[Rivergoat]

After a power problem at the house where a neutral line was damaged, causing some electrical outlets to go double voltage the fridge has been having problems. I shut it down as soon as I was aware of the power issue. Once corrected and powered back on it was not getting cold enough in either the food or freezer sections. Shutting down, cleaning the coils, replacing the defroster timer and generally re-checking brought it back up, but not much better. Suspecting the evaporator fan may have fried I did pull the air tunnel out of the freezer section until being able to do exploratory surgery. The food section returned to acceptable cold levels, the freezer got quite cold, but began building up heavy amounts of frost. Am I on the right track that I suspect the evaporator fan? I have the parts diagram, and will see about figuring how to disassemble to get to it. I know to use an ohmmeter across the fan terminals to look for a short in its windings. If found, I'll bet that's the problem, but thought I'd throw it around herer for any other thoughts/advice.

TIA

[woodchuck]

The evaporator fan will not cause the frost buildup. The fan circulates the cold air in the freezer and sends it to the fridge. If it's not working the entire unit will not be cold enough. Excess moist air and a bad seal on door gaskets will cause the buildup. The defrost system melts this buildup about every 8 hours for 20 minutes.

[Rivergoat]

Well, in normal circles I might agree with you. However, the problem, as stated, began after the house's neutral line was damaged and the fridge was hit with nearly 200vac. Yesterday I was able to disassemble and found the evaporator fan read open across its contacts with an ohmmeter. Prior to removing the vent tunnel from the rear of the freezer, neither the freezer nor food compartment stayed cold enough. I should have a replacement fan in a day or two and will see how things work after that. the door seals look fine.

[kayakcrzy]

There are three things that make the freezer freeze up, and they are a Defrost timer, a defrost thermostat, and a defrost heter. I will be 1 or 2 of the 3. If you have a meter, you can check the heater, and the defrost thermostat for continuity. If you need further help, you can reach me at my website at ApplianceEducator.com Tom

[Rivergoat]

Defrost timer was replaced.

Today I put in a new evaporator fan. Yes, the old one was kaput, the terminals tested open with an ohmmeter, and the new one tests continuity between the terminals. Reassembled everything, fired it up and it sounds great. I can sure hear the new fan now, perhaps even the old one was weak before the power surge took it out.

It's been running for about 3 hours now. The freezer is making ice cubes, and not creating any undue frost. The food section seems fine, temp at mid-30s. I'll know more by the morning.

I think the issue of frost was, as I mentioned, that when I removed the vent tunnel from the freezer it changed characteristics of the cold environment, even without a working evaporator fan. Had I left the tunnel on, the freezer was not getting cold enough as best as I could tell.

I'll post another follow up tomorrow, but it appears to be working again....and a lot cheaper than replacing the whole unit, or even having someone make a house call on it

[kayakcrzy]

I am glad you got. It is nice to save money. tom ApplianceEducator.com

[Rivergoat]

Yes, all fixed . I looked this morning and no frost, great ice cubes in the tray, and the food section plenty cold. Probably working even better than before, I'll bet that fan was getting weak anyway....