Kitchen Large Electric Appliances - Kenmore Fridge Cools but Runs 90% of the time, photos attached

I've been living in my first house for 5 years (in Texas). When I moved in, I purchased a new Kenmore refridgerator from the Sears outlet.

For a long time I have been trying to figure out why my electric bill is higher than expected, even in the winter when the AC is not in use. While discussing this with a fellow engineer, it came up that my fridge should be cycling on and off, and I was pretty sure that mine rarely does. I had thought it was normal that my fridge was constantly running. I've been keeping an eye on it for a few weeks and it definitely seems to be running 90% of the time. I can make it turn off by turning the dial to a lower temp, but when I leave it at a little below medium I get this behavior.

That being said, the fridge is cold and I have never had a complaint about it. I removed the inside cover and took some photos of the coils and those are attached below. I've read this group and others and didn't get a good sense of what these coils should look like. However, they are only frostly at the bottom and I am wondering if this is a problem such that my fridge can cool but just barely and just never gets to turn off for long.

I would appreciate any feedback. Please take a look at the photos and let me know if you think there could be a problem with with my compressor or lack of refridgerant. Any other comments would be appreciated.

And yes, I've cleaned the coils underneath my fridge periodically and it does not make a difference.

Here is the model information for my fridge:
25 cu kenmore
Model 58582890
Serial sh4540728
Mfg 11-98

Full Coils (http://www.krontz.com/krontz/jeoff/house/fridge/fridge_4.jpg)
Top (http://www.krontz.com/krontz/jeoff/house/fridge/fridge_4.jpg)
Middle (http://www.krontz.com/krontz/jeoff/house/fridge/fridge_4.jpg)
Bottom (http://www.krontz.com/krontz/jeoff/house/fridge/fridge_4.jpg)

Thanks,
Jeoff

Hello: Jeoff

I am not an electric appliances tech. I suspect the refridgerator is low on refrigerant. Which is likely indicated by the frosting up of the coils. Common condition with air conditioners low on refrigerant.

The codes allowing links to appear when site addresses are included is turned off in this topic as a result of not having a moderator. However, the below link addresses to helpful info may or may not be found here:

Electric Appliance Parts & Repair:
Sears Home Page:
http://www.sears.com

Sears Search By Model Number Page:
http://www3.sears.com

Whirlpool's Home Web Site: (Also makes appliances for Sears)
http://www.whirlpool.com

Possible additional help sites from the sponsors and or advertisers.
Appliance Parts, Pictures & Help:
http://www.PartSelect.com

Appliances Parts & Help:
http://www.pcappliancerepair.com

Kitchen Appliance Parts:
http://www.parts-depot.online.com

Search the manufacturers web site for a downloadable version of the owners or service manual. The file will be a pdf file opened with Adobe, which also needs to be downloaded first but worth having once obtained.

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