[dbayducks]

Hi-
Our Ice maker slowly stopped making Ice...insides of cubes were hollow - then stopped altogether. The ice bin area does not seem that cold. The top shelf of the freezer door is not freezing either. The rest of the freezer has all it's packages frozen. I have been able to make ice in trays on the top shelf of the freezer section. The refridgerator (inside the bins) is freezing the veggies...the area with shelves doesn't seem to be as cold as it should be. Any help would be appreciated.
The fridge is about 10 years old. We had the ice maker replaced at about 4 years old. Any ideas?

[woodchuck]

Make sure the evaporator fan is running and that the evaporator coils below the fan are not iced up. It sounds like an air circulation problem. Are the vents between fridge and freezer clear.

[dbayducks]

I went through the freezer and cleared the vent more than it was. Where is the vent in the refridgerator? If it is on the top shelf back side then it is clear. There was Ice on the freezer vent, but I didn't see any behind the vent.
How do I check the evap. fan...will it just come on by having the door open? or is there a way to trigger it?
Thanks!

[abbiesmama]

I have the EXACT same problem you do! The ice cubes were hollow then stopped, then the vegetable bins started freezing and the side by side freezer has stopped cooling well, the top part is warm and things are thawing but the bottom is still cold. I just got everything out of my freezer to try to clear any blocks, but any advice would be really really helpful! Also with ours, the water dispenser stopped working a couple times but then worked again. I think maybe the water line froze up for a few days and that is what caused it. But it is odd! Our refrigerator is only 4 years old, and it was a Consumer Reports best buy recommendation!
Would love some help, too, and best of luck with yours!

[woodchuck]

The evaporator won't run when the door is open so you'll have to hold the switch like the door is closed and the fan should run if the freezer hasn't reached the desired temp. yet.

You will also have a vent near the bottom near the crispers.

[dbayducks]

Thanks!


I can't tell if the fan is running or not. It looks like the evap. fan is located behind the ice maker. If I take the ice maker out will the fan still run? I am assuming it will, but I just want to double check.

Thanks!

I pulled the ice maker down so I have a clear view of the fan. It is not running. Any ideas? Also, I am not sure if this has anything to do with it or not...A while ago we stopped getting water out of the water dispenser on the door. The ice maker worked, but not water. We had plenty of ice up until a few days ago.
Thanks!

[woodchuck]

Test the fan here..Refrigerator Repair Guide: How To Test the Evaporator Fan - ACME HOW TO.com

Your water supply problem is a different problem, possibly water inlet valve. check here. Refrigerator Repair Guide: How to Check the Water Inlet Valve - ACME HOW TO.com

[dbayducks]

I took the fan motor out and tested it. I want to clarify the results...the testing instructions say to set the multitester at the 1x ohm setting...on my multi tester I have a dial that I can turn to the Ohm section...there are a few different settings in the ohm section (200 , 2000 , 20K, 200k, 2000k - nothing that says 1x) When I set it to each of them I start with a reading of 1 before touching the motor. When I touch the motor the reading does not change it still says 1. Can you help me interpret the results?
Thanks!

[woodchuck]

If you touch your two leads together on the meter does it move. If the meter moves then the fan failed that test. You may have an adjustment on the meter to set to zero. If you have the means to do it , I like to (safely) connect the fan to an outside power source to see if it works.

[dbayducks]

Thanks Woodchuck!
I did touch the 2 probes together & the values did change so the evap fan motor is bad. I appreciate all your help! I am usually very capable when it comes to household repairs, but this meter & major appliances are new to me.
Thanks for helping me over the hurdle!