[gabhroo]

Hi - I have a GE Profile refrigerator that his not keeping the fridge cool. The freezer seems fine.

Model: PDS22SBNBS - top fridge, bottom freezer
S/N: TD021307
Age: Approx 4-5 yrs (couldn't select that from the drop down)

I have vaccumed the coil (located on bottom of unit), I have also vaccumed the rear compressor and fan area. The fan is spinning when the unit is plugged in, and freezer does get cold.

I'd like to try a few things tonight before calling the appliance repair man.

My thinking is to make sure the air flow from freezer to fridge is clear - but I'm not sure where to look. Do I remove more of my back panel on the back side of the unit, or is this something that on the inside. I'll also check my drain, I didn't see any water in the drip plate in the rear of the unit when I was vaccuming it...

Any suggestions?

[woodchuck]

If you can find the fan in the back of the freezer, it will be blowing air through the vent to the fridge. It may be behind a cover. It will also have vents to blow air into the freezer.
It doesn't sound like you have a drain problem.

[kayakcrzy]

gabhroo, Open the frezzer door and look on the back wall, and see if you have a frost build up. If you do you have a defrost problem. Do you hear the fan runing in the frezzer. If you do, you definely have a defrost problem. If you have a meter, I would be able to tell you which part is bad. Timer possibly. Defrost Heater, doubt it Defrost thermostat possibly. If you have frost it is one or two of the three. If you want me to walk you through it without a repairman, let me know. It is no big deal. You can reach me at my website at ApplianceEducator.com Tom

[gabhroo]

I just got home and checked. The freezer has "some" frost build up - but its like 1/8" thick. I'm trying to remove the back panel - but don't know how to get the freezer drawer out . I unscrew the 4 nuts... indy

<<<Update #1>>>

I was able to pull the bottom door off, verified that the fan in the back of the freezer area is acutally blowing air upward into the fridge. Note, we got back from vaction about a 1 week ago, and a bottle of Tonic Water (small 1/2 liter) was found to be partially frozen in the fridge. Not sure if that means anything of just a conincendence...

<<<Update #2>>>

Well is was able to pull the door out, and remove enough of the back panel to expose the "unit" in the back that looks like a "radiator" - it was iced up... Not sure what happened, but my wife did mention the freezer "somehow" got set to "9/Max"... So i cleared the ice using a hair dryer - cleaned the freezer in the process. and Turned unit back on. Right now it's blowing cool air into the fridge - hopefully this was the issue.

I'd like to test our the thermostat and defroster - any details on how to do this would be much appreciated.

[allazektser]

There is a connection between the freezer and the fridge somewhere in the upper back. Find it and try to define if it is filled with ice - so it was with my refrigerator. Make the ice thaw and your frdge will be OK.
Good luck

[kayakcrzy]

gabhroo, Yes, I can accuratly tell you how to check them take the back off again, and at the top of the coil, you will see the defrost thermostat. Put your meter on ohms, and check for continuity. If you get it, its good. Most times that is the problem, what I have found is they act erratic, when they are on the way out. So even if it checks good. That does not mean it is good. Keep that in the back of your mind. Personally, as cheap as that part is I would just replace it. To check the heater, pull the two wires off of it, and check for continuity. If you get it there, the heater is good. If you would like to check the timer, unplug the timer, and take it out of the bracket, so you can check it. When you look at the terminals, there will be three in a row, and 1 off to the other side. turn the dial on the timer till it clicks. that will be the defrost spot on the timer. Cam it around a few times, and get the feel of it. You will be turning and turning, and then click! stop there put you meter lead on the two end terminals, and you should get a reading. There you have it boy's and girls. Gabhroo, now that you can check this out, I have a job for you as a service tech. Tom ApplianceEducator.com

[gabhroo]

As you guys pointed out earlier, my frost issue came back! So, I finally figured out how to fully remove the back panel - defrosted the ice w/ a hair dryer, and started to probe around. The only device I really could find was the Defrost TERM - little round thing attached to copper pipe w/ brown an orange wire. Not sure what this is, but it appeared to have water inside, and can be split into two pieces (numbers 1 & 3 were on both sides)...

I removed this, and ohm'd the TERM and seems to be "fine". But if I just ohm the brown to orange wire, I get nothing.

I could however not find a defrost timer! I removed my ice maker, which may be where the defrost timer is - but on the front dial, it says DO NOT TURN MANUALLY.

Much help would be appreciated.

-indy

[kayakcrzy]

Gabhroo, just replace the the timer and the defrost thermostat, and be done with it DUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tom

[woodchuck]

Part 826 on this diagram. GE Appliance PDS22SBNBS Parts List Looks like it's behind the plastic covering around the temp. adjustment in the fridge. Test it here if you like. Refrigerator Repair Guide: How To Test the Defrost Timer - ACME HOW TO.com

[Nicky021]

OK...so I have a similar problem...
My fridge isn't cold..but my freezer is working...
I vacummed out the fan etc in the back of the fridge...
and unplugged and re-plugged the fridge...
Still no cold air in the fridge

I read this thread..and checked for ice in teh fridge or freezer...no ice..
Now what?

Help