6 replies to this topic

[Yackman]

I have an Amana Refrigerator with a Bottom Freezer.  Model BX22S5E - P1196704we - I'm guessing (by the age of the house) that it is about 10 years old.

Last summer, I got a lot of condensation around the freezer door and it would often leak a small puddle on the floor.  I cleaned the dust off the coils under the fridge and turned the defroster switch and it started working properly again.

This weekend, the freezer door started leaving a puddle again - and the ice in the ice trays wasn't frozen all the way.  So I cleaned the dust (how in the heck are you supposed to get the dust out of the back - I had a vacuum cleaner and ducttaped straws pulling mouse-sized dustballs off of that thang!) and fiddled with the defroster switch... and the freezer door has continued to leak (like, cups of water - if it were beer the Samurai would be a collecting it in mugs!) and now it won't make ice at all.

I went into the back of the freezer - opened it up - temperature was about 40F - expected to see a clogged drain - but alas, it was clear.  The only frost was on (what I presume to be ) the defroster thermostat -it looked like a marshmellow- and there was only a bit of water on the coils -

After plugging it back in, the coils have frosted up ONLY in the upper right corner (after about 4 hours).  Kinda looks like the Samurai's picture of 'inefficient_fridge_system'. All fans are running properly - and when I turn the defroster switch out of defrost, it sounds like the compressor is running.  The temp is down to 38F.  From what I've read, it sounds like the compressor may be going bad.  Is there any way to 'jumpstart' the compressor (besides a ballpean hammer?) or do you have any other recommendations?

Yackman "I have a meter and I'm not afraid to use it"

PS - I really hope you can help me be 100% satisfied, because the last thing we need around here is steaming entrails...After all, at this point, we can't freeze them!

[FatMan]

Hi Yackman, Caught me by surprize on the phone, well did you ever get a complete frost pattern or is it toast?  I read that you have already had a condensation problem but I'm sorry to say that I don't think that is your problem now. If you do have a complete frost pattern check both door gaskets, if leaking air this could cause a overheated compressor and shut down prematurely.  Shut down unit and let the compressor cool off and try again. 

[Yackman]

Thank you for your help. From all accounts, it appears that the compressor is failing. The frost pattern stays similar to the picture. Mrs. Yackman and I went shopping tonite and bought a new fridge. Somehow, the ten year compressor extended warranty for $49 seemed like a steal!

Before we throw away the old fridge - are there any 'last ditch efforts' to get it working? It's not like I need to worry about breaking anything!

Thanks again!
Yackman

[Pegi]

Nothing to do if the compressor is failing except an expensive sealed system repair.  Might I ask what brand the new frig. is??  And if it is a Kenmore post the model number so we can see who made the box.  Pegi

[Yackman]

We got a 21.7 cu. ft. GE. We went back to the freezer on top. When we had the bottom freezer, our produce would often freeze because it sat right on top of the freezer! Model is GTS22KHP. Retail price was $830 - got it for $719 from HHGREGG. (+49.99 for 10 year compressor warranty + 25 deluxe delivery (after rebate)). Here is a link to its features http://absoluteappli...1cufttore3.html

I asked the salesman if it had a defroster switch or if it had adaptive defrost - he wasn't sure about that one - otherwise, he seemed very knowledgeable.

Regarding a last ditch effort on the old fridge - I read in another thread that you can turn on the defrost heater by shorting the defrost thermostat which made me wonder if my dt was constantly shorted, causing the heater to battle my compressor. So I disconnected it. It didn't make a difference.

Thanks again!
Yackman

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

Read this and then consider returning that GE:

http://fixitnow.com/...ng-but-good.htm

[FatMan]

 YOU DIDN'T:bathead::gimmebeer: WHAT PART OF KNOWLEDGEABLE SALESPERSON DON'T I UNDERSTAND:grr: