Bought an upright Frigidaire Freezer on Craigslist and the inside gets cold and works like a champ but the outside side panels get very hot- is this normal or is there a short?

Is your compressor running? Try this: place your hand on top the compressor, quickly-in case it's hot-it should be vibrating and cool/warm to the touch. If it's not running then the cheapest/fastest test is to try a 3in1 start kit from a local appliance shop. The 3 in 1 start should be around $14 to $20 to wire up. It's extremely simple to wire up, just ask the clerk at the appliance shop's parts counter and they will explain it. I hope this helps you out!!! :)

If the compressor is hot, then the temperature inside the unit may be compromised if there is a sealed system issue or a restriction in the unit. Call a professional to be safe.

the coil normally on b ack of fridges is on sides of freezers under skin it is normal to be warm. The hotter the weather the hotter the skin.

I have had the same problem with my frigidaire/electrolux upright freezer... I am researching to see if there is a pattern. Once or twice a year for the past few years, the freezer defrosted itself. I found the outside of the unit to be VERY hot to the touch around the time that this occurred.
We typically unplug it for a chunk of time when this happens and then replug it. It has always begun working again.
Sadly, we have lost many groceries and have had to clean many bloody meat messes as a result of this. ANYONE buying this freezer should save their receipt... That way, they can return it or have it repaired when it fails. I hate to think of sending all of these failing monstrosities to the landfill... =(

Freezers have tubes that run inside the walls and top of the case, these carry the refrigerant thru the heat exchange process, this will cause the outsides and top of the freezer case to get warm/hot some times, this is normal, but I recommend you to make sure there is at least 1 1/2" of ventalation clearance around the entire freezer so that it can exchange heat efficiently.
If you don't think the amount of heat present at the outside of the freezer case is NORMAL, then I recommend contacting Frigidaire directly and discuss this with there customer service people.
1-(800)FRIGIDAIRE
GOOD LUCK !!

No. If you feel the sides getting hot, it usually means that the ref. isn't cold enough inside. There us either an electric heater or a pass of the hot gas from the compressor around the edges of the doors as well as the mullion between them. If they feel hot, it's too warm inside.... Check the ice cream: It's the 1st to go.

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.

Check the fan down by the compressor to see if it's working . If not , it needs to be replaced .Also check the coils to make sure they are clean of dust , lint , etc... Is the fan inside the freezer working ? The hot sides are good . This means the compressor is working ( the " freon " attracts the heat inside the freezer , pulling it out , to make the freezer cold . The air flow over the sides , help dissapate the heat ) . Without the model number , I cant look up to see how the freezer is made .

I had the same problem with an upright and so I bought a piercing valve and charged the compressor with 134R and has been working great since.

condinser fan motor is probably not turning.