5 replies to this topic

[justyouraveragelimodriver]

Hi. I'm new here and have a question regarding my Kenmore 6580 refrigerator.

I THINK this is a new problem developing with my fridge. At the medium temp setting (which I've kept for 3 years), the freezer now is at 10 degrees and the fridge is at 42. I have recently noticed that it turns on for about 3 1/2 minutes, then off for about 8 minutes. The compressor and fan run while it's on. After about 8 minutes of running, I hear the thermostat kick out and everything shuts off properly.

It seems to me that when we first got it (about 3 years ago), it ran much longer (maybe 10 or 15 minutes). It also seems to me that these longer on-times were the norm until the last few days. Unfortunately I don't remember the original temps that both compartments used to be.

I turned the thermostat to a colder setting (almost all the way up) to test it today and it then ran 5 minutes and turned off for 8. After an hour, the freezer was at 8 and the fridge was down to 40 so I'm assuming over time the temp would have come down more.

I also just tried turning the thermostat to the coldest setting and it runs for about 9 minutes, then shuts off for about 8. (I'm kind of surprised that the coldest setting doesn't run it continuously, but what the heck do I know).

FYI: This fridge has a coil attached to the back, not below, and it's clean.

So my question is on a non-energy efficient fridge ("479kwh/year") unit, would 4 or 5 on and 8 off be a possible normal sounding cycle? I don't think there's been any major change in loads of either the freezer or fridge.

Thanks.

Terry

[kdog]

Ten Commandments for Reading Appliance Model Numbers

[justyouraveragelimodriver]

Ten Commandments for Reading Appliance Model Numbers

Guess that means I'll be going to appliance hell. Sorry. The full model number is 253.65802508.

Terry

[kdog]

Guess that means I'll be going to appliance hell. .

That Fridge will never cut it down there - Edited topic title

[kdog]

Your Thermostat may be getting Flakey - see if you can gently tap on the knob and cause it to cut in/out - if so, come get a new one.

http://www.repaircli...er=253.65802508

 

[justyouraveragelimodriver]

Well, Mr. Guru Sir, I tapped on the thermostat while it was running and nothing happened. BUT, then it KEPT running for more like 20 or 25 minutes (like I'm pretty sure it used to), and then shut off. It was off for 23 minutes and started back up. (Sounds better than 3 1/2 on, 8 off, and running about 6 degrees higher). I think you're right. Thermostat is going out (or at least flaky).

BTW: Before the thermostat tapping, the lowest temps I could get were 40 in the fridge and 9 in the freezer. After the tapping, I'm sure I could freeze the fridge. Back at about the halfway thermostat setting, now fridge temp is 36 and the freezer is at 3.

If it's like most mechanical parts, they generally don't fix themselves so I'll probably order a new one and just replace it.

Thanks!

Terry