Posted: 6/25/2006 9:09:31 PM EDT
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I have a friend who's refrigerator has quit cooling. The refrigerator side doesn't cool as all, and the freezer side cool just a little. I've told him to make sure the coils are clean, so that isn't the problem. Is there some way that he can repair this on his own, or should he just buy a new unit? (Whirlpool, of course) Vulcan94 |
Thanks for the reply. I'll have to give him a call and have him check. Vulcan94 |
This is the info that I've been able to get on the unit. The make is Hotpoint, but I don't know what it the actual model. Both fans are running and there is a layer of ice on the back panel inside the freezer. Vulcan94 |
| try this link, saved my butt, diagnosed a bad temp controller on a smaller Beverage-Air fridge I have www.acmehowto.com/howto/appliance/refrigerator/refrigerator.php |
Thanks for the link. That made it onto my bookmarks. Vulcan94 |
 Oh, ..... wait...., I'm not Drfrige.  Vulcan94 |
But he might just click.
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Leave unit running and pull the back panel off inside of freezer. Now find the defrost timer on unit, more than likely it will be inside fridge section by the thermostat. You will not see the timer itself but you will see a circular hole with a plastic piece in the middle. you turn that plastic piece until the unit clicks off. Now it is in defrost. If it was a bad timer the heater will now come on at the bottom of evap, DO NOT TOUCH IT, TO SEE IF IT IS ON. You will hear the water sizzling after a couple of minutes if the heater comes on if it is working, and it will glow red. If the heater does not come on that only leaves the heater and the bimetal, my money would be on the heater because hotpoint uses glass covered heaters and they are almost always the problem here is what a dfrost timer looks like- www.appliance411.com/faq/defrost-timer.advance-screw.jpg This site describes how the defrost sytem works- www.appliance411.com/faq/howdefrostworks.shtml |
Actually there are usually three fans - one each inside the refrigerator and freezer, and the third is the condenser fan that blows the heat away from the condenser coils. Without it, nothing gets cold. Is there warm air blowing out the bottom? Is there any air blowing out the bottom? |
I've not been able to go over to my friends house this weekend, but I'll try to get over there on the 4th. Been too busy and have to go to work tomorrow.  Still, I want to thank all of you for your help. The guys and gals on ARFCOM are better than google. Vulcan94 |
I'm sure he will be along shortly now that the sign has been thown up. |
Most fridges have 1 fan , and that is the evap fan motor. Because those are the cheapest. The ones with 2 fans are usaually middle of the line. Only the higher end models have 3 fans. He said there was frost on the back panel of the freezer and that is a dead givaway that it has a defrost problem. |
I'm surprised that someone hasn't sent him a link to this thread, yet.  Vulcan94 |