Kenmore Fridge Warm and Freezer Won't Freeze

[FloridaClay]

My freezer gets cold but it won't freeze and the fridge is warmer than the temp it is set for. Also, it doesn't seem to have any air flow inside the fridge when it is opened. I've checked the condenser fan and it is running and the condenser is clean. The compressor is running but it seems to be doing some type of short-cycle surging every couple seconds. I've uploaded audio of the sound of the surging (there's no video because it was too dark to see anything behind the fridge). If you turn your speakers up and listen closely, you can make out the surging:Compressor Surging

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.  

[johntech]

Need model number. Is there snow build up on the back wall of freezer or fresh food compartment?

[FloridaClay]

The model number tag on the inside of the fridge has deteriorated to where I can't read the number. I know the number is 71019 and I believe the model number is 795.71019011 but not exactly sure. Other than inside the refrigerator, is there somewhere else I can find the model number?

I don't see any frost/snow/ice on the inside of the fridge.

There's something different about the inside of the fridge but I can't quite put my finger on it. It's cold enough to keep milk from spoiling  much sooner than it normally would, but it's kind of stale and it's not as cold as you normally would expect. As I previously mentioned, the freezer won't freeze and it appears to gets about the same temperature as the fridge.     

 

 

[abaesemann]

How about frost or snow on the back wall of the freezer?

How warm is compressor?

How warm are coils next to compressor?

[FloridaClay]

No frost anywhere. The compressor is hot to the touch and the coils are a little warmer than room temperature. 

[skintdigit]

sounds like your evaporator may be ice-plugged due to a failure in the defrost system. Surging you are hearing may be from a bit of liquid refrigerant getting to the compressor(refrigerant should be only in a gaseous state when it gets to compressor in a normally operating system). Take the back off of the inside of the freezer compartment and look at the evaporator coil. If it is a solid block of ice, then there's your problem. A component in the defrost system has failed. Ice blockage allows very little airflow into the fresh food compartment.

[skintdigit]

Thaw out the ice blockage and diagnose the defrost heater, defrost terminator and timer system(if your fridge has these older-style defrost components).

[FloridaClay]

Thanks skintdigit (like the name, by the way) for the information. This fridge is the french door with the freezer on the bottom. Do you happen to know if the access door is in the fridge or the freezer? 

[abaesemann]

Need to remove everything from freezer and then remove the back wall inside the freezer to check frost or ice buildup on coils

[skintdigit]

As abaesemann notes, there is not really an access door present. You'll need to remove the drawer and get to the fasteners that hold the back of the freezer compartment in place. If this fridge has an electronic display panel, was there an error code? If you'll locate the tech sheet for the unit(under front grill or on back of fridge), there will be some diagnostic procedures there that may save you time. Your fridge will not have a timer, it uses a control board to determine defrost function. Get the freezer back panel off and have a look at the evaporator coil. There will be wiring connectors exposed once the cover is removed, so unplug the unit before you begin removing fasteners or proceed with extreme care. 

[FloridaClay]

Okay, when I look at the evaporator there is an accumulation of ice in the top right corner as the freon lines enter the inside of the fridge (sorry for the poor lighting):

Evaporator 

The evaporator has no ice on it at all. Any ideas as to what can be wrong? Could it be the compressor? 

[abaesemann]

You have a sealed system problem, depending on your warranty you need to call a service company.

[FloridaClay]

I have no warranty on it. I'm just trying to figure out if I should pay a service tech or junk it. Is the sealed system the compressor?

[abaesemann]

Possibly compressor, low on refrigerant and that means a leak and possibly a restriction, will be a costly repair on any of them.

[Hiroshi]

JUNK IT

[FloridaClay]

1 hour ago, Hiroshi said:

JUNK IT

Got it, thank you my friend! Thanks for the straight talk.

[BradE]

That's an LG fridge. Possibly have 10 year warranty on compressor. Call Sears and at least check.

[johntech]

Lg sold this one to kenmore and kenmore warranty applies. 1-5 year for defects when installed properly.