What Is Wrong With My Refrigerator?
Some of you know more about refrigeration than I do, so I will present you with a problem.
The refrigerator is a Sears, made by Frigidaire, not my favorite brand. I like Whirlpool better.
There are separate temperature adjustments for each compartment. I have the freezer portion turned down as far as it will go, and it is not cold enough. It makes ice, and keeps food frozen, but ice cream gets soft.
The adjustment for the refrigerator part seems to be very finicky. The smallest adjustment will take it from frozen liquids to not quite cold enough.
The condensing coil is on the back, and I have cleaned it, with no change in performance.
This was a cheap refrigerator to begin with, sold by Sears as a "special purchase." I have since learned that "special purchase" items should probably be avoided.
Is there something I can do? Shall I call a repairman? Or, should I just plan on replacing the refrigerator soon?
The refrigerator is a Sears, made by Frigidaire, not my favorite brand. I like Whirlpool better.
There are separate temperature adjustments for each compartment. I have the freezer portion turned down as far as it will go, and it is not cold enough. It makes ice, and keeps food frozen, but ice cream gets soft.
The adjustment for the refrigerator part seems to be very finicky. The smallest adjustment will take it from frozen liquids to not quite cold enough.
The condensing coil is on the back, and I have cleaned it, with no change in performance.
This was a cheap refrigerator to begin with, sold by Sears as a "special purchase." I have since learned that "special purchase" items should probably be avoided.
Is there something I can do? Shall I call a repairman? Or, should I just plan on replacing the refrigerator soon?
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How old is it?
Might be time for a new one.
I bought an upright freezer at Sears about nine months ago.
Twice already,I've found everything starting to thaw out.[:0]
My thoughts are that the automatic de-frost is stickin' or somethin' and not lettin' it go back to the freeze mode.I can unplug it for a few minutes,plug it back in and it works fine.
I'm in it on a fairly regular basis,so I can keep an eye on it,but if it does it again,I'll be callin' them while it's still in warranty.
BW0 -
quote:Originally posted by nunn
I have the freezer portion turned down as far as it will go, and it is not cold enough. turn it UP0 -
quote:turn it UP
UP??? As in "warmer?" It is turned toward "cold" as far as it will go.
The unit is about 8 years old, not old for a refrigerator.0 -
commpressor shot or it is low on the new freon stuff. 0 -
[8D]-Yo Sir Nunn--I've had KENMORE (Sears) for decades and if your's is only 8 yrs old I doubt if the coolant is leaking and the circulation sys is probably OK because the rest works OK--
--What I've found with my fridges -is the older Sears fridge "influx" of sub temp air was at the back-behind a galvanized plate, the newer ones vent at the TOP back--
--The reason is, that to many people BLOCK the back circ sys with Ice/Meat/frozen foods etc:
--Check out the back of your fridge and see that you don't have the vent sys blocked--
--GOOD LUCK--JIMBO0 -
Figure $60-70 a hour labor and a $20-30 travel charge for a serviceman to show.
T-stat $20-$60
Compressor $109-$250
Freon $8-$25 a pound non R12
Based on DFW pricing.
Even if its just low on freon, got a leak somewhere, your looking at $105, at the basic charge to repair.
From you description you have done all you can do.
And it sounds like a leak=low freon and or the t-stat is not sensing.
If all goes to hell, once the gas pressure is taken, and the compressor took a dive.
Your better off considering another refrigerator.
If the refrigerator's cost and or replacement are under $250-$300.
Your just about better off to get a new cheap one.
Then at least you have some warranty and the newer units typically use less electicity.
Nothing worse than a warm Budwiser.0 -
Had a similar sounding problem with a new (2 years old now) refigerator from Sears. Our problem was that the coils were freezing up in the freezer compartment. It turned out to be a bad thermostat. It was replaced 3 times under warranty, and finally they put in a thermostat that defrosted to a higher temp before it shut off. The original thermostat just wasn't defrosting long enough, so the coils were staying frozen. Good luck. 0 -
Is the fan motor running up in the freezer? Could be food is pushed up against it and the fan is not running. 0 -
Fans work. No ducting is blocked. 0 -
As stated it is a freon leak or thermostat. Would have been a easy fix if it were the motor. I had one do the same thing about a year ago. I took out the fan motor as a spare and junked it out. However I don't know how Texas is on throwing away Refrig's. SC now makes a licensed A/C person evacuate the freon before you can take it to the dump. I have found out it is more easy to have them pick up the old refrig and take it away for nothing. It actually makes delivery free. Old refrig's are a pain. 0 -
I agree. Either low on refrigerant or it's the freezer thermostat. Sounds like the refrigerator side thermostat is acting up too, and I doubt it is low on refrigerant. 0 -
clean the door seal and check with a piece of paper,place a sheet of copy paper in the door and close it pull the paper out if it comes out easy this is not good. A good seal should hold that paper pretty
strongly in place.0 -
Move it to the garage for beer and ice, buy Dawnie a new one.
[:D]
Don0 -
your biggest problem is that it is a sears product.I purchased all new appliances from sears(fridge,dishwasher,washing machine,dryer and vacumn cleaner)about 6 years ago all have had to be replaced.they were all kenmore. 0 -
nunn , i have a friend who does refridgeration for a living told me , most times it is iced up . it also the cheapest fix ,you can do yourself .empty the fridge of perisables and unplug for 24 hours . let it reach room temps . put your goodies in a cooler and place outside , i am assuming you live in the us and its cold where you are as is in most of the country (global warming ...)
after the 24 hours plug it in again to check funtion .it usually works .
wrench0 -
If the unit was low on refrigerant then the refrigerated areas beyond the freezer would also not be staying as cool as it should be.
I would tend to think it is a control side issue.
Fwiw i bought a Kenmore back in 1977 that died as a result of last years Hurricane Rita's power surges.[:(]
What a well made unit that thing was!!
I miss it dearly.0 -
Don't you like soft icesream?[:D] 0
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