Model #PSS26PSSA SS Freezer frequently defrosts and refreezes. When this occurs, the entire ice bin melts into the freezer compartment and refreezes in puddles. Is this a common issue with this model and can it be self-serviced? Thanks.

This appears to be a reference to the defrosting component of a Amana freezer. Let's just assume that it is not a problem with the freezer door seals. (If the seal is not a tight seal when the door is closed, you have melting occurring and the the freezer trying to compensate by refreezing, yielding a lot of icing in the compartment. This is what happens if you over stuff the freezer and the freezer door does not quite close firmly, as well.)

The Amana defrost thermostat might be defective or have become dislodged for some reason. If defective, it would require replacement. But let's say it is not defective. The defroster didn't work when there was too much ice buildup. This could cause the molex connector in the thermostat to contract, breaking the connect activating it. One user "fixed" this problem by putting aluminum foil inside the molex connector.

If the theromostate became dislodged from its "attachment point", one would need to know the model of the freezer know where that point was. https://www.applianceblog.com/mainforums/threads/amana-defrost-thermostat-installation-location.27405/

There are videos describing replacement of the thermostat in some Amana's. You can find such on YouTube. I just can't promise that replacement would fix the problem.

www.repairclinic.com
here is the link to get the required parts.

check ur thermistors for ohms and amount of current being put out? then check ur defrost timer and cold control thermostat

Good day!!!

This could be because the ice is clumped in the ice bin. When the automatic defrost cycle occurs, heat is transferred to the freezer area. This can cause the cubes to melt slightly and refreeze back together. You can take the bin out and give it a good shake, or simply discard the cubes and start over with a fresh batch of ice cubes. By increasing the amount of food in the freezer compartment, you may be able to buffer the heat that comes from the defrost cycle and avoid clumping issues. If you have a large ice bin and hardly use any ice, it is possible that the cubes have gotten stuck together just from the weight of the cubes on top of others.

I hope this information will be helpful...Thanks for using fixya...

You may have a defrost problem that needs a technician to resolve for you.

If the ice is the only item that appears to be melting or defrosting. I would believe the most possible issue. The icemaker is leaking intermittantly into the bin and freezing the cubes inplace.
Ric

It sounds like the # 4 thermistor is bad . You will have to remove the lower inside rear freezer panel ( 2 or 4 screws ) and on the top of the coils , you will see a 1 " long torpedo looking piece , clipped on , with 2 white wires going to it . Part number WR55X10025 . This thermistor , tells the maon control board , the temperature of the freezer coils ( evaporator ) and when to defrost and when to stop defrosting and turn the compressor back on . There is also a defrost thermostat which cuts the heater off to keep from over heating , but I do not believe this is part of your problem . You should also replace the # 5 thermistor , located behind the oval grill , mounted on the lower right side of the freezer . This thermistor , tells the main control board , the temperature of the freezer section .

Your evaporator coils frost up in normal use and every eight hours or so the entire unit shuts down and the defrost heater comes on to melt the frost. This cycle last about 20 minutes. The melted frost drips into a drain pan and through a drain tube to the drain tray under the freezer/refrigerator where it's evaporated by the condenser fan.


Your drain tube may be stopped up with ice at the upper end because it drains too slow because it's stopped up at the lower end in the evaporator pan under the unit at the floor. It can get dust and mold in it. Once you get the ice out at the top a little pressure with a turkey baster will usually clear it out. Flushing it out with hot water and clorox may help.
Make sure it drains quick enough to prevent refreezing. . The drain should be located below the evaporator coils on the lower back of the freezer.

Your evaporator coils frost up in normal use and every eight hours or so the entire unit shuts down and the defrost heater comes on to melt the frost. This cycle last about 20 minutes. The melted frost drips into a drain pan and through a drain tube to the drain tray under the freezer/refrigerator where it's evaporated by the condenser fan.


Your drain tube may be stopped up with ice at the upper end because it drains too slow because it's stopped up at the lower end in the evaporator pan under the unit at the floor. It can get dust and mold in it. Once you get the ice out at the top a little pressure with a turkey baster will usually clear it out. Flushing it out with hot water and clorox may help.
Make sure it drains quick enough to prevent refreezing. . The drain should be located below the evaporator coils on the lower back of the freezer.

Ice cubes will deteriorate over time if not used. They shrink due to defrosting of the freezer and will become stale.
Once the ice bin is full, turn the ice maker off until you use the cubes and or dump the cubes every 3 or 4 days and start over.