Kitchen Large Electric Appliances - 1989 Hotpoint Refrigerator Intermittent
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Ganon
03-05-06, 10:36 AM
I just purchased a home and it came with a 1989 Hotpoint (by GE) refridgerator, I beleive it is 17 cu ft. I'm not at home so I dont have the model number.
I plugged it in to make sure it will work ok, I put 3 cases of soda in the fridge, and made ice in the freezer. I purchased a fridge thermometer to keep an eye on the temperatures. On the factory initial settings the temperatures have been in "good" range on the thermometer. However on day 7, I noticed the fridge had failed to start for a while. The freezer is self defrosting so I thought maybe it was in its defrost cycle, so I let it sit for an hour but still no go. Eventually the freezer got up to 65 degrees as well as the fridge, and the unit still wasnt kicking on. I unplugged it for an hour, thinking maybe there was a timed circuit breaker that needed to be reset (like an air conditioner) but still no go. I let the fridge sit for another 3 hours plugged in...and magically it turned on and was blowing nice cold air...
I'd like to purchase a less deep energy efficient model...but I dont really want to spend the money yet...however I dont want any food randomly getting room temperature and then being cooled back down...spoiled, and me not knowing it.
I personally think it is a thermostat or a switch, or maybe there is a thermal shut off? the compressor area looks pretty dusty and I havent yet gotten to cleaning it out. Anyone else have this problem or farmiliar with it?
I plugged it in to make sure it will work ok, I put 3 cases of soda in the fridge, and made ice in the freezer. I purchased a fridge thermometer to keep an eye on the temperatures. On the factory initial settings the temperatures have been in "good" range on the thermometer. However on day 7, I noticed the fridge had failed to start for a while. The freezer is self defrosting so I thought maybe it was in its defrost cycle, so I let it sit for an hour but still no go. Eventually the freezer got up to 65 degrees as well as the fridge, and the unit still wasnt kicking on. I unplugged it for an hour, thinking maybe there was a timed circuit breaker that needed to be reset (like an air conditioner) but still no go. I let the fridge sit for another 3 hours plugged in...and magically it turned on and was blowing nice cold air...
I'd like to purchase a less deep energy efficient model...but I dont really want to spend the money yet...however I dont want any food randomly getting room temperature and then being cooled back down...spoiled, and me not knowing it.
I personally think it is a thermostat or a switch, or maybe there is a thermal shut off? the compressor area looks pretty dusty and I havent yet gotten to cleaning it out. Anyone else have this problem or farmiliar with it?
Gmaxx
03-05-06, 11:22 AM
“I personally think it is a thermostat or a switch, or maybe there is a thermal shut off? the compressor area looks pretty dusty and I havent yet gotten to cleaning it out. Anyone else have this problem or farmiliar with it?”
That’s possible but something else that could have happened was that the unit got
stuck in defrost cycle which is a bit more common. It went into defrost and didn’t come out when it was supposed to. This is controlled by a small mechanical timer.
I would need the full model number to attempt to give you any other details.
That’s possible but something else that could have happened was that the unit got
stuck in defrost cycle which is a bit more common. It went into defrost and didn’t come out when it was supposed to. This is controlled by a small mechanical timer.
I would need the full model number to attempt to give you any other details.
Ganon
03-05-06, 09:35 PM
The model number is CTX18ELG
The serial number is MA 586734
I've worked on Microwaves, Ranges, Washers, Dryers, ect... have never had
to look at a fridge though.
The serial number is MA 586734
I've worked on Microwaves, Ranges, Washers, Dryers, ect... have never had
to look at a fridge though.
Gmaxx
03-06-06, 10:12 AM
“let it sit for an hour but still no go. Eventually the freezer got up to 65 degrees as well as the fridge, and the unit still wasnt kicking on. I unplugged it for an hour, thinking maybe there was a timed circuit breaker that needed to be reset (like an air conditioner) but still no go. I let the fridge sit for another 3 hours plugged in...and magically it turned on and was blowing nice cold air...”
Make sure all of the fans are working ok.
The next time it starts acting up like this try turning up the thermostat to see if it will turn on. Sometimes I’ve been able to just give the thermostat a good solid tap and the unit would come on. If it does then you need to replace it. But only If it acting up in the same way you described. The next thing to try would be to turn the small knob on the defrost timer. If the unit comes on then its more than likely sticking in defrost cycle. The timer should be in the same area as the thermostat. There may be a small round plastic plug covering up the hole where the knob is at. Here’s a breakdown…
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c264/Genx65/00002676i02.jpg
Its number 648
Make sure all of the fans are working ok.
The next time it starts acting up like this try turning up the thermostat to see if it will turn on. Sometimes I’ve been able to just give the thermostat a good solid tap and the unit would come on. If it does then you need to replace it. But only If it acting up in the same way you described. The next thing to try would be to turn the small knob on the defrost timer. If the unit comes on then its more than likely sticking in defrost cycle. The timer should be in the same area as the thermostat. There may be a small round plastic plug covering up the hole where the knob is at. Here’s a breakdown…
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c264/Genx65/00002676i02.jpg
Its number 648
Ganon
03-06-06, 02:46 PM
I had tried to turn the thermostat up and it didnt start the fridge, I also took the plastic cover off and gave it a few whacks the day it died. I'm assuming its the defrost timer, I never knew they were a mechanical timer, let alone even think about how it would work. If it acts up again I will take an axe to the defrost timer (kidding). I found a new timer for $30, this sounds like a fair price to me, maybe I'll pick it up now just incase it happens again. Thanks for you help!
Also, I mentioned that Whirlpool Fridge. It is an energy star unit and states $31/Year to run. I realize this is just estimated, but how much electricty do you think I would save with this unit, compared to this aging Hotpoint?
Link to Whirlpool; http://whirlpool.jgsullivan.com/specs/SpecsInternal.cgi?Model=ET5WSEXKQ&Source=cart
Also, I mentioned that Whirlpool Fridge. It is an energy star unit and states $31/Year to run. I realize this is just estimated, but how much electricty do you think I would save with this unit, compared to this aging Hotpoint?
Link to Whirlpool; http://whirlpool.jgsullivan.com/specs/SpecsInternal.cgi?Model=ET5WSEXKQ&Source=cart
Gmaxx
03-06-06, 03:04 PM
"Also, I mentioned that Whirlpool Fridge. It is an energy star unit and states $31/Year to run. I realize this is just estimated, but how much electricty do you think I would save with this unit, compared to this aging Hotpoint?"
I’m sure you would save some.
Whether it’s enough to justify a new purchase would be hard to tell. In this area I rarely ever seen anyone replace a frig because of its yearly operating cost. The dominate philosophy is as long as it works then it stays. Unless they are remodeling the kitchen.
I’m sure you would save some.
Whether it’s enough to justify a new purchase would be hard to tell. In this area I rarely ever seen anyone replace a frig because of its yearly operating cost. The dominate philosophy is as long as it works then it stays. Unless they are remodeling the kitchen.