20 Most Recent Kenmore 57029 Side by Side Refrigerator - Page 9 Questions & Answers

If the refrigerator isn't cool, you need to answer some questions, then see if the compressor is running.
First, answer these questions:
Is the refrigerator completely dead? If so, see “It's stopped completely.”
Is the thermostat knob turned to the proper setting? If not, reset it.
Next, see if the compressor motor is running
The compressor is a football-sized case with no apparent moving parts. It's on the outside of the refrigerator at the back near the bottom. If it is humming or making a continuous noise and your refrigerator is still not cooling, there may be a more serious problem with one or more of several different components, we recommend contacting a qualified appliance repair technician for further help.
If the compressor is not running but you do have power to the refrigerator, there may be a problem with one or more of these:

The compressor

The Thermostat

The overload, relay, or capacitor

The defrost timer

The condenser fan motor

Cooling is poor
For an overall understanding of how refrigerators should work, read about refrigerators in the How Things Work section of our website. A refrigerator or freezer that is cooling, but cooling poorly, may have a problem in one of several areas:

Poor cooling is often the result of a heavy frost build-up on the evaporator coils or a condenser that is clogged with dust, lint, and dirt.
Evaporator coils
Poor cooling is often the result of a heavy frost build-up on the evaporator coils. You can't see these coils without removing a panel on the inside of your freezer. A sure sign that there is a build-up is the presence of any frost or ice build-up on the inside walls, floor, or ceiling of the freezer. Such a frost build-up usually indicates a problem in the self-defrosting system or damaged door gaskets.
The refrigerator is supposed to self-defrost approximately four times in every 24 hour period. If one of the components in the self-defrosting system fails, the refrigerator continues to try to cool. Eventually, though, so much frost builds up on the evaporator coils that the circulating fan can't draw air over the coils. There may still be a small amount of cooling because the coils are icy, but with no air flow over the coils, cooling in the refrigerator compartment is quite limited.
Here's an inexpensive, though inconvenient, way to determine if the problem is with the self-defrosting system. Remove all of the perishable food from the refrigerator and freezer, turn the thermostat in the refrigerator to Off, and leave the doors open for 24 to 48 hours. (Be sure to have several towels ready in case the melting frost and ice causes the drip pan to overflow). This allows the refrigerator to defrost "manually." When the frost and ice build-up has completely melted away, turn the thermostat back to a normal setting. If the refrigerator then cools properly, it indicates a problem with one of three components in the self-defrosting system:
The defrost timer
The defrost thermostat (also called the bi-metal switch)
The defrost heater

to check these components .... please refer to my solution in the below link....

http://www.fixya.com/support/t4189238-defroster_not_working_checked_defrost

If it still does not cool properly, there may be a problem with the refrigerant level or the compressor. You may need to consult with a qualified appliance repair technician to further diagnose the problem
Condenser
Self-defrosting refrigerators all have a set of coils and a cooling fan, usually under the refrigerator, that need to be cleaned regularly. If these coils get coated with dust, dirt or lint, the refrigerator may not cool properly. The coils may appear to be a thin, black, wide radiator-like device behind the lower kick-panel. To clean them, disconnect the refrigerator from the power source, use a refrigerator condenser brush (see the Appliance Accessories section) and your vacuum cleaner to clean the coils of any lint, pet hair, etc. You may not be able to get to all of the condenser from the front, it may be necessary to clean the remainder of the condenser from the rear of the refrigerator.

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Most likely the line to the icemaker has evaporated to a point so as to create an air bubble.
Here is the normal situation to check for a problem like this, taken from repairclinic.com:
The ice maker is producing ice poorly When an ice maker is producing ice poorly--when it produces just a few cubes or none, or when the cubes are too small--it's usually because of a clogged water line or a defective water inlet valve. First, check the water line attached to the back of the refrigerator for good water flow. To do that, first turn off the water supply valve. Then remove the water line from the back of the refrigerator. Next, place the water line into a bucket and momentarily turn the water valve back on to test the flow. If the flow is poor, you need to repair, clean, or replace the tubing or the shut-off valve that supplies the water. If the flow is good, you may have to replace the water inlet valve. In this case, I would shut off the water, and disconnect the line going to the icemaker, and fill the line to evacuate the air, then reattach it. Hopefull, this will restore the flow to your icemaker. Otherwise, the water inlet valve may have stuck or failed. Good luck, hope this helps, and thanks for using FixYa.

