Frigidaire Refrigerator on every 1/2 hour

[edcmaak11]

I have a top freezer frig with model #FRT18S6AWA Frigidaire.  I moved into an apartment with this frig.  At first the frig was constant on, so I checked the back by the condensor and the condenser fan was on the floor.  I replaced a new one and its now working.  I thought the situation was solved, but the frig was constantly on after 1/2 hour for 1/2 hour.  I opened the evaporator and it was icy so I suspected the Bi-Metal(thermostat) was broken so I replaced it because it was manufactured in 2004.  I tested the defrost timer by turning the dial to force the heat to turn on and heater was working fine.  

 

This is a simple top freezer frig., Can anyone help me to test to see if anything else is wrong without paying heavily on the electric bill?  

[16345Ed]

What do you mean by icy? Can you share photo?

What are temps in Freezer and Refrigerator?

[edcmaak11]

22 minutes ago, 16345Ed said:

What do you mean by icy? Can you share photo?

What are temps in Freezer and Refrigerator?

 

Icy means there is a frost on the evaporator.  I will test the temp tonight to see what is the different temp but when I opened the cover for evaporator the system was on while there was a frost on the evaporator.  

[16345Ed]

An even layer of frost covering all coils is what you want.

Any frost build up anywhere?

Check all the door seals. 

If air is leaking out your compressor will need to run constantly. 

 

 

[16345Ed]

Let's back up...

condenser coils clean?

is condenser fan running?

is evaporator fan running?

 

 

[evaappliance]

9 hours ago, 16345Ed said:

An even layer of frost covering all coils is what you want.

Yes,   only if it were were enough frost there to keep air from passing through the coils would you have a self defrosting issue 

[edcmaak11]

 

Any frost build up anywhere? =======I dont see any other frost in other place

Check all the door seals. ========= Door seals good

If air is leaking out your compressor will need to run constantly. =========the evaporator frost looks evenly, close system looks good 

condenser coils clean?========= still dirty and have hard time cleaning.  Has oil probably from cooking....was thinking of getting those Gunk Carburetor Cleaner and spray and wash out...but didnt do yet

is condenser fan running?=======fan runs fine now.

is evaporator fan running?===== fan runs fine too..

 

 

I was not able to get the temperature because my watch with the thermometer was not displaying in the frig.  I didnt try the freezer yet since it wont display in the frig.  

 

[Hiroshi]

If you advance the timer and the unit defrosts, but it doesn't on it's own, that would mean replace the defrost timer, not the thermostat...

Do the tests BEFORE replacing parts.

Does this unit have an Icemaker installed?

[edcmaak11]

2 hours ago, Hiroshi said:

If you advance the timer and the unit defrosts, but it doesn't on it's own, that would mean replace the defrost timer, not the thermostat...

Do the tests BEFORE replacing parts.

Does this unit have an Icemaker installed?

 

I dont know it the defrost timer is working or not.  I just advanced it so I can check if the heater has any problems.  

It doesn't have an icemaker install.  

[ShayneB]

On 10/28/2016 at 2:17 PM, Hiroshi said:

 

Does this unit have an Icemaker installed?

Why would the ice maker be of interest here? 

[Hiroshi]

If an icemaker is installed (and working) there are several points that help in diagnosis... if it produces Ice, you know it is getting to below 13 degrees for some period in order to harvest. Then, by analysing what happens to the ice once it is in the bin, you can infer temperature fluctuations and whether the machine spends too much time over temperature by the state of the cubes over a week's time...

[Quick]

Ah, chances are there's nothing wrong with that box. 

If it don't run it won't cool.

Clean the condenser from time to time and forget about it.

If it quits cooling you got a problem.

Quick

[edcmaak11]

It really bothers me.  Everytime I get my beer the frig will turn on for 1/2 hour.  I am thinking twice now before I am getting my beer.  

Is there a sensor in the frig area or someone inside watching me?  All I remember is a defrost timer.  

 

One day, I will buy the carbonator cleaning to clean the condenser...

[johntech]

The thermostat is a sensor. When you open the door room temperature air enters unit and can warm up the sensor and turn on the cooling. Dirty condenser coils will require it to run longer to achieve set temps because it cannot remove the heat from the refrigerant effectivly. I would not use chemicals to clean condenser, I would use a shop vac and a condenser cleaning brush but a baby bottle brush should be sufficient. If frost starts to form on the back wall of the freezer and the refrigerator section starts to warm up then you would need to troubleshoot the defrost system. So clean the coils grab a beer and don't live in fear of the refrigerator monster any more. If it acts up we will help you thru it.