I'm not well versed in refrigeration terms, so hopefully this makes sense. A few weeks ago I got a 8.8 CF Kenmore freezer (253.16922103) from craigslist. The lady said it didn't get cold, so I got it for free. I took it home, plugged it in and it cooled to about 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Thinking that the must not have known how to operate the freezer, I ordered the parts for my keezer conversion. To get it out of the way, I moved the freezer about 3 feet and aligned it with the wall. After moving, it does not cool. The compressor comes on and gets warm, but not super hot. The 'drier'? gets cold and develops frost on the outside. I've removed the temperature controller and just created a short to keep the compressor on while troubleshooting (I'm using a STC-1000 external controller). The freezer does not have an auto-defrost, so I know that is not the issue. I have not tested the capacitor or start relay yet. My assumption is that if those were bad the compressor would not come on? I'm just confused because it was working completely fine before I moved it a few feet. Thanks in advance.
I think it is a freon leak.
SOURCE: Kenmore 14.8 cft - temperature between 5 and -22 degrees (-15 and -30 C)
Big...this is likely normal. I'm not sure where you're measuring that temp from. If it is the fan outlet, this is possible. The fact that the unit is staying below 5 degrees means that it is within spec. You do have a warranty. Ask Sears to come on in and check it out.
Your 'duty cycle'...that amount of time that the compressor is on should be about 20% of a unit of time...say 25 minutes out of 2 hours. Is that about right? If so, enjoy your ice cream.
SOURCE: Kenmore 23.1 cf Chest Freezer not cooling below 14F
Make sure everything is working, I.E. compressor, fans. Now I need to know if the freezer shuts off at 14 degrees, or does it continue to run without making temp. If it shuts off, then the first place to look is the thermostat. It may be out of calibration. If it continues to run, then the solution may be as simple as cleaning the condenser coil. or the defrost has malfunctioned somehow. Defrost probleams will cause excess ice on the inside coil. You may need to remove the panels to see how much ice is on it. It sounds like the compressor is good, as it is pretty cold. Just not cold enough. A deep freeze should be at least 0.
SOURCE: Used chest freezer not cooling
Slobberlips,
One of two situations has occured with your used freezer:
1: The unit freon needs to be recharged, this happens when you develope a leak in the freon coils, or the unit is old enough that the freon has reached it's usable potential.
2: The compressor may seem to run fine, but in fact, has an internal problem.
My suggestion, return the unit if you can, and walk the isles of your local Menards, Sears, or any other local vendor in your area, and see how much prices have declined for the chest freezer.
The initial investment for a new freezer will offset any problems you might have with any other used unit, and the warranty is always a plus if you do have problems with the new unit.
Hope this helps you out.
SOURCE: kenmore upright frost free freezer compressor will not come on...
mlee62599,
You have a freon leak and the coolant leaked out. Perhaps when you mode it down the stairs one of the coils with the freon in it ruptured a tiny hole.
You need an authorized and certified tech for freon.
SOURCE: Freezer outside walls are very hot. Not maintaining temp
Hi, The walls are getting hot because that is where the condesor coils are. The condensor coils are where the heat is disperst that is trap as the coolant pumps through the evaporator coils inside. The fact that it is holding 0 degrees is a good sign. Is this freezer in a garage?
Check the door seals to make sure no heat is getting into the freezer other then when the door is opened.
I hope this helps you. Please let me know if I can assist you further.
Vic
309 views
Usually answered in minutes!
×