Good day,
The most common reason for noise is the fan motor in the freezer compartment.
Remove the screws from the rear panel in the freezer compartment and inspect the fan motor. Replacing it is a fairly easy nuts and bolts procedure. The motor should be available at most appliance parts houses.
kenmore is a trade name for Sears appliances. It was made by either Whirlpool or Frigidaire.

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...there are also many other things that can go wrong. If you are hearing a clicking or buzzing then check out the last two tips.

If your refrigerator is running but warm, then…

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...

Refrigerator Condenser Coil Cleaning Refrigerator Repair

Refrigerator Troubleshooting Refrigerator Compressor

Refrigerator Compressor Start Capacitor and Start Relay


heatman101

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As the weather is getting warmer for many people their freezer and/or refrigerator do not work right because of a dirty condenser coil...there are also many other things that can go wrong. If you are hearing a clicking or buzzing then check out the last two tips.

If your refrigerator is running but warm, then…

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...

Refrigerator Condenser Coil Cleaning Refrigerator Repair

Refrigerator Troubleshooting Refrigerator Compressor

Refrigerator Compressor Start Capacitor and Start Relay


heatman101

Hi,
Due to various reasons this problem could occur:
1)Check the temperature setting.
Set it to max and min and check for any changes you can see in the system.
2)The compressor vents cold air into the freezer. Occasionally the vent can become clogged with ice, food or other debris. Locate the vent and clear it. To remove ice, use a hair dryer set to "low". Using the high setting may cause damage to the components or interior of the refrigerator.
3)Test the temperature control
With the ohm meter you can test it.If it does not show any reading this is the defective one you have to relplace this soon.
4)First and simplest thing is to make sure your condenser coils on the back of the fridge usually, are clean and have adequate air circulation. If you pull the fridge away from the wall you can just brush them off or use the brush on your vacuum.
5)Check for a clogged drain tube if it is clogged remove the clog.
6)Test the evaporator fan.The evaporator fan circulates air over the refrigerationcoils. The coils absorb heat and the chilled air is then circulated. If the fan does not operate, the freezer will not cool properly. The fan motor may have failed, but check first that something is not simply blocking the fan blade.
7)Defrost timer:Usually the defrost timer could solve this issue.It may be located below or back of the refrigerator.Some times it may be located in the side to for side refrigerator.Locate the timer and rotate the clutch head screw clockwise until you hear one audible click. That puts the system into defrost mode. If the system restarts after 30-35 minutes.Then there is no problem with Defrost timer.
8)Heater and defrost thermostat is located behind the back wall of the freezer section.This only controls the Heat.After the Defrost timer stops it makes the system warm.
Defrost thermostat could be defective.


post a comment for further assistance.
Thank you for using fixya have a nice day:-)

Hi

Check the back wall or floor of the freezer section for frost. Check the evaporator fan to see if it is running. Check the condenser coils under the unit for blockage from dust. Check the condenser fan under the unit to see if it is running.
If you have frost in the freezer there is a problem with the defrost system and the freezer will start to warm eventually as well as the fresh food section. If that is the problem you can check the defrost terminator, defrost heater/s, and the defrost timer or adaptive defrost control If used on your unit or the main control board if so equipped. These things usually require dismantling the freezer and other areas of the refrigerator to be checked.
You could defrost the freezer by disconnecting the power to the refrigerator and letting it sit for at least 24 hours with doors open to allow the frost to melt completely but it will build up again in 1-2 weeks and start the warming up again.

