[joel]

i called whirlpool and the lady said the defrost cycle may last 5 days.but should it be hot to the touch?it is only hot on the front edge of the fridge side top to bottom.

[PS Staff - Sheila]

When you say the front edge do you mean between the two doors?

The defrost cycle only lasts for 20 minutes.

There may be a dust and hair build up under the fridge in the condenser.

Remove the front kick plate and vacuum out the coils.

It may help to pull the fridge out and vacuum the back part of the coils too.

This should cure the problem but it will stay warm.

This is to keep condensation from forming between the doors.

[Falcon]

In reading this post, I have the same problem. The wall between the RC and the FC is very HOT. After cleaning the coils replacing the start relay cuz it was fried I thought I had my problem fixed (quit cooling). Totaly cleaned unit putting shelves back in and touched my arm to the side and it burned. Didn't leave mark but the box was very very Hot. I could smell the heat and was concerned enough to turn it off. This was also getting very hot before the compressor quit compressing.
This is a Kenmore Side by side Model 106.50582001 6.5 years old. I know they get warm during the defrost cycle but not this warm. Question what and how to check. I am also wondering if this caused the start relay to fry or visa-versa. I am replying to an old thread and I am not sure if this is the way I should do this or not but I am going to post it as a new question as well. sorry if this isn't proper procedure.