Attention Handy Men: Refrigerator Problems

The Rick · 02-28-2007, 10:54 PM

Need some "handy man" advice...

Came home tonight and tried to get some water out of the refrigerator, but nothing came out. Started looking in the refrigerator and the freezer (it's a side-by-side) and found that things at the top of both the refrigerator and the freezer were warm/thawing, and things at the bottom of both the refrigerator and the freezer were frozen.

The water line comes in to the bottom. I see the water line that feeds the water dispenser goes up the back of the refrigerator.

My guess is that something is frozen up underneath at the bottom.

Right now, my plan is to leave it unplugged for a while (overnight?) and see if that resolves the issue.

That is, unless one of you handy men have a better idea for me...

Rick

**007** · 02-28-2007, 11:03 PM

Sounds like either your compressor is dead or the switch that turns the compressor on and off is broken.

Get a service person out as soon as possible and leave it unplugged until they get there.

KCFalcon59 · 02-28-2007, 11:05 PM

Frazod has a gun you could borrow.

**Skip Towne** · 02-28-2007, 11:09 PM

There should be little fan someplace in the system. If that fan motor burns up the system freezes up and quits working. See if you can find a non functioning fan. They are really small fans.

**Bugeater** · 02-28-2007, 11:07 PM

Sounds like it needs a bowl of antifreeze.

02-28-2007, 11:08 PM

My guess is compressor, especially if the symptoms include the temps rising overnight. But I'm unsure. I'm not much of a fridge guy.

You should hope it's not a compressor.

SPchief · 02-28-2007, 11:09 PM

Just shoot the thing and get it out of its misery.

Caseykid · 02-28-2007, 11:15 PM

It sounds like it is not defrosting properly. Usually the freezer will become blocked by ice in the coil area and then the air can't flow freely in either the refrigerator or freezer. It could be a heating element, defrost thermostat, or a defrost timer. I had a similar problem and replaced the timer. It's working well. If you're handy there are web sites you can order the parts from, but probably your best bet is to call a repairman unfortunately.

The Rick · 02-28-2007, 11:16 PM

We purchased the thing brand new in November of 2004 so it's barely over 2 years old. I'm hoping it's still under warranty. If not, it better not be the compressor or something expensive like that.

**Bugeater** · 02-28-2007, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Rick

We purchased the thing brand new in November of 2004 so it's barely over 2 years old. I'm hoping it's still under warranty. If not, it better not be the compressor or something expensive like that.

Good lord, what brand is it? I'm going to have to replace mine soon and I'd like to know what not to buy.

The Rick · 02-28-2007, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Good lord, what brand is it? I'm going to have to replace mine soon and I'd like to know what not to buy.

It's a Frigidaire...

**007** · 02-28-2007, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Rick

It's a Frigidaire...

Oh MAN!!!! Never buy the F brand.

**007** · 02-28-2007, 11:17 PM

ONe other thing you can try is to vaccuum out the coils under the unit. They can get so covered in dust that it could cause your problem. I still think it is the switch for your compressor though.

I had the EXACT same problem happen to mine about 6 months ago. Called the service guy and it was up and running in 15 mins. Cost me $92 but saved me $1000 for a new unit.

**Bugeater** · 02-28-2007, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guru

ONe other thing you can try is to vaccuum out the coils under the unit. They can get so covered in dust that it could cause your problem.

That's very likely, especially on models that have the coils underneath. If they haven't been cleaned in two years they could be fairly dirty, even more so if you have pets.

Skip could be onto something with the fan, I've heard of ice building up around those to the point they won't turn.

**Skip Towne** · 02-28-2007, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

That's very likely, especially on models that have the coils underneath. If they haven't been cleaned in two years they could be fairly dirty, even more so if you have pets.

Skip could be onto something with the fan, I've heard of ice building up around those to the point they won't turn.

I've had it happen.

02-28-2007, 10:54 PM	Topic Starter
The Rick Veteran Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Milwaukee, WI Casino cash: $7601320	Attention Handy Men: Refrigerator Problems Need some "handy man" advice... Came home tonight and tried to get some water out of the refrigerator, but nothing came out. Started looking in the refrigerator and the freezer (it's a side-by-side) and found that things at the top of both the refrigerator and the freezer were warm/thawing, and things at the bottom of both the refrigerator and the freezer were frozen. The water line comes in to the bottom. I see the water line that feeds the water dispenser goes up the back of the refrigerator. My guess is that something is frozen up underneath at the bottom. Right now, my plan is to leave it unplugged for a while (overnight?) and see if that resolves the issue. That is, unless one of you handy men have a better idea for me... Rick
Posts: 2,438

02-28-2007, 11:03 PM	#2
007 Shaken. Not stirred. Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Casino cash: $14060126 VARSITY	Sounds like either your compressor is dead or the switch that turns the compressor on and off is broken. Get a service person out as soon as possible and leave it unplugged until they get there. __________________ My dear girl, there are some things that just aren’t done. Such as, drinking Dom Perignon ’53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s just as bad as listening to the Beatles without earmuffs.
Posts: 65,554

02-28-2007, 11:05 PM	#3
KCFalcon59 MVP Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Topeka, Kansas Casino cash: $910000	Frazod has a gun you could borrow.
Posts: 6,762

02-28-2007, 11:09 PM	#4
Skip Towne Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: T-Town Casino cash: $10004900	There should be little fan someplace in the system. If that fan motor burns up the system freezes up and quits working. See if you can find a non functioning fan. They are really small fans.
Posts: 69,689

02-28-2007, 11:07 PM	#5
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6252680	Sounds like it needs a bowl of antifreeze.
Posts: 70,443

02-28-2007, 11:08 PM	#6
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	My guess is compressor, especially if the symptoms include the temps rising overnight. But I'm unsure. I'm not much of a fridge guy. You should hope it's not a compressor.
Posts: n/a

02-28-2007, 11:09 PM	#7
SPchief In Search of a Life Join Date: Feb 2004 Casino cash: $1862905	Just shoot the thing and get it out of its misery. __________________ http://give.somo.org/site/TR/Plunge/...nal&fr_id=1244 ^^^^^^^^^^ Click here to help with a special cause. Please help me out
Posts: 36,007

02-28-2007, 11:15 PM	#8
Caseykid Starter Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Oklahoma City,Oklahoma Casino cash: $10004905	It sounds like it is not defrosting properly. Usually the freezer will become blocked by ice in the coil area and then the air can't flow freely in either the refrigerator or freezer. It could be a heating element, defrost thermostat, or a defrost timer. I had a similar problem and replaced the timer. It's working well. If you're handy there are web sites you can order the parts from, but probably your best bet is to call a repairman unfortunately.
Posts: 74

02-28-2007, 11:16 PM	#9
The Rick Veteran Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Milwaukee, WI Casino cash: $7601320	We purchased the thing brand new in November of 2004 so it's barely over 2 years old. I'm hoping it's still under warranty. If not, it better not be the compressor or something expensive like that.
Posts: 2,438

02-28-2007, 11:17 PM	#13
007 Shaken. Not stirred. Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Casino cash: $14060126 VARSITY	ONe other thing you can try is to vaccuum out the coils under the unit. They can get so covered in dust that it could cause your problem. I still think it is the switch for your compressor though. I had the EXACT same problem happen to mine about 6 months ago. Called the service guy and it was up and running in 15 mins. Cost me $92 but saved me $1000 for a new unit. __________________ My dear girl, there are some things that just aren’t done. Such as, drinking Dom Perignon ’53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s just as bad as listening to the Beatles without earmuffs.
Posts: 65,554