electrolux EI26SS55GW5 warm fridge frosty freezer

[waianaejohn]

Ive got an electrolux side by side EI26SS55GW5 that is forming a nice thick layer of ice on the evaporator.

The compressor is humming, both fans running, and door seals are ok.

With the freezer compartment back off, I see the heater and thermostat on the evaporator tube. 

I intend to check the heater with a voltmeter and verify the thermostat (how best to do that ?)

I see no timer.... maybe its hidden behind the other compartment or on the main board?

How can I further troubleshoot the defrost cycle?

thanks gurus

 

 

 

  

 

[rbmappltech]

Check the bimetal/thermostat that is the most common part that goes out on these fridges when you have a no defrost issue. 

Part# Part number: 5303918214

[waianaejohn]

found a great schematic at electrolux appliance website:  

the heater in line with thermistor/thermostat is controlled directly by motherboard, so timer is built in to motherboard i guess

diagram shows refridgerator control  erf2500++  error codes exist for: 

  "freezer display" :    freezer thermistor open

                                  freezer thermistor shorted

"fresh food display":   fresh thermistor open 

                                   fresh thermistor shorted 

i assume these are on the fridge front panel display where temperatures are normally  displayed?... none seen.

are these the same as the "bimetal thermostat"?

 

 

 incidentally -  schematic also shows a second controller "PTD main PCBA" controller ,  controls stuff like drawer heater, mixing fans, valve motor, ambient, freezer (thremistors?)

any idea how/where these error codes display?  error codes examples "shorted key C/F",  "ptd freezer air NTC" ........NTC???  

is all this stuff really in my fridge?  maybe I need a microsoft certified tech........

 

[waianaejohn]

bmappltech - i see the bimetal thermostat is the defrost thermostat,  in line with the heater.

how can i verify operation?    i read that it opens to shut off the heater at maybe 40-90F and is closed to allow defrost below 40F or so.

so I'm looking for an open at room temperature and closed in maye if cooled in a freezer ?

 

......thanks

  

[waianaejohn]

ooooooh.... and i see the techsheet attached to the schematic says defrost thermostat cut-in 25 degrees F, cut-out temp 47F.

so....i take it out amd should see an open at room temp, closed after a spell in a freezer ? 

AND it says theres a way to MANUALLY cycle  the heater  via Adaptive Defrost Control from the front panel keys:

= hold fresh food " +  " and fresh food " - " for 5 seconds;   "dF" display means defrosting .  How cool!

Nice trick if it works, but with an open/warm thermostat in series i guess would always see no defrost/no heat. 

[waianaejohn]

heater checks out at a few ohms

thermostat was open, then still open after being in a freezer (set for 0F) for a few hours,  so maybe thats it!

thanks for your tip

 

[rbmappltech]

Your welcome