refrigerator/freezer not cooling

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We have a whirpool refrigerator/freezer that is approx. 12 yrs old (got it from my grandmother after her death). The temp in the freezer has risen from 0 to 20 degrees and the refrigerator section is also warmer. I also noticed there is a layer of frost on the back wall of the freezer section (it is frost free model). I have tried vacuuming off all the coils under the unit. I also tried unplugging the refrigerator for 15 minutes and then plugging it back in (an appliance repairman suggested this). No luck. Any other suggestions before I pay big bucks for a service call? Thanks.....

-- connie in NM (karrelandconnie@gateway.net), September 10, 2000

Answers

IMHO. a service call would net you half the cost of a new freezer. I saw them some time back for 299.00 in Sears. I fiqure at least a hundred and fifty to add refrigerant to yours. I could be wrong, Good Luck though !

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), September 10, 2000.

Connie! From what you described it appears to be low on freon. If it has the condensing coil at the bottom with a fan behind it, you might check and make sure the coils are clean and the fan is operating. If it hasn't those the I hate to tell you it's probably junk. Leaks develope when the cooling coils have a hole to rust in it. Those coils are wound around the box-inside the sides, and carry the "cool" to the entire box. The lines are made of steel and with insulation of the polyutherene surrounding them, they tend to rust. Too expensive to replace the lines and the mfg. knows that. They have'm to sell. I'm afraid you'll have to bite the bullet and replace it. Matt. 24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), September 10, 2000.

the same thing happened to my refrigerator when it was 4 years old ( just out of warranty) being a frost free unitk, it has a heating unit, wires, that come on and heat up and thaw out the ice buildup. the repair man came out, removed the inside back wall of the freezer, and i was shocked that it was a solid thick sheet of ice from floor to ceiling. he had to replace the heat thermostat and sensor and then it worked fine. was nothing at all wrong with the refrigerant portion of the system. thats how frost free refrigerators and freezers work, they have to cycle on a heating unit and melt the ice/frost buildup.

gene

-- gene ward (GWARD34847@AOL.COM), September 10, 2000.


I have never seen a refrigerator/freezer model, let alone a name- brand, for as little as $299 new. At least not one bigger than "dorm size".

I would like to hear more about alternative energy new appliances....anyone buy a natural gas refrigerator/freezer?

My electric Kenmore is 11 years in my possession, and was 4 years in the prior owners' possession. At this 15 year mark I am looking for a new one for prevention's sake. Any brand/ vendor recommendations would be welcome.

-- Anne (HT@HM.com), September 10, 2000.


Anne:

A cheap source of ranges and chest freezers is estate auctions. However, only consider if they are plugged in and everything works. Washers, dryers and refrigerators sell higher since they are most in demand. Even here, late model ones still sell for less than half of the cost of new. You can rent a dolly at U-Haul.

I buy only for resale and a rule of thumb locally is retail of $125 for any of the five above, limited warranty. Warranty is if it doesn't work when you take it home, you can bring it back within a day. After that, no warranty.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), September 11, 2000.



Also check the drain on your freezer unit. When ours got clogged, the water from the defrost cycle couldn't drain away. It collected in the recess for the fan and froze the fan in place so it couldn't turn. After one service call (one expensive service call!), we learned to dismantle the floor of the freezer unit and thaw it ourselves, and have repeated the process about 3 times since we have had this 'frig. We bought it new for our first home about 6 months after we were married and it's been running smoothly for nearly 26 years. I pet it and brag on it occasionally (joke), keep the coils vacuumed out and such but we have a back up second hand 'frig in the basement should it quit completely.

-- marilyn (rainbow@ktis.net), September 11, 2000.

connie there a small motor that runs a timer to make it go thru the cycles. sounds like the motor quit in the freez mode. motor will cost about 20.00 bucks and not hard to put on should be down by the unit some where. dont forget to let all the built up ice melt out before you turn it back on. hope this fixs it for you. Bob in s.e. ks.

-- Bob Condry (bobco@hit.net), September 11, 2000.

I had to go to Sears today so I checked freezers. Dorm size was 89.00 and a 29 cubic foot was 599.00. The size I like, 21 cubic foot (holds one half size and a lot of frozen veggies) was 259.00. I guess price depends on where you live. In Virginia, these are our prices, although the 259.00 model was a demo floor unit with a closeout tag.

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), September 12, 2000.

Bob, you were exactly right. I had the appliance repairman out yesterday and he replaced this switch. The switch cost $17.50 and the service call was $45.00. Painful, but cheaper that a new refrigerator. Thanks for everyones input.

-- connie in NM (karrelandconnie@gateway.net), September 12, 2000.

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