It sounds like you have a failure of the automatic defrost system. This system has 3 components
- timer, this device provides power to the compressor for cooling then changes to the defrost mode every 8 - 10 hours and provides power for the heater
- heater, this is located just below the evaporator and clears the frost from the coils
- terminator, this device turns the defrost cycle off and prevents over heating during the defrost cycle.
To test the components locate the timer, it is usually on the back or in front behind the kick panel; it looks like this
The white piece can be turned either by hand or a flat blade screwdriver, turn it clockwise slowly until a positive 'click' is heard. Once you hear this stop and wait, you will be in the defrost cycle, if you open the door after about 5 minutes you should hear the water sizzling on the heater faintly behind the back panel inside the freezer. If you do hear that then the heater and terminator are okay and you need to replace the timer.
If you do not get heat you will need to unload the freezer, and remove the back panel. Behind there is the evaporator and below that is the heater. You will have to test the heater with an ohm meter it should read under 100 ohms.
The terminator is clipped to the top of the evaporator and should read 0 ohms when it is cold.
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