GE GBS22HCPAWW - Refrigerator not cooling, but freezer is working

Refrigerator & Freezer Repair
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Hi guys,

I hoped someone could help as I’m suffering from the same issue.

I have a GE GBS22HCPAWW with the freezer on the bottom. I’ve owned this unit for about 5 years. A month ago, when this first started, I was advised to get a new circuit board. I did so for $168, installed it myself and everything seemed fine.

Now a month later, I notice the back wall of the freezer looks completely frozen up and the fridge isn’t cold anymore! I’m not sure how to proceed? I read through this thread (after finding a few others) and assumed I should check the evaporator first? Or should I begin with the fan?

I guess my question is, (due to information overload) in what order should I troubleshoot, based on ease of access as well as saving $$$? I should also mention that though the electronics are not under warranty some of the other parts may be.

I appreciate any help I can get.

Thanks again!

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UPDATE:

I left the refrigerator unplugged for a day and plugged it in, and it seems to be working ok so far. I turned down both the freezer & cooler to 4 (the recommended setting) and after 2 days it seems ok but I suspect after a couple of weeks I’ll be back where I started.

I’ll check the fan this weekend and I guess regardless of the fan, I’ll have to check the thermostat and defrost heater, so I’ll have to borrow a meter from a friend (lend mine to my Dad and he’s on the other side of the state. :slight_smile:

I’ll post my results once I do.

Thanks again,
Danny

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Refer to my coments in the "sticky" above, GE (GS $ PS) models, yours has the same motherboard. Do the manual defrost test.

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Hello richappy,

Did you mean the encoder test you posted on the 4th page? I read through the post and didn’t see "manual defroster test" but perhaps I missed it? I’m a software guy, and unfortunately have trouble with some hardware terms. I really don’t know what an encoder is. :#)

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Sorry about the bad reference, glad you mentioned it. Go to page3, answer to RB47’s defrost problem, should guide you to a fix.

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Ok, I opened the motherboard cover and removed the 4pin connector and then jumped the line and def pins.

Wasn’t sure what to do next? Please feel free to dumb it down, I’m still sorta new at this. :slight_smile:

In the meantime, I did remove the back cover of the freezer and sure enough, the entire wall is frozen over. Is it safe to assume that since it’s consistently frozen all over that it’s prob not a leak?

Also, I can provide pictures if it’ll help any of this process go smoother. I really don’t want to replace that motherboard again after just replacing it about a month ago.

Thanks again.

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Now just plug it in and see if it defrosts.

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Ok, it’s been plugged in for about 2 1/2 hours and much of the ice is gone. Should I just assume it’s because of the defroster or could it also be because the compressor is not running? Should it feel warm somewhere?

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You should have checked the defrost heater when you first plugged it in. You should now let the compressor run for somet time, then repeat the manual defrost test and observe the heater directly, if it’s very hot, your defrost heater and thermostat are ok and your problem is a bad motherboard.

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Ok, I let it freeze up again, then repeated the manual defrost test and the heater is not hot or even warm at all. What do you recommend I try next?

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Seems to be a defrost problem - let freezer thaw out completely and find the defrost timer - use a flathead screwdriver to manually advance defrost timer until it clicks into defrost mode (if still no heat from def. heater element then most likely replacing def element(s), def. thermostat and def. timer will fix your problem)

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I would put a 1000 joule surge protector on the fridg. wall outlet, a power surge may be the problem. Make sure you get a surge protector designed for appliances including refrigerators.

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Could you (or anyone else for that matter) let me know where the timer so I can manually set it to defrost?

Thanks!

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The timer for defrost is designed in the motheboard, no way to force defrost without very expensive equipment. Qtip is in error on this one.

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Ok, so what should I do next? I’m starting to think maybe the vents aren’t all the way open because the fan is blowing pretty hard in the freezer yet I hardly feel anything at all in the refrigerator? Is there anyway I can check to see if they are stuck? and if so, where can I find them?

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First check your evaporator coils for frost/ice jam.

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Ok, I checked but there is only a small amount of frost. Where would I check for an ice jam?

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What is the frost pattern, completely frosted, or partial. If partial, measure the freezer temperature and post.

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completely frosted. In fact, it’s blowing "snow" all over the freezer. It doesn’t normally do that.

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Ok, I replaced the motherboard but it would not manually defrost. I put the old one back on and it won’t manually defrost either. How do I isolate which part of the defrost has the problem?

And just as a side note because I’m trying to understand how it all works, so even though the freezer isn’t frozen over (as it has sometimes been in the past since) because I defrosted it last night with a blow dryer, shouldn’t the refrigerator section be cold and working normal until the icing of the freezer happens? I thought the cold air was supposed to blow up into the refrigerator once the defrosting is complete, but maybe I’m not exactly understanding how it’s all supposed to work. Anyway, thanks again for all your patience and help. At one point I considered maybe getting a new one, but there really is something satisfying about fixing it yourself (with an experts guidance.)