Refrigerators Logo

Related Topics:

Posted on Jun 28, 2011
Answered by a Fixya Expert

Trustworthy Expert Solutions

At Fixya.com, our trusted experts are meticulously vetted and possess extensive experience in their respective fields. Backed by a community of knowledgeable professionals, our platform ensures that the solutions provided are thoroughly researched and validated.

View Our Top Experts

Freezer is working overtime and refrigerator not cooling. I've cleaned underneath. There is ice on the inside back wall of the freezer

1 Answer

Charles T Nevin

Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

Superstar:

An expert that got 20 achievements.

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

  • Master 4,070 Answers
  • Posted on Jun 28, 2011
Charles T Nevin
Master
Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

Superstar:

An expert that got 20 achievements.

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Joined: Jun 30, 2009
Answers
4070
Questions
0
Helped
1087167
Points
13055

DEFROST PROBLEM
The evaporator coil behind the cover on the back wall inside the freezer will ice up under normal conditions. Every 8 to 10 hours for around 20 minutes the defrost timer (or in most newer models the electronic adaptive defrost control) will turn the defrost heater on to melt the built up ice. There is a defrost thermostat which prevents the heater from overheating the freezer by breaking the heater circuit when the temp reaches close to 32 degrees F. The entire cooling system shuts off during the defrost cycle and starts back when the timer advances through the cycle.

If this ice is not melted it will continue to build up until the air can't flow over the coil to circulate the cold air through the freezer and into the fridge. The temperature change in the fridge is usually noticed first followed by the freezer.

If the defrost thermostat is bad, it can prevent the heater from coming on OR it won't turn the heater off when it gets too warm. It is clamped to the evaporator coil at the top to sense the temp. If it appears to be misshapen it is bad.
With an ohm meter it should show continuity when cold and none when warm.
You can also bypass(disconnect the two wires plugged into it and twist them together) the thermostat to see if the heater comes on then. If it does then you know the thermostat is bad and needs replaced.

The defrost heater is located on the evaporator. It is in a tube which is at the bottom and can also go up the sides of the evaporator. On some types you can see a burnt spot if it's bad. With an ohm meter it should show continuity from end to end when disconnected from the wiring in the freezer. You can also test the wiring for voltage when it's in the defrost mode.

If you have a defrost timer you can test it. It can be located under the fridge behind the kick panel on the front. Some are in the fridge with the controls at the top. You can turn the defrost timer till it clicks and everything shuts down. The heater should now come on. If it does, replace the timer because that means the timer is not running. If it doesn't, check the heater and defrost thermostat. Turn the timer again till everything starts back up to end the defrost cycle.

If you have an adaptive defrost control instead of a timer, replace it if the heater and thermostat test good. It is located in the fridge with the controls in some models and on the back in others.

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer

Freezer is causing fridge contents to freeze..... cont.

Do you see any ice buildup on the back wall of the freezer?
0helpful
1answer

KENMORE REFRIGERATOR WON'T COOL ON BOTTOM BUT FREEZER WORKS BUT HAS ICE ON BACK WALL

needs fan replaced, there are a couple of plastic strips down the sides of the bottom plate, remove those to expose screws remove bottom pan then back wall fan will unclip from wires local appliance store should have one avaiable
0helpful
1answer
0helpful
1answer

Top freezer working fine refrigerator part not cooling we've cleaned the coils

Did you check for an ice build up behind the rear panel in your freezer? It sounds like your defrost system is not working and allowing ice and frost build up that is blocking the cooling tubes to the refrigerator.

But also make sure that the evaporator fan in functional so that it forces the cold air from the freezer to the refrigerator through the cooling tubes.
0helpful
1answer

We have the Amana ABB2227DEW bought from Sears in October of 2005. The freezer IS working, however there is a little "frost" in there. The refridgerator up above the freezer is NOT cooling. My...

