PSS26SGPA GE Fridge won't shut off

[Mark52]

As of today, my GE Arctica  fridge has been running all day. The temps are set at the default 0/37 and are showing that on the display. I put a temp probe in the freezer though, and it says 17 below zero and dropping. The fridge side is not freezing food or anything though. I have not heard a defrost cycle either, but the freezer fan is moving air fine and no signs of ice.

Should I unplug it for a few minutes? Suggestions are appreciated.

Mark

[Mark52]

I threw the breaker for 15 minutes, and turned it back on. Hours later it is still running, and no defrost cycle has taken place. Is there a way to 'reset' the main board, or to force a defrost cycle?

I know it's going to start freezing up soon, and my temps will start to rise.

Any ideas,....anyone?

[16345Ed]

First step troubleshooting GE (and most Refrigerators) is recording cabinet temperatures and testing the thermistors. Then a check of defrost system functionality and the damper. 

If damper is not opening your refrigerator will ask compressor to keep running because refrigerator thermistor is not satisfied. 

I believe this is unit you need special service user interface to run diagnostics and force defrost  

 

[Mark52]

The refrigerator section is reading 35 degrees on the touch pad, the freezer is reading between 0 and 2 degrees on the display. Everything is plenty cold, it just won't shut off, or go into a defrost. I'm shocked it hasn't frozen solid by now, and risen way up in temperature.

I thought these motherboards had test pins that you could short to initiate a defrost? Unfortunately, I have been unable to find a technical manual on my appliance, so I have nothing hard to go on.

[16345Ed]

7 hours ago, Mark52 said:

The refrigerator section is reading 35 degrees on the touch pad, the freezer is reading between 0 and 2 degrees on the display. Everything is plenty cold, it just won't shut off, or go into a defrost. I'm shocked it hasn't frozen solid by now, and risen way up in temperature.

I thought these motherboards had test pins that you could short to initiate a defrost? Unfortunately, I have been unable to find a technical manual on my appliance, so I have nothing hard to go on.

Doesn’t matter what display says temperature is. You need to get independent readings with another temperature reading device. Then test the thermistors. 

Not going into defrost should not make compressor run continuously. 

I’d be very interested in seeing frost pattern on evaporator or getting a temperature reading from condenser to check state of sealed system. 

[Mark52]

I have a UEI DT20A temp tester in it now, and the freezer is reading -6.4, the fridge is at 37.6 and it's currently running. Between my last post and now, it has cycled off a few times, but no defrost that I have been able to catch,....and I have been watching it pretty closely.

As far as condenser air temp, all I can say is there is 'heat rejection' coming out the front grille. I cleaned the condenser fan and coil last summer, so it should be pretty clean still.

I would like to see the evap coil as well, but the freezer is pretty full, and I have no deep freeze to store it in while I try and tear the panels out with my lousy back. I'm afraid it would take me too long basically.

I probably should just bite the bullet and get a new fridge this week. The GE still looks new inside and out, but it IS almost 15 years old now that I think about it.

What exactly controls the defrost cycle on this box? Is it running time based,....or time/temp based,.....or strictly controlled by that wonderful motherboard in the back? BTW,.....thanks for the help!

 

[16345Ed]

Oh, I was understanding that the compressor never quits.  

Did you see Refrigerator temps warm up previously?

 

Yes motherboard controls defrost cycles. 

If heater and thermostat good. A new board should fix it. 

[Mark52]

Originally the compressor was not shutting off. It ran for 24 hours minimum before turning off the first time. The temps were fine when it was running continuous (in terms of not getting too warm). The freezer just kept getting colder and colder, and got as low as -22 at one point on my tester, but only 35 in the fridge.

Anyway, it is turning on and off now on a regular basis, but I have still not witnessed a defrost cycle as I usually do each day. This thing HAS to be defrosting at some point, or I would have nothing but a wall of ice by now, or at least I would think that would be the case.

I'm just letting it do it's thing for now, and keeping an eye on the temps. I plan on starting to look for a new fridge by the weekend. Any suggestions for a high quality replacement?

Thanks once more for your help, and input.