Let us know if you have something more to ask else please accept the solution.
Thanks for contacting fixya.com

Im sorry but it sounds like your compressor is bad. You can try replacing the start relay it is located on the top of the compressor under a plastic cap. The cap is held on by a metal clip. The start relay is about the size of a nickel and is under this cap and attached to one of the three prongs coming out of the compressor. The compressor is located in the back under the bottom of the refrigerator and is about the size of a soccer ball and is black. Make sure you unplug the refrigerator first. I hope I'm wrong and the start relay is bad but most of the time if it kicks in for more than five seconds its the compressor. good luck

Hi,

Here is a tip that I wrote about the reasons why ice makers do not work.

Ice Maker Problems and Ice Maker Troubleshooting

heatman101

does it cool and then stop when it does this is there frost in the fzr compartment or ice build up. Does the fans run at all do you hear the compressor and compressor fan running. Just need more info

is the compressor running it may be defrosting.Is the freezer cold? is food blocking the vents in the freezer?

Hi,

Check out these tips...they can help you figure out whats going wrong with your refrigerator and why it is not cooling

Refrigerator not Cooling or Fridge not Cooling

How to Defrost Refrigerator Defrost Timer Problem

Water Running in refrigerator from Freezer

heatman101

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...there are also many other things that can go wrong. If you are hearing a clicking or buzzing then check out the last two tips.

If your refrigerator is running but warm, then…

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...

Refrigerator Condenser Coil Cleaning Refrigerator Repair

Refrigerator Troubleshooting Refrigerator Compressor

Refrigerator Compressor Start Capacitor and Start Relay


heatman101

The water line that supplies the ice maker has froze up. Shut off or unplug your refrigerator for about six hours and let it completely thaw out. The water should flow into the ice maker again. You can also take a blow dryer and unthaw the frozen ice that is clogging the water supply tube line. After you thaw it out and it is still not making ice then replace the solenoid water supply valve

Try replaceing the water filter, and / or check the water supply for adequit volume and pressure, by disconnecting the water supply line from the back of the refrigerator and run a couple of gallons of water into a bucket just to make sure the line is clear.
If the water supply volume and pressure is good, reconnect the water supply line, install the new water filter and try dispensing water, this should fix it, or check that the water supply silenoid valve for proper operation when dispenser lever is depressed.
GOOD LUCK !

Hi,

Check out these tips...they can help you figure out whats going wrong with your refrigerator and why it is not cooling

Refrigerator not Cooling or Fridge not Cooling
http://www.fixya.com/support/r3662945-refrigerator_not_cooling_or_fridge_not

How to Defrost Refrigerator Defrost Timer Problem
http://www.fixya.com/support/r3771673-defrost_refrigerator_defrost_timer


Water Running in efrigerator from Freezer
http://www.fixya.com/support/r3780310-water_running_in_refrigerator_from

heatman101

Probably not due to the filter. Do you get a strong, steady stream of water from the dispenser? If not you need to look at the saddle valve, which is where the refrigerator gets water from the house's plumbing. Try screwing the saddle valve in as tight as you can then opening it up all the way. If that dosen't improve water flow you may need to call a plumber.

If you have a good strong stream of water to the fridge something may be wrong with the icemaker itself. It could also be the water valve on the fridge. Your best bet would be to call a professional.

Could be a lot of things. The compressor may be bad. It may not be defrosting. You could have a refrigerant leak. Your evaporator fan motor might be bad The best idea would be to call a professional.

The tube is at the bottom of the evaporator drain trough. Open your freezer door, pull the bottom 2 containers or shelves out and you should be able to see the back of the freezer. There will be 8 vertical slots at the botton, and that is where the drain starts. Tjhe quickest way to clear it if it's frozen is to get a 1500 watt hair dryer or a squeeze bottle of very hot water and clean the drain out. Or you can shut the unit down, open the doors and let it sit overnight. Be sure to put some towels down, as it might get messy, Once it's thawed, you shouldn't have any more troubvle with it. Hope that helps!