope this helps, Jeff

That is a heat strip to prevent condensate near the door seals and yours is possibly shorting out because the control fo it is defective. Send me the model number for your Roper and I will look at the diaqrams to confirm my theroy. Thanks, Sea BreezeEnter your model number at the link below and it will take you to the parts and photos.http://servicepartstec.blogspot.com

the defroster isn't close enough to the drain to be effective. remove the back wall of the inside of the freezer, remove the excess ice. clear out the ice from the drain using hot water and a turkey baster. there is a kit from whirlpool that uses a piece of metal and a screw around the defrost rod, but I found out that a piece of 14 gauge solid core wire with the insulation stripped off works great too. stick the stripped wire into the drain, 2 to 3 inches, and wrap the rest around the defrost rod.

vacuum the coils behind the bottom grate.