65 replies to this topic

[Shawnna]

Well, I'm back.



Now my GE Profile PSS25MGNA refrigerator is not freezing. It's very cold, but not freezing. The other compartment seems to be working just fine.

I downloaded and printed this:

http://fixitnow.com/...g-Flowchart.pdf

But I'm unclear where to find the evaporator fan and the condenser fan? Do I need to pull the unit out from the wall and open the back or something?

EDIT - The back of the freezer compartment is covered in ice - which seems to me to indicate that the defroster isn't working. Please help me figure out what I need to replace.

Thanks in advance for your help everyone!

Edited by Shawnna, 09 September 2012 - 03:37 PM.

[Gatsumi]

^{Empty freezer and remove back wall lower panel, There are two heaters connected together I believe. You'll have to melt the ice to do an ohms check.}

[RegUS_PatOff]

would need to test the Defrost Heater # 230
and the Defrost Thermostat Switch # 240
behind Evaporator Cover # 213
inside Freezer

[Shawnna]

Ok - I got the back wall off and everything is covered in ice.

How do I turn off the freezer section but leave the regular side on?

Here's a pic of what it looks like. I've got a hair dryer in it now trying to get the ice off.

Edited by Shawnna, 09 September 2012 - 05:32 PM.

[RegUS_PatOff]

... How do I turn off the freezer section but leave the regular side on?

can't do that ...
you could manually defrost the ice with a hair-dryer ..
and some towels ..

[Shawnna]

can't do that ...
you could manually defrost the ice with a hair-dryer ..
and some towels ..

I've got the hair dryer going in there now. With towels too. And thanks for the break out of the parts. I'll need some specific instructions on how to test the two parts when this ice is gone please.

I love you all so much! Even though I hate these kinds of problems..... it's so nice to know you all have my back.

[RegUS_PatOff]

would then need to OHM the Defrost Heater and the Defrost Terminator (switch)

[Shawnna]

would then need to OHM the Defrost Heater and the Defrost Terminator (switch)

Don't I have to replace both anyway? At least that's what I got from the repair manual. Or am I misinterpreting?

http://shawnna.org/w...vice-Manual.pdf

[RegUS_PatOff]

Don't I have to replace both anyway?

If they're bad .. (usually)
OR could be a bad MotherBoard
OR a bad Thermistor
http://fixitnow.com/...ed-thermistors/

[Shawnna]

If they're bad .. (usually)
OR could be a bad MotherBoard
OR a bad Thermistor
http://fixitnow.com/...ed-thermistors/

Ok. I know this is a huge no no but.........

I honestly don't understand how testing the ohms works from both a theory and practical perspective and it makes me feel stupid and nervous posting pictures and asking questions about how the damn tester thing works.

I'm comfortable taking things apart and putting things back together so my inclination is to just replace the "usually" bad part and go from there.



*sigh*

And yes, I know that makes me look s-t-u-p-i-d.

Edited by Shawnna, 09 September 2012 - 08:37 PM.

[RegUS_PatOff]

... my inclination is to just replace the "usually" bad part and go from there.

http://www.repaircli...rtDetail/914088

 

http://www.repaircli...tDetail/1170024

 

[Shawnna]

http://www.repaircli...rtDetail/914088

 

http://www.repaircli...tDetail/1170024

 

Thanks hun..... and thank you for understanding.

[Shawnna]

My parts arrived today - if anyone has any insight on how best to approach installing them - please let me know ASAP!

And wish me luck!

[Shawnna]

Ok - please tell me what happens if I replace the defrost heater without replacing the defrost thermostat?

I can't get to the thermostat to replace it with the tools I have.

So what happens if I just replace the heater?

[SANTA]

It's most likely the thermostat is ok. Replacing it without testing it is a precaution. You can't get to the thermostat to cut and splice the wires?

[vee8power]

I don't think the defrost thermostat is likely to be bad; it doesn't cycle off and on with every defrost cycle like most of them do; it is just there as a safety device. If you're not able to use an ohmmeter to check the heater, a visual inspection can tell you that it's bad

[Shawnna]

It's most likely the thermostat is ok. Replacing it without testing it is a precaution. You can't get to the thermostat to cut and splice the wires?

Nope - can't get to one screw to get the cover off to get to the wires.

I don't think the defrost thermostat is likely to be bad; it doesn't cycle off and on with every defrost cycle like most of them do; it is just there as a safety device. If you're not able to use an ohmmeter to check the heater, a visual inspection can tell you that it's bad

Well.... I got the old heater out easily - and it looks bad to me when comparing it to the new one.

What I'm concerned about is the service manual says this:





I've got it going now and it's cooling down nicely with the new heater in it. I'm tempted to just put it back together and see what happens. But before I do that, I wanted to check in with all of you and see if I should worry about what the manual says? If so, I'll leave it apart and call a repair man.

As always, your insight is most appreciated!

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

I can't get to the thermostat to replace it with the tools I have.

So what happens if I just replace the heater?

How much of the freezer have you disassembled? With the back panel out, the thermostat should be right there on top. Is it caked in frost? Post a photo so we can see what the problem is.

[certified tech group 51]

Let me get this right..... You spent time to clean/clear evaporator coils, ordered and received the defrost heater ( apx. $70 clams ) and defrost terminator ( apx. $ 12 clams) .....but you only install the heater and are going the see what happens ?????? You have it apart once, fix it once........... If you never tested the defrost terminator to see if it had failed, you might as well just replace both items, reinstall the cover, and have a beer.................................................If you call a 'repairman' and he sees that you started to work on it, it'll cost you a few shekels....He will not know if it is miss-wired, missing parts, was not the original complaint.............I charge extra if a customer starts a repair and then bails out on the repair..................

[Shawnna]

Post a photo so we can see what the problem is.

I've got everything but this one cover off. Here's a pic with the cover I need out circled.



Here's the tool I'm using to remove the screws - it's the only tool I have that fits the screw head.



And here's a close up of the screw that I can't get to.



And here's the damaged brushes because the tool I'm using keeps coming apart and falling behind them.



Thanks hun for all your help! As always, you're incredibly patient with me and I'm deeply grateful. At 58, with a new hip last December and a disabled son at home, I simply have to try and fix these things myself given my $20K cut in pay I took to keep working two years ago.

Let me get this right..... You spent time to clean/clear evaporator coils, ordered and received the defrost heater ( apx. $70 clams ) and defrost terminator ( apx. $ 12 clams) .....but you only install the heater and are going the see what happens ?????? You have it apart once, fix it once........... If you never tested the defrost terminator to see if it had failed, you might as well just replace both items, reinstall the cover, and have a beer.................................................If you call a 'repairman' and he sees that you started to work on it, it'll cost you a few shekels....He will not know if it is miss-wired, missing parts, was not the original complaint.............I charge extra if a customer starts a repair and then bails out on the repair..................