Intermittent freezer problem

sounds like a bad defrost terminator or timer wired wrong. won't make temp as the evap is not clear of ice/frost build up. check your wiring diagram for location and operation of terminator.

Hi,

Check out these tips...they can help you figure out whats going wrong with your refrigerator and why it is not cooling

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http://www.fixya.com/support/r3662945-refrigerator_not_cooling_or_fridge_not

How to Defrost Refrigerator Defrost Timer Problem
http://www.fixya.com/support/r3771673-defrost_refrigerator_defrost_timer


Water Running in efrigerator from Freezer
http://www.fixya.com/support/r3780310-water_running_in_refrigerator_from

heatman101

i had the same problem and it turned out to be the sensor, a $15 part. it pretty much controls everything related to defrosting.

check the defrost timer

one time i ran into this problem and found out the lady was putting hot things in the freezer creating alot of moisture. check your door seal also make sure its sealing if it had gaps you can heat it up with a hairdryer to streach it out.

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/dude_653d05454b389bba

If the defrost timer sticks in the defrost mode,yes. Normal defrost time is 30 minutes or less depending upon which timer is installed.
If it happens again,locate the defrost timer and turn the dial manually to see if the compressor comes back on. If so,replace the timer.
It is probably on the rear near the compressor. Some are under the front behind the dust guard.

Hi. I am Kelly and welcome to FixYa. Here is the real question..... Is the food staying frozen?

Freezers usually defrost 3 times a day (8 hr intervals) Some as often as 4 times a day. The freezer use concept is that it is not opened more than 3 times a day. (Yes there will be more times than that any given week)

Having said all of that.... some things to look at.

1. Check the door seal for any signs of tears... grease... collapse...

2. Make sure there are no gaps in the door or between the closed door and the seal.

3. Many people don't check this one... but make sure it is level. An un-level freezer can cause the door seal not to function correctly.

Now if your saying that the food is actually defrosting... then there are a few other things that can cause that.

A. Sticking / defective Defrost timer

B. Defrost element is not heating and the freezer goes through a VERY long defrost cycle as the contents have to reach 60 Deg F for the 60 Deg bi-metal thermostat to close and advance the defrost timer to start the compressor.

C. Intermittent operation of the 60 Deg thermostat

I hope this clears things up a bit for you.

Thanks for using FixYa.

Kelly

Check to see if the defrost system is working.
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 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.

If you need help finding your model number see here> http://www.appliancepartspros.com/modelnumber_locator.aspx

To locate your timer, motherboard, control or adaptive defrost control , enter your model number and search for the part or post back on Fixya.
http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/index.action?psid=26129238&sid=PSx20071217x00001a

turns out the coils were not defrosting or at best working intermittently. I defrosted the coils and ordered a defrost timer the old timer continued to pop from intermittently.I replaced the defrost timer
and it quit popping and noew the freezer works fine temps range between 9 degrees F and
14 degrees f.

might have a defrost problem check to see if it is building up with on the back panel if it is you need a defrost timer or limiter or heater or fan