Posted: 10/22/2005 7:25:19 AM EDT
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Do not ever buy a GE refrigerator! My 4yr old side by side isn't cooling very well. I took the cover off of the back and cleaned the cylindrical cage looking thing. It still needs some forced air on it, but did that in any way help? I have a feeling it's time to go to Lowes. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Sort of an update: I put a thermometer in the freezer and got 25 degrees and I got 45 degrees in the refrigerator. I will get a book this week and see what I can figure out. Haven't seen any spiders yet.  Update 10-28-05. Thanks All. The defrost heater was bad. Replaced it. I was going to replace the thermostat, but it required cutting the wires and splicing. I wasn't sure of how to protect the wires in the freezer, any thoughts? I also replaced the dual water inlet thing, so know the ice maker and door water work again. |
| I would go down to a book store and get one of those "fix it" yourself manuals. And then down to Radio Shack for a cheap VOM. I think its the defrost timer could went out, but not sure. If it is a defrost timer, probably cost about $50 to replace. But get the book, I suggest the Reader's Digest one in the blue cover. Excellent pictorials with easy to follow steps. |
| On GE fridges it is almost always a bad heater. they have a thin heating element inclosed in glass. pull the heaters out and look at them, if there is a burnt place inside the glass that is the bad heater. if it has 2 heaters and only 1 is bad you should replace both. |
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warlord "I would go down to a book store and get one of those "fix it" yourself manuals." Yea. Good advice. Years ago my son in law deceided to remove the ice, in the freezer part of his frig., with an ice pick. Wasn't a good outcome. I still get to remind him about that one. TT |
Yeah but bigger and hairyer. Like this:  
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"Been there, done that." My bro-in-law did the same thing years also, but they didn't have a frostless box. He was not a refrig mechanic, and the unknowly parents just told him to chip the ice out with an ice pick, he put a itty, bitty, teeny, tiny hole in the thin copper evaporator and that's all she wrote. |
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I own two Kenmore appliances, a refrigerator and a microwave. The former was built in 1988 and the latter in 1987. Both appliances have chugged along well without any need for a service call. The water line to the ice maker did clog up a bit last year, but has since cleared itself out. I recommend this brand- assuming Kenmore still has the same incredible build quality. Galland |
In the freezer section you said there was ice on the evaporator? Now there are three sets of "curls" of the evaporator coil, Were all three sets frosted up or just one? This can point me in a good direction for you whether its time to give up the ghost or fix it... EDIT: Sorry I reread your post and realized you were talking about you condenser and NOT your evaporator. Check the back wall of the freezer section and see if there is frost or snow on it. And see if the fan by the condenser (What you just cleaned) is working. Awaiting Reply. |
I thinking about going to the Sears outlet and looking at their scratch and dent refrigerators. Doesn't Sears make/sell Kenmore? |
Depends on the source number... Kenmore uses three different manufacturers for their refrigerators. look at the model number and it will tell you. Models that start with 253 are Gibson, Models that start with 106. are Whirlpool, and Models that start with 363. are by GE. |
AHHHH your Frige-Fu is strong! VERY TRUE!!! 
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DrFrige, I see you are in. Where would I find these heaters? And thanks everyone for the help. |
OK take the back cover off IN the freezer section... you will see three sets of curly coils... if they are all frosted up, you will see the heaters under the bottom set of coils and between set #2 and #3. If ONLY the top set of coils are frosted and #'s 2 and 3 are clean (aluminum) chances are you have a sealed system problem and if the unit is UNDER 5 years old, they would still be covered under their Sealed Stystem warranty. Good luck and keep me posted. |
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The fan is working. The back wall of the freezer has light frost on it. I guess I need to take the back of the freezer off and look at the coils? Thanks. Edit: Back of freezer coils are frosted heavy. Edit-II: Have the daughter defrosting the coils the old fashion way-hair dryer. I found the defrost heater also at the bottom of the coils. It's rod shaped with a heavy gauge wire connecting to each end. I will check the ohms on the heater. |
If the unit has glass heaters you will be able to see them if they burned up. PLEASE unplug before checking. If all passes of the evaporator are frosted then something DEFINITELY went on you defrost system. By defrosting it you bought yourself something like 2-3 weeks of refrigeration before it goes south again. DO NOT TOUCH THE GLASS OF THE HEATERS!!! THE OILS IN YOUR HANDS WILL SHORTEN THE LIFE OF THE HEATER!!! I'll Keep monitoring this thread or IM me if you need my help. |
Dude, your name has been on "The List" so many times I had to start the SUPER LIST. So far? You are the ONLY one on it.
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Damn!  and I was trying sooo hard too! Even took it to a new level with the ant pics. 
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Actually kenmore uses 6 different manufacturers, 253-frigidaire, 106-whirlpool, 363-GE, 464-maytag, 596-amana, 795-LG. whirlpool is by far the best manufacturer in my opinion. |
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DrFrige, I'm going to order the heater and thermostat: Heater Thermostat Edit: That heater looks like it might be glass. I really didn't want to work on the refrigerator until after I got these parts. I wonder if I should check the heater(assuming it's glass) tomorrow. It might save me $10 by not having to order the thermostat. Thanks for your help DrFrige. Thanks to everyone for the help. PS, what's with the spiders? |
Shows you how long ago I worked for Sears  Thanks! Im keeping that list!!!
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Im not the one scared of Ants... its Meateater that has the problem with them... Poor guy!
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I fucking HATE spiders with a passion... ever since I was bit by a Black Widow I never found much love for them. so everytime someone gets a chance,, they post a pic of a spider in my threads. BASTARDS!!!! YA HEAR ME 1 SHOTT???? BAAAAAASSSTTTAAARRRDDDSS!!!!!! Spend the extra 10.00 (if you have it) and change the defrost terminator. Or if you can ohm it out (when it is frozen of course) You can also ohm out those heaters. they come in a pack of 2. |
Ya, I heard you ole buddy, I heard ya..... 
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Hear, hear! On that. I've got a Whirlpool box, that has been running continuously for 20 years, and all I do is vacuum out the condenser coils once per year as best as I can, and I cleaned the little drain thingy once in the back because water was accumulating on the bottom. |
Defrost heater was $28. The uninstalled thermostat was $11. The dual water thing was $40. Time for the heater really wouldn't take about 30 minutes once you know what your looking at. The thermostat I would say about one hour. I followed the wires up behind something. I ended up loosening everything in the top of the freezer to get to see that the wires did not end in a connector. The dual water thing took about 20 minutes. |
Thank you both. I think packnru did the right thing, but if I were in the similar position and didn't have the time to work it through myself, I wouldn't mind paying a guy like DrFrige two-and-a-half bills do get in, do it right, and button the thing up. |
Well believe it or not this is a RARE call... You have to remember I service the Rich and Obnoxious! They pay me 120.00 to clean their condenser coils, or to clear the drain line because they hear it "gurgling"... I had one customer and I AM NOT KIDDING pay me 154.00 to change 5 light bulbs in her refrigerator!!! |