[Rob in FL]

I'm looking for some expertise to help me figure out why my GE side-by-side freezer/fridge is running so much.

I'm renting and just moved in 3 weeks ago. When I arrived, the fridge was unplugged. Shortly after plugging it in, I found that it was running for very long periods of time (over an hour straight has been common) and it seems to kick back on after be off for only a few minutes. I was also finding puddles of water on the floor.

After doing a little research, I learned that the defrost drain was the likely cause of the puddle. I removed the drain and found that it was completely plugged. I cleared the drain and removed the back panel in the freezer - the coils there was lightly frosted, but I didn't see anything unusual. I also found that the coils under the fridge were covered in a heavy layer of dust - so I cleaned that as well.

Cleaning the defrost drain seems to have solved the leak problem, but I'm finding that the fridge is still running all the time. I seems to shut off for 15-20 intervals, and then kick on and run for more than an hour straight. It's running all hours of the day - even in the middle of the night when no one has opened the door for awhile. The temperature in both the freezer and fridge seems fine - the food is staying frozen/cold. I've read a little about possibly needing the change a thermostat or a defrost timer - but I'm not if that would be my next step? If so, I need to figure where and how...

Thanks for any advice you can provide,
Rob

[woodchuck]

Not the defrost timer. That just starts the defrost cycle and stops it. If it has to run that much to maintain the selected temp it could have a freon leak. If it's low you will have an uneven frost pattern on the coils.

Check the temp with an thermometer to see if it might be the freezer thermostat control.