Freezer not staying cold.

[QRTRHRS]

Thanks all for the info. My experiance with refridgerators has been limited to removing the door for proper disposal.

I have not had a chance to look at the fridge today which is a good thing having read more on the thread. It is empty and I do see the panel in the back so tomorrow I will get into it.

The fridge is as I said a Whirlpool. Model #GD5SHGXL01, Serial #SP1747073, manufactured 4/03.

I don't have a manual but an electrical schematic was tucked into the backside of the front grill complete with defrost test mode info. I need to enlarge the schematic on my copier so I can better read the tiny print. It would appear that the defrost control and water filter indicator are together on a circuit board but apart from the ice maker control module.

 

[tallyho8]

Your model is one of the newer ones where the defrost cycle is controlled by an electronic circuit board and not a standard timer. These models are much more difficult for a novice to diagnose than the old non-electronic models.

Still, it is important for us to know if the fan motor in the freezer is running and if there is an ice buildup on the evaporator coils in the freezer section. You can not determine this if you have had the refrigerator turned off for more than a short time.

The defrost test mode info on your schematic may be very helpful.

 

[dmccarty]

Ok guys, yall are doing it again. Fixing another TBNers fridge/freezer.

Should we have a Fridge Freezer Fixit Forum?

Fun to read. Not so much fun to deal with.

Later,
Dan

 

[woodchuckie]

If the heater works and the defrost thermostat works then the problem is the adaptive defrost control. Part 6 in this diagram and parts list. WHIRLPOOL | Model #GD5SHGXLB01 | SIDE-BY-SIDE REFRIGERATOR | CONTROL PARTS | SearsPartsDirect.com
You can test the heater with an ohm meter. It should show continuity. The defrost thermostat should show continuity when cold and none when warm. Y

 

[QRTRHRS]

Your model is one of the newer ones where the defrost cycle is controlled by an electronic circuit board and not a standard timer. These models are much more difficult for a novice to diagnose than the old non-electronic models.

Still, it is important for us to know if the fan motor in the freezer is running and if there is an ice buildup on the evaporator coils in the freezer section. You can not determine this if you have had the refrigerator turned off for more than a short time.

The defrost test mode info on your schematic may be very helpful.

I removed the cover on Monday to expose the coils, etc. The defrost test mode info did not help me too much. I wish I could scan the info to post it verbatim but my printer/copier/fax/etc. is not scanning. (Gotta wait for my stepson, the IT guru to help me with that one)

I had to work the last two days so there was little time to do more but this what I see so far. The fan does work. The coils do ice but the heater must be working because they have melted off. The freezer temperature is varying from around minus 20 to 40 degrees per a fridge thermometer that I placed in it.

I think woodchuckie hit on it being the control. I have off the next two days so will have some time to watch it closer.

 

[Marlowe]

Coincidentally I have a side by side fridge out in the garage that has the same or similar problem. It started acting up a couple of years ago and I did all that I knew to do with it. I cleaned the external coils. That didn't help. I pulled the back panel off inside the freezer and it was all iced up. I thawed that out. It worked OK until the coils iced up again a few days later. My daughter had a fairly new fridge she didn't need so I put hers in the kitchen and hesitated to throw the old one away. I just figured there wasn't much wrong with it. I never thought about there being fridge experts right here. I'll bet I can get that old fridge working again now with all this help.

 

[tallyho8]

Coincidentally I have a side by side fridge out in the garage that has the same or similar problem. It started acting up a couple of years ago and I did all that I knew to do with it. I cleaned the external coils. That didn't help. I pulled the back panel off inside the freezer and it was all iced up. I thawed that out. It worked OK until the coils iced up again a few days later. My daughter had a fairly new fridge she didn't need so I put hers in the kitchen and hesitated to throw the old one away. I just figured there wasn't much wrong with it. I never thought about there being fridge experts right here. I'll bet I can get that old fridge working again now with all this help.

We'll be glad to try to help you if you give us some info. Old units are usually easier to diagnose than newer ones.

 

[kthompson]

Not sure on the circuit board models but on the timer units you can do a quick and easy test on the total defrost system without removing any panels other than the cover on the bottom front of the unit. Turn the timer until you do get the "click" where it is goes into the defrost cycle and watch the drain hose..if no water of any amount comes out into the drain pan, there probably is an issue. One over looked can be clogged drain not allowing water to drain. If any water is in the drain pan or runs into it, probably the defrost system is working. As to the warmth around the doors that probably is a heater to prevent or evaporate condensation around the doors. If is fighting the cooling of your unit and if you have a switch for it turn it off if moisture there is no problem. You could also have an issue with the compressor system itself. Do you hear clicks coming from the area of the compressor a few times and it not starting up? Be sure you have totally clean the coils under it and if a fan under there it is also running when unit is. Have a freezer a few years back that stopped cooling, very simple my daughter had stood some folded cardboard boxes up against it blocking the air flow.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I am pretty sure now that I have a control problem. The last few days, each time that I briefly checked, the freezer was minus 20. There seems to be no rime or reason to it warming and cooling. I will be home the next two so will be monitoring it closer.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Just a little update in case anyone is still following this thread. Been working alot but each time I check on the freezer lately, it has been around minus 20 degrees on a medium setting with nothing in it. I was hoping it would mess up more so I could see something, go figure.