[paradice]

Opps, it is only about a year old.

I experienced the cold freezer warm fridge syndrome in my side by side. Yes, there was lots of ice on the freezer coils and no air flow into the refrigerator. I defrosted it with the ole hair dryer and now air is flowing into the refrigerator. Is there a way to force a defrost cycle?

From what I have read on the board I have a heater coil, bi-metal sensor, or control board problem. What are the testing procedures for the bi-metal sensor?

Mahalo

[paradice]

I was just looking for the test methods for what I believe the easiest to test and replace. Since we defrosted it with a hair dryer last Saturday morning and got it back to temperature it appears to be working. I have not heard it go into the automatic defrost cycle but I am not in the room 24/7. No large amounts of ice are forming yet. I am keeping a close eye on the vents inside the freezer.

Is there a way to force it into a defrost cycle?

Although it is only a little over a year old I bought this second hand and have no warranty.

Stormin

[Ace]

I had a kenmore today, I had to flick the freezer light switch 5 times within 6 seconds, let me know if it works?

[paradice]

Ace

Thanks for the suggestion. I tried this morning and thought it worked because the internal fan and compressor shut off but no defrosting occurred. I think it was a coincidence because this afternoon I tried it again and it continued to run. Since the frost was building up I used the ole hair dryer to keep things moving. I tried slowly pressing the freezer light switch 5 times in within 6 seconds and nothing. I was hoping to force a defrost mode to help trouble shoot. Seeing how this unit is not that old, the bi-metal sensor is the easiest and least expensive to replace and hope for the best. I am open for suggestions.

Mahalo

[PS Volunteer - Appguy]

While the freezer is cold, cut out defrost thermostat and measure resistane, if open, replace, if ok check defrost heater. Temporarily short the wires that went to the defrost thermostat and now force defrost. If no defrost, you have a bad adaptive defrost board.

[paradice]

Ok I will test the bi-metal thermostat. I will do it this weekend when I have more time on my hands.

How do I force a defrost cycle? I tried the suggestion of Ace but it did not force a defrost cycle.

Thank you for the help.

Mahalo

[paradice]

This morning my wife asked if I had used the hair dryer on the refrigerator last night and I said no. She said she heard it defrosting last night, a water trickle and a sizzling sound. I checked the coils in back of the freezer and sure enough they are clear of ice. That says the bi-metal is good, and the heater coils are good. That would lead me to believe the control board is intermittent. Any thoughts?

[PS Volunteer - Appguy]

Defrost thermostats are notorious for being intermittant, just replace it.

[paradice]

Good to go. I take it you mean the bi-metal thermometer. I was wondering if that thing would get stuck and not work from time to time.

Many thanks to ACE and the PS Volunteer - Appguy.

I would still like to know how to force a defrost cycle.

Mahalo

[paradice]

Ok I was going to buy the thermostat from Partselect but they do not service Hawaii. Went to a local parts house, got the thermostat, installed it and I am now waiting to see what happens next. Once it was installed I tested it and it was open (warm). Turned the freezer on and in no time after the cooling started the thermostat closed (short). Time will tell and I will post the results.

Mahalo
Randy