Refrigerator repair...

[SAMI]

Our refrigerator unit's freezer is no longer freezing. What I do know: the fan just above the the evaporative coils in the back panel of the freezer is running; there is a large chunk of ice/frost built up on the evaporative coils in the back of the freezer.

I'm assuming: Either the defrost heater, t-stat, timer, has failed - or a combination of any of the three.

Any insight? Ways to narrow down which items may be bad?

Our refrigerator:

 

[Seven]

I am no refridgerator specialist, however I have stayed at holiday inn.

I would first try melting that big chunk of Ice. Get all your coolers and empty your fridge and then let it Melt all the ice away. at your own risk you can speed up the process with a hair dryer. I have had fridges just get too clogged up with ice to where the cold air wasn't able to circulate enough to keep things froze. As soon as my big chunk of ice was gone the fridge/freezer worked again.

 

[crawldaddy]

Your on the right track, If you want to speed up the melting process take the back wall off(Or Amanas might be in the floor in the freezer, I don't remember?) and use a hair dryer(slow) or I used a pump up garden sprayer to melt the ice. The water will run down the drain and into the drip pan. Never use any tools or pry on the ice. Then turn the defrost timer(bottom front of fridge behind kick plate, or on the back near the compressor) until it clicks and goes into the defrost cycle. Now you can test to see if power is making it to the t-stat, element. Check the element for continuity. Replace bad part and enjoy a cold fridge again. P.S. Unplug while you melt ice plug in after ice is gone.

 

[JL Rockies]

Defrost and check to make sure the intake is not clogged with debris like pet hair.

 

[JL Rockies]

assuming it works like air conditioning

 

[SAMI]

I located the timer in the top panel on the fresh food side, advanced it to defrost, and I watched the ice melt away. I'm going to replace the timer in case it has bad contacts on the defrost switch, and I'll replace the t-stat for peace of mind since it's good to do while in there. The t-stat is more or less a safety device so that the fridge doesn't turn into a raging fireball and burn the house down... Ok, extreme but it could happen. I should have it back up and running in a few hours when I make it back to the house. We lost about $25 in meat, totally sucks.

I did also vacuum out the bottom of the refrigerator. 1" thick dust on everything in the back, and 10"s of dog hair piled up front.. Gee, that's now on the must clean once a month list.

 

[SAMI]

FWIW, if you ever need any assistance with an appliance - you call Mick @ Dodge Appliance & Service 801-255-6518. Mick is the Myiagi of appliance repair, and talked me through diagnosing each component over the phone. Awesome customer service.

 

[JL Rockies]

The pet hair will getcha every time.

 

[SAMI]

I'm assuming that I need to let the entire refrigerator defrost so that the system is free of any frozen spots in the lines? I replaced the thermostat and timer, but neither the fresh food side, or freezer were blowing very cold immediately after.