20 Most Recent GE GSS25SGPSS Side by Side Refrigerator Questions & Answers

Those units have auto defrost and it appears that the tube going from the evaporator coil to the tray is plugged.

The electronic control board is probably your culprit. These control boards control the compressor, fans and defrost. Look for any burned spots on the printed circuit bout it could be just bad.

Hello,

Let's start by diagnosing the freezer;

Fan problem is one of the most common reasons for the freezer to start failing, this is called "frost free failure." Ice can build up on the evaporator coils over time, and this ice builds up until it starts blocking the fan. The fan is responsible for circulating cold air throughout the freezer, so if it is blocked the freezer will not be able to freeze any food. You can usually check this by removing an access panel in the back of the freezer to inspect the coils. If ice is built up on the coils, a hairdryer can assist in defrosting them.

It's also possible that the fan is not running at all. If the fan is burned out or the motor isn't running, cold air can't circulate through the freezer and everything will melt. You can normally hear the fan motor switch on and off from time to time. Listen for it and if you can't hear it coming on for an extended period of time, the motor may need repair or replacement. The wires connecting to the fan may be the problem, preventing the fan from receiving electricity.

Several other problems could be keeping your freezer from freezing:

There could be leaks in one or several of the hoses in the refrigerator, which results in the cold air being lost instead of circulating properly throughout the fridge and freezer.

If you have the freezer so full that the cold air can't circulate, your food will thaw even though the freezer isn't malfunctioning. Always leave some space open in the freezer and try to not store food right up against the cooling vents.

The thermostat might have shorted out, which means the freezer can't accurately determine how cold it is. If this is the case, the refrigerator would probably not be working, either.

If your defrost drain becomes clogged, the water in the line will just refreeze over and over again, which could damage the lines as well as the fan. Always check the drain and make sure no sludge is building up in it if you have a self-defrosting refrigerator.

Always try to keep the freezer door closed for long periods of time. The more the door is opened, the more warm air is let in and cold air is released. If the door is opened frequently, the freezer could be warming faster than the fridge can cool it, which will thaw your food

As for the fridge, the same solution but for more details. If refrigerator is not cooling properly can be due to a defrost timer, which is causing the fridge to go into defrost cycle. Usually it takes 45-60 minutes for refrigerator to come out of defrost cycle. If the timer goes bad then it will not come out of defrost cycle and can result in this kind of issues. It can also occur due to defrost thermostat, it allows current to pass through it at temperatures of 20 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit and prevents current from passing through it at 40 to 60 degrees. This is difficult to test, though, because it takes a prolonged, very-cold temperature to turn it on. The defrost thermostat is snapped onto the top portion of the evaporator. The thermostat sends temperature information to the processor. The defrost heater must be replaced when replacing the thermostat.

1. Remove the lower fan duct work from the evaporator cover.
2. Remove the 1/4-in. evaporator cover screws and remove the evaporator cover.
3. Disconnect the defrost thermostat wiring connector.
4. Remove the defrost thermostat from the evaporator.

I hope the above helps.......

Take care.

I have Ge GSS25XSQA SS side by side and the food in the refrigerator drawers (crisper and meat) are freezing. Also the ice dispenser is frozen closed. The water dispenser still works.
Want can I do to fix it. Would dirty coils have anything to do with this?
Terry

Here is information about the ice problem:
http://www.geappliances.com/search/fast/infobase/10000594.htm
This website lists the possible things that will keep it from getting cold enough:
http://www.repairclinic.com/Refrigerator-Troubleshooting#Coolingispoor
It can be many things, since there are many operational parts working together, but I would check your condenser coils, and make sure the fan is running first, then troubleshoot the problem.
Good luck, hope this helps, and thanks for using FixYa.

Yes, providing the water filter has been changed regulary. That would be number one reason for water slowing down. If you hae done that we will work with supply, Sea Breeze

GE has a water dispenser heater retrofit kit that will prevent the freezing. Please don't be angry with me I don't work for GE. Do they not know the part number? Click Here=> WR49X10173
Or here=> WR49X10173 or 1381601 Dispenser Water Tube Heater Kit
Yes GE should be accountable and there products have not become better. Sadly they follow LG in the accountability department. You do have a right to complain to GE and expose the problems and solutions that were offered to you from these so called technicians. A new freezer door cost as much as a new refrigerator! Sounds like the Technicians are not very well informed or certified to work on GE products.

Please rate my solution after I have helped you resolve the problem and communicate with me. I am offering my help to you free. If need you may contact me here on Fixya or my Forum=> Appliance 911 My contact information is located above the Fixya Ad on my blog here=> Sea Breeze Appliance Parts and Technical Services, www.pcappliancerepair.com
Thanks, Sea Breeze

Hi,
As the weather is getting warmer for many people their freezer and/or refrigerator do not work right because of a dirty condenser coil...

Check out this tip that I wrote about that... it is a great place to start trouble shooting your unit...and something that you can do rather then calling a repair person to do a simple thing for you...

http://www.fixya.com/support/r4024657-refrigerator_condenser_coil_cleaning

http://www.fixya.com/support/r3876071-ice_maker_problems_ice_maker

http://www.fixya.com/support/r4588788-refrigerator_or_freezer_not_cooling_or

heatman101

Unplug refrigerator pull away from wall. Remove cover over compressor and feel top of compressor to see if overheating or trying to start. If too hot to hold hand on top leave unplugged until we locate the problem. This could be capacitor, start relay, overload, motherboard. This can Be fixed but we need to eliminate cause before replacing any parts. Sea Breeze

The fan has to run when the compressor is running. Usually does not run during defrost cycle. Could be bad fan motor, or the fan has lost power.

I found a instruction video on youtube (HVAC repair) which was very helpful. The guy shows and demonstrates the parts taken out and parts put back in, complete installation. Thanks for your help anyway.

Unplug the female connector on tear of refrigerator on the side that feed the dispenser control. With a voltage meter place the 2 probes while some presses the dispense water control. You should get 120 volts there when the dispenser switch. Thanks Sea Breeze

It is possible you have a defective fan motor in the condenser area or evaporator area. Sometimes when they become defective they will run for a while and just warm up and stop while the compressor continues to run. I learned that one on four costly returns to the home. The cost was to me not the customer. Thanks, Sea Breeze

The waterline inside the door is frozen . Best way to thaw is .....1. open the door and tape the light switch down to keep the light off and the fan working . 2. tape plastic (trash bag , drycleaning bag..etc) over the entire freezer opening so the food will not thaw and the fridge will continue to work as designed . If possible 3. disconnect the water coupling behind the kickplate so air can enter , helping the door defrost cycle , or , leave the coupling connected and ocasionally walk by and press the water dispensor to see if thawed . 4. turn your freezer setting to a lower temperature ! to keep this from happening again .

See my earlier post of 6-4-09 for the solution to this problem. There is a GE part you can buy the solves the problem. It is part #WR49X10173 -- it's called a "Dispenser Water Tube Heater Kit". The part costs $32-35. GOOD LUCK!!

See my earlier post with the solution dated 6-4-09. There is a GE part you can buy that fixes this problem. It costs $32-35. It is part #WR49X10173 and is called a "Dispenser Water Tube Heater Kit". GOOD LUCK!