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Posted on Jan 30, 2009
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Auto Defrost not working, replaced thermostat and heater.

I have a frigidaire side by side model number FRS6LR5EM8 purchased November 2006. The freezer was not getting cold enough, pulled off interior panel and noticed a lot of frost around the coils, looks like a radiator. I since replaced the thermostat and heater to hopefully fix the auto defrost. It is freezing right back up at the top of the coils. It is a coil line that is about 3/8 inch is diameter runs through some black putty packet that connects to a small copper wire that has frost on it also. The line runs back to the back of the freezer. I am not going there without any further instructions from a pro. Compressor, freon, timer/control board. Help my food is going bad.

  • michael387 Jan 30, 2009

    I thermostat that I replaced was the defrost stat. I guess there is more than one stat. Is the timer located on a circuit board or is it a separate part? How about freon and or the compressor?

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  • Refrigerators Master 19,396 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 31, 2009
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The auto defrost (evaporation system) has a solenoid that start fan, check if the fan starts , if not replace evap system.

You find replacements and schematics here.

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  • Master 2,994 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 31, 2009
David Shaub
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Turn the defrost timer one full turn using a flat blade screwdriver. Also, take the skin off the indside where you saw the tubes going into the coils. Where the tubes go through the cabinet, look for air holes. If a mouse got up inside, or the putty came loose, you will be sucking room air into the coils and it will make it ice over and you won't get proper cooling.

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  • Master 410 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 31, 2009
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I have a few questions. the frost build up you see is it very heavy or light? does the frost completely cover the evaporator coil? have temps ever returned to normal since you replaced the defrost thermostat?
If you can answer these for me I think I can give you a solution or at least a diagnosis. thanks peyton

  • Anonymous Jan 31, 2009

    Just curious, were you able to resolve your problem? Thx Peyton

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  • Master 2,559 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 30, 2009
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It's 1 of 5 things

  1. Defrost timer
  2. Defrost Element
  3. Defrost thermostat
  4. Dirty condenser coil
  5. Bad condenser fan
And to clear up a few things up.
It has nothing

  1. The expansion tube is for the expansion of refrigerant,from a liquid state to a gas state. (It doesn't control how much of anything goes anywhere)
  2. Freon is a brand name for a product made by Dupont.(And you may not have that brand if your refridgerator)
  3. If you replace or repair anything not on the list above,you will continue to have the same problem

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  • Expert 118 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 30, 2009
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I had the exact same problem with my Whirlpool. On the inside of the fridge is a fan at the top of it, what you need to do is get someone to repair the fan in it which blows out the cool air to keep it cool. Just ask around about it and talk about the fan, they'll know.

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  • Master 2,920 Answers
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You are losing freon somewhere.when you get frost on the coils it means you have a freon leak somewhere i would suggest calling a repairman but im not sure they can repair it

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  • Expert 199 Answers
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They r two seprate parts.timer and thermostat are two seperate parts.

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  • Expert 141 Answers
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The small line that runs to the rear goes the the expansion valve-this tells the expansion valve how much freon to push through. However I do not think this is your problem. Simply enough I believe you have a bad door seal. This is allowing humidity into the freezer and thus causing the freeze up. Auto defrost will not be able to keep up with a bad seal.

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  • Posted on Jan 30, 2009
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Defrost timer - this is a timer motor controlled device, it will shut the fridge off and put the fridge into the defrost mode at a pre-determined time depending on make and manufactures. The timer also makes the fridge come back out of defrost and puts normal running back on. Defrost thermostat - this allows the defrost heater to heat up to a certain temp and then shuts the defrost heater back off.
The defrost thermostat can be found in the evaporator coils. This is a bimetal switch used to open the electric circuit to the defrost heater once a set temperature is reached. The defrost cycle will continue until the timer advances into the cooling cycle, however the heater will no longer be energized. This thermostat will reset to a closed position once a set colder temperature is again reached. May also be called a defrost limit switch.
The defrost heater - this is a electric heater imbedded in the evaporator coils, the heater melts the frost and changes the frost to water.
Defrost drain - the drain is suppose to carry the water that has been melted by the defrost heater away from the inside of the fridge to thecondensing tray ( the condensing tray is usually found under the bottom of the fridge ), a pan-shaped panel used to collect condensate from the evaporator during a defrost cycle. It is usually located above a condenser coil or atop the compressor. May also be called condensate water pan.
Drain trough - A trough-shaped panel used to funnel defrost condensate, from the evaporator coil, to the drain tube leading eventually to the drain pan.
When the refrigerator is running ( cooling mode ) the defrost timer contacts prevents any power from getting to the defrost heater. When the defrost timer turns off the power to the compressor and fan motor(s) the power is then redirected to the defrost system. The defrost timer motor

