19 replies to this topic

[tpoindexter]

Ran diagnostic on GE refrig. and showed an error on no. 5 thermister. Replaced and still had same error. Replaced control board and still have same problem.  When I replaced the thermister I spliced, twisted wires together, then, used butt connectors to secure. Sealed connectors around wires.

When I started the job the freezer temp was at 24 and the fresh food side was at 34. Just added that FYI. Any suggestions?

[RegUS_PatOff]

... PSS26LRSC

... freezer temp was at 24 and the fresh food side was at 34

...  showed an error on no. 5 thermister.

1) can you check that model number again ...

a few characters seem to be wrong / missing

 

2) may need to see a picture of the Freezer Evaporator frost pattern

 

3) Some GE's don't use 5 Thermistors, and that test is invalid ..

Are all of the Thermistors the "newer" style ?

http://fixitnow.com/...ed-thermistors/

[tpoindexter]

1) can you check that model number again ...

a few characters seem to be wrong / missing

 

2) may need to see a picture of the Freezer Evaporator frost pattern

 

3) Some GE's don't use 5 Thermistors, and that test is invalid ..

Are all of the Thermistors the "newer" style ?

http://fixitnow.com/...ed-thermistors/

1) Sorry, PSS26LSRC SS

2) Can't provide a picture right now, but can tell you the frost was completely covering the evaporator, fairly thick, but, no ice. Air was able to pass so, the frost wasn't so thick that it was stopping air flow.

3) Yes, it's the new style thermister.

 

At this point all I know to do is go back and test the thermister at the board for 2.8 to 3.5 VDC and see if the thermister was bad, or, .... well shit that's where I get lost.

[DurhamAppliance]

I have learned not to treat info obtained from a self diagnosing board as the definitive answer. It possibly helps to lead me in the right direction so If it says "bad # X thermistor," I would begin my troubleshooting by manually testing thermistor x.. If thermistor x tests fine then i normally curse the board and look for something else.

Good idea to check ALL thermistors

Edited by DurhamAppliance, 11 January 2013 - 10:49 PM.

[certified tech group 51]

What was the original complaint????

[tpoindexter]

When I started the job the freezer temp was at 24 and the fresh food side was at 34.

[tpoindexter]

3) Some GE's don't use 5 Thermistors, and that test is invalid ..

I didn't actually count the thermisters in the fresh food side. I know it has the custom cool which is number 3 and just assumed the fresh food side had 2.

[tpoindexter]

I been working real hard to not be a parts changing monkey, but, I did it again I guess.

Edited by tpoindexter, 11 January 2013 - 11:02 AM.

[tpoindexter]

I bave learned not to treat info obtained from a self diagnosing board as the definitive answer. It possibly helps to lead me in the right direction so If it says "bad # X thermistor," I would begin my troubleshooting by manually testing thermistor x.. If thermistor x tests fine then i normally curse the board and look for something else.

Good idea to check ALL thermistors

I only use it as a occasionally, but, I've always thought it was only good really for checking thermisters. Now, maybe not even good for that.

[RegUS_PatOff]

... I know it has the custom cool which is number 3 and just assumed the fresh food side had 2.

seems there may only be (2) in the Fridge, and only (2) in the Freezer

 

... freezer temp was at 24 and the fresh food side was at 34.

Freezer Light turning OFF when Door is closed ?

(remove Freezer Light and check after a few days ..)

 

... Are all of the Thermistors the "newer" style ?

http://fixitnow.com/...ed-thermistors/

[tpoindexter]

seems there may only be (2) in the Fridge, and only (2) in the Freezer

 

Freezer Light turning OFF when Door is closed ?

(remove Freezer Light and check after a few days ..)

Yes, 2 in the fridge and 2 in the freezer.

Freezer lights go out when button is pushed. I went ahead and took them out anyway as you suggested.

All thermisters are the new style

[tpoindexter]

I went back today and here's what I did:

1) Ran diagnostic again for the thermisters and #5 failed as being open. Same as first diagnostic.

2) Pulled fridg out and checked thermister by removing connecter from p1 and testing  pin 3 and 5 for resistance. resistance was around 16k which corresponded with inside freezer temp approx. 35.

3) plugged back in and check Voltage at pin 3 and 5 . Voltage checked 2.6  should have been between 2.8-3.5 vdc.Didn't think that was enough to matter.

4) replaced control board in case I might have gotten a bad one.

5) 0-7 Ran diagnostic on thermisters again and got the same O for open on #5.

6) 0-2 Ran diagnostic to make sure temperature control panel was communicating with control board and it passed.

7) 0-3 Ran test. Failed. This test was temperature control panel to dispenser board communication

8) 0-4 Past

9) 0-6 Past

10) I had another temperature control panel with the 2 digit display instead of the single digit display so I decided to hook it up and run the dianostic to see if it got the same results and it did.

