The fridge is less then 2 years old. About 1-2 months ago it started to get warm in the freezer and fridge. I called a guy and he pulled the panel in the freezer to get to the thermostat and it was covered in ice. So, he defrosted the coils and thermostat.
Now, a day later the freezer runs at about 20 degrees F and the fridge runs at about 55 degrees F. I can hear the fan running and compressor running.
This is a french door with a bottom freezer unit.
thanks,
Vince
he pulled the panel in the freezer to get to the thermostat and it was covered in ice
Were the evaporator coils also covered in heavy frost/ice?
If yes then you have a defrost problem.
How did he defrost the unit?
Did he force a defrost cycle, use a hair dryer or just shut the unit off and wait for it to defrost?
If it was a defrost problem then he was not much of a repairman as he should have diagnosed what caused the unit to not defrost.
OK, So its a week later and there is ice build-up on the rear of my freezer. So, I’m pretty sure the coils are frozen solid again. That makes me think that the freezer isn’t going into defrost mode. I’m mechanically inclined, so what steps should I take to isolate the faulty components and who are my usual suspects. Thanks
Vince
I cannot find any info on the given model number.
Please check it.
There is a unit that is MFI2569VEM1, that is the closest I can find.
The below is for that unit.
http://www.appliancepartspros.com/parts-for-maytag-mfi2569vem1.html
See the attachment for the tech sheet.
Do not let the evaporator coils defrost. The defrost thermostat must be frozen for a the heater to come on.
Force a defrost cycle, see the tech sheet.
The fans and compressor turn off when in defrost.
If the defrost heater comes on the board needs replacing.
Be careful that you do not burn your fingers.
If the heater does not come on unplug the unit.
Measure the defrost heater with a meter, should be around 30 ohms.
Measure the defrost thermostat, should be 0 ohms when frozen. If it is deformed/bulged then replace it even if it measures OK.
If both the above measure OK then probably the board is bad.
the onmly other cause would be a problem in the wiring to the heater/thermostat combo.
I didn’t see your reply until now. I replaced the thermostat a couple weeks ago, and it seemed to fix the problem at first. but now I can see ice starting to build up again on the back wall of the freezer in the area of the thermostat. I am going to try the steps you listed above, thanks
and now…I am pretty sure I have a coolant leak because i can smell it in the fridge. any suggestions?
Check the evaporator coils to see what is happening.
When you have low freon you usually see an uneven frost pattern on the evaporator coils and/or just frost where the freon enters the coils.
Be sure that the compressor has run for at least an hour. If you do the check shortly after or during a defrost cycle you could come to the wrong conclusion.
With low freon the compressor will run all the time except when it is in a defrost cycle.
Low freon is an expensive repair as you need a pro.
Often it make more sense to put the dollars towards a new unit.