NOTE: This
is a multi-solution answer since I don't have all the tech from your question to pinpoint your problem
But the solution is in here generically, if you read and study the solutions very,very carefully.
Check Temp inside freezer. It has to be down to about 10 or 15 degrees
This can cause slow ice making if its too high even tho its freezing everything else at 25 degrees
See if water is in icemaker.
Pour water in Ice Maker and wait to see if it ejects.
If it ejects thenyou need to replace water valve in rear bottom of fridge(Its the part that
attaches to water line out of wall)
If it doesn't eject then it is a faulty Ice Maker.
If its leaking or no water at icemaker or door either one, then the valve at the rear bottom of ref needs replacing
First I would check the fan in the freezer. Listen to see if it is running
It moves air to the ref from the freezer
Then check to see if freezer control is turned WARMER, which makes the Ref. colder
Also if it is getting drinking water to the door but not to the icemaker (or vice versa) Then you need to replace
the water valve at the bottom rear of the fridge. It is a double valve and one side is not working
Also this might be a common Defrost problem, Ice
is not being melted by the defrost system.The fan can't blow through the coils into the fridge.
Take out back panel of freezer to check for ice buildup. The coils should be clean.
There are three components to a defrost system- a heater,heater thermostat, and a timer unless you have a defrost electronic card.
Its best handled by a Technician but you could possibly do it by taking your model number to the nearest appliance parts store and asking for the parts. They are mostly located in freezer ,behind back panel on freezer coils.except the card which is usually located in ref The parts store will have info
Also check fan undernearh Ref in the rear
Clean condenser coils underneath
.I'm including my article on Refrigerator Repair for your help and convenience.;
Please click or copy and paste into browser for Article
http://www.fixya.com/support/r5816737-fix_refrigerator_psychologically
Thanks for using fixya
Leo Ponder
imufo2
PLEASE GIVE A TESTIMONIAL AND VOTE FOUR THUMBS UP IF THIS WAS HELPFUL
0helpful
1answer

FRIGE JUST STOPPED WORKING NOT FREEZING AND THE REFRIGERATOR STOPPED COOLING. FREEZER ONLY BLOWING COOL AIR. THE NEXT DAY CAME HOME FROM WORK IN THE MORNING AND THE FREEZER IS BLOWING COLD AIR AND THE...

Check Temp inside freezer. It has to be down to about 10 or 15 degrees
This can cause slow ice making if its too high even tho its freezing everything else at 25 degrees
See if water is in icemaker.
Pour water in Ice Maker and wait to see if it ejects.
If it ejects thenyou need to replace water valve in rear bottom of fridge(Its the part that
attaches to water line out of wall)
If it doesn't eject then it is a faulty Ice Maker.
If its leaking same part needs replaced.The water valve at the bottom rear of fridge
First I would check the fan in the freezer. Listen to see if it is running
It moves air to the ref from the freezer
Then check to see if freezer control is turned WARMER, which makes the Ref. colder
Also this might be a common Defrost problem, Ice
is not being melted by the defrost system.The fan can't blow through the coils into the fridge.
Take out back panel of freezer to check for ice buildup. The coils should be clean.
There are three components to a defrost system- a heater,heater thermostat, and a timer unless you have a defrost electronic card.
Its best handled by a Technician but you could possibly do it by taking your model number to the nearest appliance parts store and asking for the parts. They are mostly located in freezer ,behind back panel on freezer coils.except the card which is usually located in ref The parts store will have info
Also check fan undernearh Ref in the rear
Clean condenser coils underneath
.I'm including my article on Refrigerator Repair for your help and convenience.;
Please click or copy and paste into browser for Article
http://www.fixya.com/support/r5816737-fix_refrigerator_psychologically
Thanks for using fixya
Leo Ponder
imufo2
PLEASE VOTE FOR ME IF THIS WAS HELPFUL
4helpful
3answers

Freezer is not working like it's supposed to

Hi,

Many times a freezer and/or refrigeratordo not work right because of a dirty condenser coil...there are also many otherthings that can go wrong. If you are hearing a clicking or buzzing thencheck out the last two tips.

If your refrigerator is running but warm, then...

Check out these tips that I wrote about that... it is a great place to starttrouble shooting your unit...and something that you can do rather then callinga repair person to do a simple thing for you...

Refrigerator Condenser Coil Cleaning Refrigerator Repair

Refrigerator Troubleshooting Refrigerator Compressor

Refrigerator Compressor Start Capacitor and Start Relay
Refrigerator or Freezer not Cooling or Getting Cold

heatman101
3helpful
1answer

Walls of freezer are hot to touch

freezer is working overtime . these symptoms generally indicate excessive outside air coming into freezer. make sure doorgasket is completely sealed all the way around door.
2helpful
1answer

Ice build up

Check that the door is closing properly otherwise the freezer will be working overtime to cool and ice will form. If the door seal is good, it is possible that the thermostat needs to be checked.
0helpful
1answer

Warm fridge

how is the freezer side check theese and get back to me hold the rating till we are done is the freezer fan running as the freezer cools both sides is there heavy frost on the back wall of the freezer down toward the bottom is the compressor running is the fan that cools the compressor running are the coils underneath the unit clean is the ice cream to soft milk too warm
Not finding what you are looking for?

84 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Maytag Refrigerators Experts

vince

Level 3 Expert

2530 Answers

Johnny 1000

Level 2 Expert

94 Answers

Jesse Walters
Jesse Walters

Level 2 Expert

337 Answers

Are you a Maytag Refrigerator Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...