 

What the fricken hell?!!

 

I attached a couple of pictures of the 1st control board I changed out yesterday. On close up notice the resistor at R43.

 

 

Attached Files

•  2013-01-11 16.02.49.jpg   110.31K   23 downloads
•  2013-01-11 16.03.00.jpg   95.09K   24 downloads

[RegUS_PatOff]

... Ran diagnostic on thermisters again and got the same O for open on #5.

I believe you have (4) Thermistors ...
Did (4) Thermistors PASS ?
Other users have had problems with order number of the #5 Thermistor test.
GE may have changed the order numbers when they re-designed the MotherBoard...

[tpoindexter]

I believe you have (4) Thermistors ...
Did (4) Thermistors PASS ?
Other users have had problems with order number of the #5 Thermistor test.
GE may have changed the order numbers when they re-designed the MotherBoard...

 

There are only 4 thermistors

#1 thru #4 passed,

#5 failed, I keep saying thermister #5 because of the test sequence below. This sequence was copied and pasted here from the service manual 31-9072 Plastic Liner SxS. The unit does have quick chill if that the same as turbo cool.

Quote:

"Thermistor test sequence is:
1. Fresh food top thermistor
2. Fresh food bottom thermistor
3. Quick chill thermistor (displays 0 if unit is not equipped with Quick Chill option)
4. Evaporator thermistor
5. Freezer thermistor
Note: Thermistor test results will be displayed in the sequence shown above. The thermistor test
sequence number will not be shown on the display."

 

I don't know where to go from here.

 

Don't know where the last 2 statements in your comment leaves me.

 

"Other users have had problems with order number of the #5 Thermistor test.
GE may have changed the order numbers when they re-designed the MotherBoard..."

 

 

I think I'm getting dizzy. Maybe just the beer.

Edited by tpoindexter, 11 January 2013 - 09:05 PM.

[tpoindexter]

This is why dispenser test failed in diagnostic.

Quote from Manual:

Dispenser Board
"No self diagnostic tests exist for the dispenser board. Dispenser board operation is tested by pressing
each button and checking for proper operation."

[tpoindexter]

R43 in the picture attached above is by J2 which runs the fan motors. Could something be wrong with the evaporator fan even tho it's running that would have caused the burn marks at R43?

 

I need stronger liquor.

Edited by tpoindexter, 11 January 2013 - 09:07 PM.

[tpoindexter]

If the thermistor checks good, and VDC checks good at the P1 pin 3-5 then it doesn't matter what the diagnostic says, it's working!

Other users have had problems with order number of the #5 Thermistor test.
GE may have changed the order numbers when they re-designed the MotherBoard...

I think I need to forget this diagnostic bullshit and go ohm the evaporator fan to see if it's failing, just not dead yet. It probably is pulling to many amps and that's what caused the burned resistor at R43 on the board. Probably need to have a look at the condensor coils and clean then. Bet the are dirty.

 

Well this may not be the right answer the problem, but, hard liquor makes me feel better and think it is!!!  Yeehaaw

[kdog]

I need stronger liquor.

Attached Files

•  lens19598791_1341603842_a_a___.jpg   11.98K   4 downloads

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

It looks like in your photo that R43 is the burnt resistor.  This is the resistor in the evaporator fan motor circuit.  (R42 is for the condenser fan motor).  GE says that when one of these resistors is burnt, to replace both the muthaboard AND the affected fan.  In your case, the evaporator fan motor.  

 

Muthaboard ==> http://www.repaircli...5X10942/1531075

 

 

 

Evaporator fan ==> http://www.repaircli...0X10185/1170107

 

[tpoindexter]

I have learned not to treat info obtained from a self diagnosing board as the definitive answer. It possibly helps to lead me in the right direction so If it says "bad # X thermistor," I would begin my troubleshooting by manually testing thermistor x.. If thermistor x tests fine then i normally curse the board and look for something else.

Good idea to check ALL thermistors

I should have cursed the board diagnostic test sooner as Durham suggested.

 

I believe you have (4) Thermistors ...
Did (4) Thermistors PASS ?
Other users have had problems with order number of the #5 Thermistor test.
GE may have changed the order numbers when they re-designed the MotherBoard...

The repair manual had me screwed because the sequence was off as RegUS had stated, but, I wasn't letting go of.

 

I need stronger liquor.

Well, you all know what this is about. Thanks for the jesture Kdog.

 

It looks like in your photo that R43 is the burnt resistor.  This is the resistor in the evaporator fan motor circuit.  (R42 is for the condenser fan motor).  GE says that when one of these resistors is burnt, to replace both the muthaboard AND the affected fan.  In your case, the evaporator fan motor. 

Samuari confirms what I was figuring out but needed confirmed so I'd know the next time.

 

I will go install the evaporator fan motor. Thanks so much to everyone. Beers on Brothers Appliance Service tonight.