Kitchen Large Electric Appliances - Kenmore Fridge/Freezer not cooling, fans not turning
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wcsoft
05-20-08, 08:27 PM
Hey everyone. Hopefully I can get a bit of help here before I pull my hair out. I've done some research to eliminate as many problems as I can.
I have a Kenmore 596.58695890 Side by Side Fridge/Freezer. This morning I noticed that some things in the top part of the freezer were thawing out and the fridge wasn't as cold as it should be.
Did some research, removed the back panel from inside the freezer, and there was a defnite frost buildup all over everything. Defrosted everything with a hair dryer.
I found the defrost timer on the bottom of the freezer and advanced it by hand until the compressor stopped running at which point I could definitely feel some heat coming from the panel as I should have.
So, I turned the timer around again to turn the compressor b ack on. I turned it just to where it should go into defrost mode and within about 10 minutes it did. So it looks like the timer is still working properly.
Within 5 minutes of the compressor turning on, I can see and feel the cold being generated in the freezer.
However, neither Evaporator fan seems to be working. The fridge and freezer ones aren't turning and not blowing any cold air. They do turn by hand so they aren't stuck. I've pressed in the contact switch so the lights turn off to make sure it's just the fans not turning because the door's open, and they still don't turn.
I've read that it's possibly the defrost limiter? That on some models the fans won't turn if this is "stuck".
I think I've done all of the troubleshooting I'm capable of at this point. I'd like to try and do the repair myself to save some money, but not exactly sure what parts I'll need to order.
I'd really appreciate any help/suggestions on where to go from here. If I need to troubleshoot more, etc.
EDIT: After doing some more research, I'm assuming it's either the evaporator fan motor or the thermostat. I have nothing to test either one, so not exactly sure. But the defrost heater is definitely working, as evidenced from my burned finger. Defrost timer is working as well. And cooling seems to kick in as coils quickly get that cold look to them, just no fan turning.
I have a Kenmore 596.58695890 Side by Side Fridge/Freezer. This morning I noticed that some things in the top part of the freezer were thawing out and the fridge wasn't as cold as it should be.
Did some research, removed the back panel from inside the freezer, and there was a defnite frost buildup all over everything. Defrosted everything with a hair dryer.
I found the defrost timer on the bottom of the freezer and advanced it by hand until the compressor stopped running at which point I could definitely feel some heat coming from the panel as I should have.
So, I turned the timer around again to turn the compressor b ack on. I turned it just to where it should go into defrost mode and within about 10 minutes it did. So it looks like the timer is still working properly.
Within 5 minutes of the compressor turning on, I can see and feel the cold being generated in the freezer.
However, neither Evaporator fan seems to be working. The fridge and freezer ones aren't turning and not blowing any cold air. They do turn by hand so they aren't stuck. I've pressed in the contact switch so the lights turn off to make sure it's just the fans not turning because the door's open, and they still don't turn.
I've read that it's possibly the defrost limiter? That on some models the fans won't turn if this is "stuck".
I think I've done all of the troubleshooting I'm capable of at this point. I'd like to try and do the repair myself to save some money, but not exactly sure what parts I'll need to order.
I'd really appreciate any help/suggestions on where to go from here. If I need to troubleshoot more, etc.
EDIT: After doing some more research, I'm assuming it's either the evaporator fan motor or the thermostat. I have nothing to test either one, so not exactly sure. But the defrost heater is definitely working, as evidenced from my burned finger. Defrost timer is working as well. And cooling seems to kick in as coils quickly get that cold look to them, just no fan turning.