[Jen]

My Maytag fridge's (it's an extra one that stores drinks) FREEZER isn't cold enough. The lowest temp is 40 degrees. It's been like this for awhile. We stopped using the freezer 2 months ago(we have a deep freeze). Now, it's affecting the fridge.

I have read through your different suggestions through the forums and some other sites. I consider myself fairly handy, but am nervous to proceed since different parts could be in different places on different fridges. I can't find any kind of schematics on this particular fridge to help me visually.

So, what I did do was take the back panel off the freezer section. On the left side is where the ice maker is mounted (we don't use). On the right is some kind of connection (with copper tubing going out of the compartment) that is buried under a block of ice. The coils (more like flat pieces of metal) line up across the bottom portion from left to right. This area looks okay--no ice.

I reread your description of the of the defrost thermostat and I think that's what is in the block of ice. What would cause this particular area to freeze up? I will try to thaw it out and test it, but wondered if it's something else not working that would cause this are to freeze.

Ideas?

[PS Staff - Sheila]

It may be that the fridge is not defrosting.

Before you defrost the block of ice find the defrost timer that is located in the fridge section in the control panel.

All you will see is a little button between two screws.

With the compressor running turn the button until the compressor shuts off.

The fridge will now be in the defrost cycle.

Look in the freezer and see if the ice starts to melt.

If it does you will have to replace the timer.

If it does not you will have to check the heater and the thermostat.

The thermostat can only be check when it is cold.

Here is a link to your fridge model MTB2156BEA.

Here is the defrost timer.



Here is the thermostat.



Here is the defrost heater.