Defrost thermostat:
During a defrost cycle, the defrost heater causes the metal alloy in the switch to warm and as it does it curls back and breaks the circuit. As the metal cools, it makes a closed circuit again. A defective thermostat can prevent the defrost heater from coming on or allow it to overheat which could result in heat damage or fire.
The defrost thermostat is located near the defrost heater and is wired in series. It is usually located at the back of a side by side freezer, behind the freezer back wall of a top freezer or under the floor. It will be necessary to remove obstructions such as the contents of the freezer, freezer shelves, icemaker and the inside rear or bottom panel of the freezer. At room temperature the defrost thermostat is an open circuit ( no continuity ) and when cooled down the defrost thermostat closes the circuit ( has full continuity ) to allow the defrost heater to come on.

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  • Posted on Jan 30, 2009
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Hi!

Is your condenser fan running...if not give it a spin and check it to see if it will turn... you will need a new fan motor...let me know

  • Anonymous Jan 30, 2009

    Your defrost is on a timer and every so often it clicks and sends electricity to defrost heater and activates. It shuts everything else down. Manually advance the timer with small screwdriver to see if it activates. If not your timer is bad. Another way to tell is to put a mark on your timer and then come back later and see if it has moved.

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  • Master 11,896 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 30, 2009
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The defrost timer in your fridge is located under the bottom front panel. It will need to be replaced. I will give you further instructions as soon as I find your full repair manual

  • 2 more comments 
  • Anonymous Jan 30, 2009

    First thought while looking at the manual. Did you turn deep freeze off?
    EXTREME To freeze food at a faster rate to preserve freshness, push the Touch Pad for 3-5 seconds to
    FREEZE activate this feature. A green light will appear above the Touch Pad. Push the Touch Pad again
    for 3-5 seconds to deactivate.

    page 17 of this manual has a picture of your fridge/freezer guts and parts.

    ftp://ftp.electrolux-na.com/ProdInfo_PDF/Anderson/241695301en.pdf


  • Anonymous Jan 30, 2009

    Cold Control & Automatic Defrost Control

    Either the timer or the control board will have to be replaced.


  • Anonymous Jan 30, 2009

    If you had bad freon or compressor, your fridge would NOT get cold at all. The problem is the defrost timer. You can find where it is located at the link posted. It has all illustrations of your fridge and it's part locations.

  • Anonymous Jan 30, 2009

    THIS SITE ALSO GIVES YOU TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE AND TESTING PROCEDURES

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  • Master 1,214 Answers
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It's probably the defrost timer, based on what you have replaced so far. It could be the defrost stat, which was the small knob like thing attached to the evaporator coil with the two wires coming out of it.

Reply back how you would like to proceed, and I will help you.

  • Anonymous Jan 30, 2009

    Don't even think about compressor, or more importantly freon! 98% of refrigerator problems are electrical and NOT refrigerant issues.

    If you replaced the defrost timer, did you check the defrost thermostat? It is embedded in the evaporator along with the defrost temperature sensor. Either one of those could be bad.

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0helpful
1answer

My Frigidaire FV245 freezer is frosted up and not auto defrosting as it should, how can I defrost it please?

Hello Patricia;

My name is Peter. I am a retired field service refrigeration technician.

The number your provided is probably the freezer manual number, which is general for several different models.

I assume your have a upright freezer. The model number is on a label on the left hand side wall.

OK, you can unplug your freezer for 24 hours and clean up with a lot of towels to defrost.

But, I do not think you want to do that. You want to solve the problem.

