[laura]

our freezer keeps frosting up and it seems to block the cold air to the fridge. the fridge is on the coldest temp and is not very cold. it seems that the freezer has been running nonstop for the past few weeks. i have defrosted the freezer multiple times and the fridge seems to cool for a week or so until the freezer frosts up again on the back wall.

[PS Staff - Sheila]

There is a problem with the defrost cycle.

It could be the defrost timer.

It could be the defrost heater.

It could be the defrost bi metal.

The defrost timer is in the control panel in the fridge section.

While the fridge compressor is running turn the button of the defrost timer until the compressor shuts off.

You can use a screwdriver to turn this button.

The defrost cycle take about 20 minutes.

Open the freezer door and you will likely hear the sound of the water dripping.

If you can hear this you will need a new defrost timer.

After the 20 minutes you will have the manually turn the button again to get the fridge running.

If this does not happen then it is either the defrost heater or bi metal and you have to check these with a meter.

The bi metal can only be check when it is cold.

Here is a link to your fridge model MTF2191ARW.

[laura]

Ok. We followed the instructions above and turned off our defrost timer to test it. When we did this, we heard the water dripping, so we are assuming it is our defrost timer. The only problem is that we did not have to manually turn the defrost timer back on to get the fridge to start working again. The defrost timer turned back on itself and the fridge started running again on its own.

Does this mean the problem is not with our defrost timer, but rather the defrost heater or bi metals?

[laura]

Ok. We followed the instructions above and turned off our defrost timer to test it. When we did this, we heard the water dripping, so we are assuming it is our defrost timer. The only problem is that we did not have to manually turn the defrost timer back on to get the fridge to start working again. The defrost timer turned back on itself and the fridge started running again on its own.

Does this mean the problem is not with our defrost timer, but rather the defrost heater or bi metals?

Thank you for your help.

-Laura