Is it normal for the freezer to go off periodically? It just seems to stop running and later it will start running again. I've had this freezer for 5 years and don't ever remeber this happening before.

Hello Danie;

My name is Peter. I am a retired field service refrigeration technician.

The normal setting for a freezer is -2 to +2 degrees F., and the normal setting for the fresh food section is +35 to +40 degrees F.

You only have one source of cooling and that is your freezer. With the settings that you have, you are asking your unit to do what it is not designed to do.

The ice maker is struggling because if it is a cast steel ice cube mold, the heater beneath it is not designed for the current to break the ice cubes free @ -18 degrees F., or if you have a plastic flex ice cube mold it is too ridged to flex enough to break the ice cubes free. Normally your ice maker should dump 8-10 times in a 24 hour period.

A note on food storage. Make sure you do not overload your freezer of fresh food section to the point where food product extends beyond the edge of the shelves.

This is normal if your freezer is in good working condition. If your compressor runs constantly then there is a problem. Once the unit reaches the set temperature the compressor shuts down. The set temperature should be between -2 & +2 degree F. The set temperature also depends on how full the freezer is. There will be a time when the freezer like refrigerators will shut down. This is relative to the term, "Frost Free". The unit will shut down for about 10 minutes. This occurs ever 8-10 hours. The heater turns on to defrost your freezer coil. It sounds like you are in good shape.

From what I read, the "L." that you see on the control panel indicated that the controls have been locked. According to the manual if you hold down the "alarm reset" button for 3 seconds the "L." will disappear allowing you to control the temperature again. I don't as of yet know what is causing your overall problem though...

Thanks for all the suggestions. I just replaced the overload relay and it does the same thing. Runs for a few seconds and the loud click from overload relay. I did notice the relay is really hot to the touch, if that matters.Coils on back are clean. I had noticed the last few months that the inside coils were frosting up quite a bit.Really had hoped it was the relay.

With the time as the compressor gets old the buzzing will increased, its not a bid deal, just set the thermostat to 1 during the winter, saves you energy and give the compressor more time to rest.

change the thermostat

It sound like your compressor is in trouble, I would try and see what amp. the compressor is running in this 30 seconds. If it is over the name plate requirement I would try to change a 3 in 1 electrical component to see wheather it helps. Check your amp. at all time.Hope this help.God Bless

Temp alarm come on, yet temp (fan blowing and cold air) working. Turn the temp control just a notch up and immediately the temp lite goes out. Later it will start up again. It seems the freezer is working fine, just the temp moritoring system is malfuncting.

The compressor is overheating and not starting. Could be just the start relay. If this happens again try unplugging it for about an hour then it should work for a while. Heat between doors is normal this is an electric heater designed to keep the doors from sweating. You just noticed it because the refrigerator wasn't cold.

if you don't hear it running for extended periods of time (more than 15 minutes) without stopping, and if it does not immediately re-start once it does stop, and if it is extremely hot climate outside (85 F and above), then yes, this is acceptable.