Request: Refrigerator Doesn't Stay Cold
Archived on 09/24/2009
I haven't sent a tip in a long time. Here is one that may help. If your refrigerator is not cooling as it should, the defrosting mechanism in the freezer may have gone out and the defroster coils are iced up. If you don't have money to run out and buy a new refrigerator, here is what you can do.
Two years ago, we paid about $200.00 to get the defroster in our freezer replaced. Well, lo and behold, it went out again last week. Since my husband and I watched the repairman and my husband helped him, we know what to do. First, unplug the refrigerator. Remove all the shelves from the freezer. Take the panel from the inside back of the freezer.
You will need a screwdriver and/or wrench of the right size to undo the screws. Plug the drain hole in the bottom of the freezer to keep water from dripping through to the floor. You will see an ice buildup on coils at the inside back of the freezer. Get plenty of old towels. Put one in the bottom of the freezer and change it when it becomes soaked. Melt the ice with a hairdryer.
Use common sense and don't get any water on the hair dryer or let the floor get wet. It may take two people to do this; one to use the hairdryer and the other to handle the wet towels. When you get the ice melted, put the panel back in and it will run fine until it ices up again; we let ours go a week before we thawed it again. Don't forget to plug it back in.
If you decide to get a repairman, it will save his time (and your money) if you have it ice-free when he comes. I may get a less-than-year-old Energy Star refrigerator from my friend in June and it seems silly to spend the money on getting the more than ten-year-old fridge repaired. So, we are going to do this once a week until then.
By Aunt Sharon from Whitewright, TX
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RE: Refrigerator Doesn't Stay Cold
One thing that helps is to vacuum out the coils in the bottom of the fridg, they are under the bottom. Use a vacuum with a small crevice tool and get one of those long brushes, so you can get all the way to the back. You will be amazed at the amount of dirt and accumulated dust. This should be done about every 6 months. This allows the motor to cool better and not overheat the motor. You could end up damaging a lot of parts by not doing this. (05/15/2009)
By c t
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Request: Refrigerator Doesn't Stay Cold
Archived on 05/14/2009
We have a spare refrigerator in our basement that is used regularly since our kitchen refrigerator is small. I am having problems with the one in the basement. I have both refrigerator and freezer controls turned to the coldest settings. The freezer is fine but the refrigerator is under the recommended temperature for a refrigerator.
I am only using it for a short time for fresh veggies, fruit, and some beverages. My husband is quite handy at fixing, but can't diagnose the problem. Honestly, I think he just wants to get rid of the refrigerator. I want it keep it because I know we really do need it. He is not the one trying to figure out how to keep our foods cold every day so it doesn't really matter to him. I think if we did get rid of it then he would understand.
Could someone suggest a web site to use or have an answer to what may be wrong with the refrigerator? My sister thinks she has the solution. This has something to do with the electrical connection. She seems to think that there is too much electrical usage on the one line and the refrigerator needs more "juice" to run properly. We rent the house so we really don't have much control with this.
On the one electrical line we have our washer, an upright freezer, and some lights and other things along with this refrigerator. I don't quite know if this could be true. I forgot to mention that during the winter months, the refrigerator runs cold but I still have it set on the coldest setting. So basically when the outside temperature is cold, I can use the refrigerator safely. Our basement is more of a cellar and doesn't have any heat other than the heater when it runs.
By Mkymlp from USA
Feedback:
RE: Refrigerator Doesn't Stay Cold
Electricity is not the problem, you only have one plug and unless it is very unusual, only one compressor so I would look to the temperature control. It is also possible that the air opening where the cold air comes out is somehow blocked.
If you have to keep both parts on the coldest setting, it is time to replace. What you save in energy will more than make up for the price of a used unit. Our local appliance stores sell good, used appliances for $50 or less rather than have to recycle them. My friend bought a like new washer for $10 and it works great. (04/25/2009)
By zoodad
RE: Refrigerator Doesn't Stay Cold
Do you clean behind and under the fridge? Dust may have accumulated on the coils. How old is your fridge? It may be time to get a new one. (04/25/2009)
By OliveOyl
RE: Refrigerator Doesn't Stay Cold
I would suggest checking to see if it needs freon or a similar type gas. Sometimes just being a little low can upset the way it will cool. (05/03/2009)
By lostinthe
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Request: Refrigerator Doesn't Stay Cold
Archived on 04/24/2009
My refrigerator does not stay cold anymore. It blows warm air. What should I do?
Ed from Las Vegas, NV
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RE: Refrigerator Doesn't Stay Cold
Thirty+ years ago I repaired refrigerators for a living. There have been some changes, mostly in the electronics that control them, but here are some things you can do.
First, make sure the condenser coil is clean. This is a (usually) black coil of tubing that is either underneath or behind your refrigerator. It is normally warm when the refrigerator is running. If it is clogged with dust or pet hair that may stop the refrigerator from working.
You said it "blows warm air", is that inside or outside? It should blow warm air outside, that's the heat that is being removed from the interior.
Does it need defrosting? If it is a "frost-free" model then that means it defrosts itself automatically. The defrost cycle may not be working, and diagnosing and repairing that is probably not something you can do yourself unless you're comfortable with an ohmmeter. If the refrigerator is less than about seven years old it will have electronic, not electric controls and there's no way out but to call a service tech with the proper diagnostic tools.
I had to call one myself a couple of years ago, the motherboard had gone bad. Up until then I didn't even know that refrigerators had motherboards. But being familiar with both computers and refrigerators I was able to order the part and replace it myself, saving $80 for the second service call. (02/14/2008)
By Walt816
RE: Refrigerator Doesn't Stay Cold
This happened to me 4 days ago. I called my friends who seem to know alot about refrigerators. All of them said that my defrost cycle thermostat was "stuck". They told me to prop the door open for 4-5 hours and the motor would start again. It did. Now, this may or may not be permanent. It might happen next week or never again. But, it worked! (03/24/2008)
By artisticattorney
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