[bcforrester]

Hello,

I have a problem with the evaporator frosting causing restricted airflow to the fridge. It was at the point of no air flow. After completely defrosting 5 days ago it (it was totally blocked by frost/snow right up to the return air flow from the fridge) the operation returned to normal. That is the fridge was cold again. However, today I noticed restricted air flow once again. Upon inspection, the frost is back. The entire evaporator was heavily frosted and there was snow about half way up the air return section.
I am wondering if this is something that I can fix? Is it the evaporator heater (this was also totally iced over)? Is it the bimetal? Or something else? How can I test to see what part I need? Thanks in advance.

Bruce

[PS Staff - Sheila]

It could be your defrost timer or heater or your bi metal.

To see if the heater and bi metal are working locate the defrost timer the bottom corner of the fridge under the freezer drawer.

With the compressor running turn the knob on the time until the compressor shuts off.

The fridge is now in the defrost cycle.

Watch and see if the ice melts.

If it melts the heater and bi metal are fine.

You will have to replace the timer.

Turn the knob on the timer again until the compressor starts back up.

Here is a link to your fridge model kbrs22kkwh00.

[bcforrester]

Sheila,

Ok turned defrost timer and compressor stopped. Waited 15 min and nothing melted. Heater was still very cold to the touch. Do both the bi-metal and heater need to be replaced? Something else that could be the problem? Is there a simple test I could do to determine if its bi-metal or heater - or will both need to be replaced? Thanks again in advance!

[PS Volunteer - Appguy]

I think your defrost heater is steel encased, if so it is rare they blow and when they blow they go with a lot of smoke & debree. Just replace thermostat. I cut out the old thermostat and short the wires, then turn control to defrost and verify defrost heater is working.

[PS Staff - Sheila]

Was the fridge cold when you put it into the defrost cycle or had you already defrosted it?

[bcforrester]

I had defrosted it but it was cold again and there was some frost on the cooling fins and on the tubing. Nothing melted when I turned the timer to start the defrost cycle.

[PS Staff - Sheila]

If the freezer was not down to operating temperature the heater would not come on because the thermostat would have been opened.

If it was at operating temperature then you have a problem with the heater or bi metal thermostat.

It would take at least 12 hours to get to operating temperature.

Wait until the fridge is at operating temperature and try it again.