[sadlack]

Hello,

Can't find a post that quite fits our problem.

Neither the refrigerator nor freezer of our Amana are cold enough. Currently set to the highest setting of 7, the freezer is only 32 and the refrigerator is 36. We checked the freezer control dial and it is working fine. We checked the defrost thermostat behind the freezer back panel and aren't sure if it is working (ohm meter moved slightly from infinity, but we weren't sure if this was right or not). We found no ice on the coils behind the freezer panel. I turned the defrost timer manually to defrost and can hear the defrost heaters come on; the timer is turning on its own. The evaporative fan is running. I can hear the compressor come on, but not sure how often - the compressor isn't hot, some copper tubing near it are cold, others are not. We were planning to replace the defrost thermostat, but not sure if this is the problem.

Before this problem started, the fridge stayed cold at low settings, but food in the refrigerator vegetable bins would freeze.

Help!

[woodchuck]

With no ice buildup and defroster working there is nothing wrong with the defrost thermostat. It prevents the heaters from overheating the freezer during defrost. The only thing you haven't mentioned being ok is the condenser fan next to the compressor. It should run when the compressor runs.

[sadlack]

Thank you, Woodchuck, for your reply! The condenser fan does run when the compressor is on. The temps are still steady at 32 and 36. Would you think that the compressor has gone bad or does this sound like a refrigerant leak? Any other possibilities?

Thank you!

[woodchuck]

If the compressor is cycling off and on and freezer isn't reaching the desired temp it could be the cold control or low freon which usually causes an irregular frost pattern on the coils. Check temp control. Refrigerator Repair Guide: How To Test the Temperature Control - ACME HOW TO.com

[sadlack]

Thanks again - we did check the cold control with an ohm meter and it was fine. We aren't seeing any frost pattern on the coils, but maybe I am looking in the wrong place. We looked behind the back of the freezer panel and on the back of the unit.

Thank you.