Just bought a used GE chest freezer model FH5DSAWH from friends. Brought it home plugged it in and it doesn't get cold. Can hear it running and the compressor gets hot. Any ideas? Was told it worked great. When we plug in You can hear it start and when you turn knob off you can hear it turn off. Left on for 4 hours on no cooling. Temp actually got warmer? Thank You.

Great question but I cannot answer it. GE makes several models of chest freezers and they are not all wired the same. My eyesight is not to good and I cannot see your freezer so I cannot answer your question. You might try our friend google and look for the make and model of your freezer with the prefix schematic.

When you say "cleaned", did you defrost it? And. if so, could you have damaged the internal lining? Often the coil inside the wall of a chest freezer can fracture if hit or stabbed at during defrosting.
Other than that, is the compressor running (you would hear it)? it may have overheated. If not running, see if it feels hot (siezed) or cold (no power from thermostat). If cold, put it on fast freeze and see if it kicks into life (thermostat faulty) or not (compressor fault, time for a new freezer!)
Let me know how you get on!

If it doesn't get cold at all, then your compressor is not running. Which could be the start relay or start capacitor or even the compressor. The relay and capacitor are not that expensive and pretty easy to replace, but if it is the compressor then you might not want to put that much money into an older unit.

If it is running but not cooling enough the problem is in the sealed system.

If you started it up just after hauling it home it may have be moved around enough to get oil in the systems smaller tubing causing problems. Unplug the unit for 24 hours and let it sit. Try it again for 24 hours and see if it cools.

If not this means either there is a refrigerant (freon) leak in the system or a restriction causing the refrigerant to not flow properly.

Either one are an expensive repair. and will require a professional to look at.

To determine which component has failed please do the following.

Unplug the freezer wait 5 minutes and plug back in. Listen closely for any sounds by the compressor. If you hear a click or hum followed by a click the problem is the compressor and would cost about $400.00 to repair.

If you do not hear any sounds the problem is most likely the cold control or sometimes called the thermostat. The part number is WR09X10053 and is about $25.00

Good day,
You didn't say if it runs. The machine when it does run is still very quiet. With it on, if you can hear it running. You may have to put your ear up to the machine. If so, then in the move you caused a refrigerant leak. The leak could be anywhere in the machine including areas that cannot be reached.
If however, they are lines that run on the outside of the machine, they can be repaired by a qualified tech, but the repair would be pricey.

If it is not running, I would check around the compressor area for a wire that was knocked off.

Please see attached link for more info, but it appears as though your model has both an internal and external drain plug. Hope this helps

http://www.youserguide.com/wiki/Electrolux_216657700en-007

Sadly these old freezers use way too much electricity. You will be better off junking this one and purchasing a good used or brand new one.

the noise your hearing indicates the possibility of a bad start relay on the comp or possibly it just came loose during the move. on the side of the compressor you will see 2-3 wires running into an electrical connection reseat this first. if still no operation replace teh relay. you can purchase thru any reputable appliance parts dealer. after replacing the relay if you have no operation then likely problem is seized comp.
domestic freezers do not have low pressure switches that indicate low freon charge.

I am having the same problem. How long did it take?
I bought mine second hand and think it may be broken. I plugged it in 8 hours ago. I can hear it running but it's not cold yet.