Attention Handy Men: Refrigerator Problems

The Rick · 02-28-2007, 09:54 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

**Guru** · 02-28-2007, 10:03 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, 10:05 PM

Frazod has a gun you could borrow.

**Bugeater** · 02-28-2007, 10:07 PM

Sounds like it needs a bowl of antifreeze.

**Phobia** · 02-28-2007, 10:08 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.

**Skip Towne** · 02-28-2007, 10:09 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.

SPchief · 02-28-2007, 10:09 PM

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

Caseykid · 02-28-2007, 10:15 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, 10:16 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.

**Guru** · 02-28-2007, 10:17 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, 10:19 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.

**Bugeater** · 02-28-2007, 10:23 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.

The Rick · 02-28-2007, 10:24 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...

**Guru** · 02-28-2007, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Rick

It's a Frigidaire...

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

Caseykid · 02-28-2007, 10:31 PM

The main reason I would believe it is a freezing/defrost problem is because you said that the water would not come out. That suggests that the unit is freezing up and not that the compressor is not working. You probably need to get it up and running quickly so this suggestion probably can't be done, but if you could unplug and clear the frig and leave it open for 24 hours or so, if it was frozen up, you should see alot of water in the drain pan and you should also be able to plug it in and get water and hear the compressor kick on.

02-28-2007, 09:54 PM
The Rick Veteran Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Milwaukee, WI Casino cash: $46824	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: 2,183

02-28-2007, 10:03 PM	#2
Guru This better work Clark!!! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Middle of the USA Casino cash: $55084938	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. __________________ Same as it ever was.
Posts: 48,081

02-28-2007, 10:05 PM	#3
KCFalcon59 Supporter Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Topeka, Kansas Casino cash: $10083497	Frazod has a gun you could borrow.
Posts: 5,585

02-28-2007, 10:07 PM	#4
Bugeater Supporter Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $601922	Sounds like it needs a bowl of antifreeze.
Posts: 49,366

02-28-2007, 10:08 PM	#5
Phobia Together is Powerful Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $2115226998	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: 52,628

02-28-2007, 10:09 PM	#6
Skip Towne Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: T-Town Casino cash: $1109186	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: 69,691

02-28-2007, 10:09 PM	#7
SPchief MVP Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Wherever the Fock i am Casino cash: $10478731	Just shoot the thing and get it out of its misery. __________________
Posts: 26,848

02-28-2007, 10:15 PM	#8
Caseykid Starter Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Oklahoma City,Oklahoma Casino cash: $8436	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: 72

02-28-2007, 10:16 PM	#9
The Rick Veteran Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Milwaukee, WI Casino cash: $46824	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: 2,183

02-28-2007, 10:17 PM	#10
Guru This better work Clark!!! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Middle of the USA Casino cash: $55084938	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. __________________ Same as it ever was.
Posts: 48,081

02-28-2007, 10:31 PM	#15
Caseykid Starter Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Oklahoma City,Oklahoma Casino cash: $8436	The main reason I would believe it is a freezing/defrost problem is because you said that the water would not come out. That suggests that the unit is freezing up and not that the compressor is not working. You probably need to get it up and running quickly so this suggestion probably can't be done, but if you could unplug and clear the frig and leave it open for 24 hours or so, if it was frozen up, you should see alot of water in the drain pan and you should also be able to plug it in and get water and hear the compressor kick on.
Posts: 72

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