1.) Frozen Drain - Every 8-10 hours your freezer goes through a defrost cycle where everything shuts down except for the light. When this happens your defrost heater turns on for 20-30 minutes to defrost your cooling coil. If you have a frozen drain, the condensate builds up a wall of ice behind the lower back panel.

Fix: Remove the lower back panel. It is held on with about 10 screws. Pull the side rubber molding out. This molding is easily removed. With a hair dryer defrost the cooling coil. This may take several hours. DO NOT USE ANY METAL TOOLS. YOU MAY DAMAGE THE COOLING COIL. Note: Your defrost heater can not handle the block of ice.

2.) Bad Defrost Timer - In the back of your freezer lower left hand side you have a defrost timer. You will see a small metal plate with a hole through it. There is a stem. Insert a flat head screw drive in the slot of the stem. Slowly turn clockwise one click at a time until your freezer turn off, except for the light.

3.) Bad Defrost Heater - Having tripped the freezer into the defrost model, observe the defrost heater. This is either a metal or glass bar under your cooling coil. Is it glowing hot? If not you have a bad defrost heater. This component is about $35.00 USD and easily replaced.

If it is glowing hot then you have a bad defrost timer. The defrost timer is easily replace and about $30.00 USD.



25486840-dv44kewhg2gg1bqlwgzynqhz-2-0.jpg
Defrost Timer. Note the stem on the left.

You could have a bad evaporator motor or Bi-metl (Thermostat).

But I think the above is where your problem lies Let me know how you make out. Send me your model number and I will give you the component part number and cost.
0helpful
1answer

How to replace defrost timer

There is not a defrost timer on a model PSC23NGN. If your model is the=> PSC23NGN and the refrigerator is not defrosting the problem is most likely the Defrost Heater and Defrost Thermostat that need replaced. The heater is item location 230 and the defrost thermostat is item location 240 in this photo=> HERE
The part numbers for the Defrost Heater are WR51X10055 Defrost Heater Assembly The part number for the Defrost Thermostat WR50X10028 Defrost Thermostat
I am here if you have questions, Thanks John Tripp
Appliance 911
Contact me here.
1helpful
1answer

Fridge working but freezer not

I believe what is happening is your freezer is not defrosting properly and your auto damper is opening just enough to keep the temperatures safe on the fresh food side. look into freezer and the rear wall. Is frost building up on the rear wall? If ye then this is a defrost issue and you will need to unplug and manually defrost with a hair dryer. Don't be afraid to remove the rear panel in freezer so you can see just what happens when defrost is not taking place. I think it is possible that you have a model LSD2615HEW but you will need to confirm before asking for parts. Inside the fresh food compartment and behind the control panel the model LSD2615HEW for example only has a Click Here=> 12002495 Adaptive Defrost Control Board I say example only because I had to assume your model number. This board is the most likely reason for this problem. Sometimes you may see burn marks on one side of board but not always. Click Here for location=> LSD2615HEW Controls and part 12 in photo is the ADC or 12002495 Adaptive Defrost Control Board The only other cause will; be a defective defrost heater or defrost thermostat. The defrost heater is=> 67004188 Defrost Heater Assembly testing of the defrost heater is also in a short tutorial on this same page. Then finally it is always a good idea to replace the defrost thermostat while inside replacing the defrost heater if need. Part number for the defrost thermostat is=> 67004757 Defrost Thermostat and can be found here=> LSD2615HEW Freezer Components If you have any questions I will be here to answer them for you, If helpful please rate this solution, Thank You, Sea Breeze

3helpful
3answers

My Fridge started getting war and the freezer part was real cool i unplugged it for a day plugged it back up and it started working 2 days later it stopped again this time i took panel off the back and...

  • Well I can say one of the components responsible for defrost has failed -defrost timer, defrost heater or the defrost thermostat.

  • Unplug the refrigerator and pull the back wall off of the freezer.
  • Now unplug the defrost and the thermostat.
  • Get your Ohm meter out and test for continuity across the heater and the thermostat.
  • No continuity on the thermostat means that needs replaced and the same for the heater.
  • If both of them parts test out OK then you need to replace the Defrost Timer.





  • One of them is bad guaranteed. You want to make sure that there is some fresh ice build up too after cleaning it all off. This insures that which ever component that might be bad is verified messing up again per the ice. Then do the testing.


  • Thank you for using FixYa.

Regards, Tony
0helpful
2answers

What if both sides of the refrigerator is not getting cold?And the back of the freezer side has frost.

Defrost problem. Either the defrost thermostat, defrost heater or defrost control board needs replacement. The defrost heater has to have continuity. The defrost thermostat has to have about 0 Ohms while it's cold. If both test out ok - replace defrost control board.
Part locations: Defrost heater and thermostat: under your frosted cover; control board - left upper corner of fresh food section, under the damper cover, in the middle.
Part numbers:
240554502 - control board
5303918255 - defrost heater kit
Can't find the part number for the defrost thermostat
0helpful
1answer

My fridge is not keeping anything cool

The fridge gets its cold air from the freezer through a vent(damper)between the freezer and fridge.The fan in the freezer blows air throughit. There is a flap you adjust with thefridge temp. control. Make sure it's opening and closing when you adjust thefridge temp ..
If the evaporator coils behind the back panel of the freezerare icing up because of auto defrost failure that will stop the circulation ofcold air and eventually affect the freezer too.

check defrost timer, defrost heater, defrost thermostat. Inmost newer models the timer has been replaced by an electronic control board.If the heater and thermostat are ok it’ll be the control.

You can turn the defrost timer till it clicksand everything shuts down. The heater should now come on. If it does, replacethe timer. If it doesn't, check the heater and defrost thermostat. Turn thetimer again till everything starts back up to end the defrost cycle.

How to checkeverything
http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/appliance/refrigerator/refrigerator.php

1helpful
1answer

My kennmore side by side,model number is59653462302

Your refrigerator has an Adaptive Defrost control board located inside the fresh food compartment and behind the control panel where you adjust temperature. This is the most likely reason for your troubles the part number is 12002495 The next most likely reason is the defrost heater part number 12049801 and the defrost thermostat part number is 67003377 But replacing the ADC is the main problem for your refrigerator and should be checked and replaced. Checking the defrost heater and defrost thermostat would be a good idea too, Thanks, Sea Breeze

0helpful
1answer

EVERYTHING WORKS FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND THEN THE FREEZER HAS A BLOCK OF ICE ANT THE BACK AND THE BOTTOM BECOMES WARM

How to check everything
http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/appliance/refrigerator/refrigerator.php


If the evaporator coils behind the back panel of the freezer are icing up because of auto defrost failure that will stop the circulation of cold air and eventually affect the freezer too.

check defrost timer, defrost heater, defrost thermostat. In most newer models the timer has been replaced by an electronic control board. If the heater and thermostat are ok it’ll be the control.

You can turn the defrost timer till it clicks and everything shuts down. The heater should now come on. If it does, replace the timer. If it doesn't, check the heater and defrost thermostat. Turn the timer again till everything starts back up to end the defrost cycle.


0helpful
1answer

My frigidaire FFU20FC6AW7 is not freezing. sides are cool to the touch and they are normally hot. cold air blowing out about 40 degrees.

If the evaporator coils behind the back panel of the freezer are icing up because of auto defrost failure that will stop the circulation of cold air and eventually affect the freezer too.

check defrost timer, defrost heater, defrost thermostat. In most newer models the timer has been replaced by an electronic control board. If the heater and thermostat are ok it’ll be the control.
How to check stuff>
http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/appliance/refrigerator/refrigerator.php

0helpful
1answer

Frigidaire Model number frs26znh defrost not working?

The defrost systems is:
218169802 HEATER-DEFROST
5303917954 THERMOSTAT-DEFROST
5303917954 TIMER-DEFROST

Start with the timer. It is just under the front kick plate. there is a knob you can turn it slowly.until it clicks off the compressor. then open the freezer and listen . You should hear the heater come on .. it will sizzle when it comes on ...

You will have to remove the back panel of the freezer to check the heater for and thermostat for continuity. Heater are the lease likely part to go bad... I always change thermostat and timers together.

let me know if this helps or we can chat if you need more help.
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