Getting very frustrated with Maytag SxS (MZD2766GE)

[ggibeau]

OK, I have the repair manual for this model fridge, and I am still having one hell of a time trying to get to the ADC to test it. The plastic light cover does not want to slide forward no matter how hard I try. It does not look like it is attached, but it does not want to slide. Any hints before I break it?

Thanks a ton.

George

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

George, these can be a little tricky. Make doubly sure all fasteners are out... I think there a couple in the back wall, too. Then, to remove the tray, you'll see two little half-holes in the back of the tray next to the back wall of the fridge-- these are for your fingers. Stick your fingers in and pull down gently while pulling forward on the tray. Comes right out.

[ggibeau]

Thanks a ton. I found the finger holes and did a little more inspection. I noticed that you need to pull down on the plastic to clear 2 little plastic tabs that then enable the plastic shroud to slide forward. I was finally able to get to the ADC and tried shorting between TST and L1 - anyway, I did not notice the defrosting coils coming on - Is there a test point I can measure to see if there is any current draw (or test continuity for possible fried circuits/components).

Thanks again for offering this great service...

George

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

If the evaporator coil was still frosted up when you did this test, then it's safe to assume that the defrost thermostat was closed and should have allowed the heaters to fire... if the ADC was sending current. Since this didn't happen, the ADC is bad. Go ahead and replace it:

http://www.repairclinic.com/referral.asp?R=154&N=948430

If you wanted to, you could check for voltage at the defrost thermostat. No voltage again means a bad ADC.

[ggibeau]

Received the new ADC today - it came enclosed in a white plastic housing. The one in the fridge is simply the circuit board, with a weird shaped clear plastic standoff on the bottom side where the ADC screws into the light cover shroud.

Question - should I remove the new circuit board from the clam-shell enclosure it shipped in and install it similar to the one it is replacing, or should I leave it in the white plastic enclosure?

Thanks,

George

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

Leave the clam-enclosure-- the engineers added that to protect the circuit board from condensation, they think that's what was causing the ADC boards to fail in such high numbers.

[ggibeau]

OK, will do. Thanks for the quick response. Once more into the breech - here goes nothing ;-)

George

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

Piece of pie.  Go git 'em!

[ggibeau]

New part installed, fridge side reassembled - now we will wait and see if the defroster works as designed. If not, then I guess the next item up is the defroster/thermostat combo ;-). Will wait with baited breath to hear the sound of sizzle..

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

Give it a day or so.  You will learn to trust again, Grasshopper.

[ggibeau]

Will do and will do ;-)

Thanks again...

[Budget Appliance Repair]

[user=1]Samurai Appliance Repair Man[/user] wrote:

Leave the clam-enclosure-- the engineers added that to protect the circuit board from condensation, they think that's what was causing the ADC boards to fail in such high numbers.

Samurai, the first one of these ADC boards in a Maytag SxS that I replaced, I couldn't seem to get the ADC to fit back into the spot in the clamshell enclosure so I took it out of the enclosure and installed the orginal standoff.

Is there a trick to getting it to fit with the enclose, like maybe not screwing it back to the mounting post and just letting the clamshell enclosed ADC just sit in the area where it used to be screwed to?????????

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

Great question, Willie! I forgot to talk about that. I think the engineers figured that it's more important to have the extra protection on the board than it is to screw it down in a stationary, non-vibrating, environment. Once the control panel is re-assembled, it's going to stay put anyway.

And, no, it doesn't lay down flat in its compartment with the clamshell on. Again, no biggie.

[ggibeau]

The clam-shell enclosure seemed to fit very snugly in the depression where the clamless-shelled original ADC was mounted - in fact, I hope I don't have to take it back out ;-) so no worries there of it wiggling out.

George

[Budget Appliance Repair]

Thanks Samurai, that's good to know for the next time I do one. I'm sure I will be seeing another although that one is the only one I've had to deal with so far.