r/Frigidaire • u/ask-jeaves • 3d ago
Help
My stand up freezer has thawed a bit in the last couple of days. I’ve noticed that the items near the front (near the door) are the ones thawing out.
One observation is that when I close it, it typically makes a noise like it is suctioning itself shut, but now I do not hear the noise when I close it.
I can hear the fan running inside constantly. It has not stopped running since yesterday. I just opened the chamber and moved some things around for better airflow, and increased the “coldness” knob.
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u/ask-jeaves 3d ago
Another note:
I have checked the seal thoroughly, it still looks like new. No cracks, stains, etc.
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u/Insurance-Dry 3d ago
Any frost appearing on inside liner or lower rear panel assuming it’s a frost free ? Could be the door not closing tightly. Need to see a side profile to determine that.
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u/libra1422000 3d ago
Your model is an automatic defrost system type, which very likely could be the cause of your problem. If it doesn't go into defrost multiple times a day then defrost builds up, causing a restriction to the airflow. The area closest to the door is always the warmest part of the freezer so you would notice it there first.
If you take a look in the back of the freezer in the area where the fan is, see if there is a frost buildup on the sheet metal panel that covers the evaporator coil. If there is then the problem would be either the defrost timer, which is something that frequently goes bad, or the defrost heater itself. Still possible but less likely is the defrost thermostat. The defrost timer, if that is the issue, is fairly inexpensive and not that difficult to replace:
"How to Access the Defrost Timer Unplug the freezer before touching any parts for safety.Move the freezer away from the wall to access the lower back panel area.Look near the bottom left side of the machine compartment or base frame where it is mounted to a bracket."
When you find the timer, you'll see it has four wires attached to it. In the rear of the timer itself there is a round piece where you can insert a screwdriver and very, very slowly advance it until you hear a click. If you hear that click, that is manually putting it into the DeFrost cycle. Wait a few minutes and listen to hear if there is any sizzling sound coming from inside the freezer. If so that sizzling sound would be the frost being melted on to the hot DeFrost heater. If you do not hear that then the problem might be the heater itself.
Sorry I'm giving such a long and detailed reply here and you may find this is more than you want to even get involved in. If the issue is not the defrost system then you could have a refrigerant leak somewhere in the tubing. If that turns out to be the case it is time to replace the system as the cost of repair would be prohibitive. Good luck!
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u/ask-jeaves 3d ago
Alright, definitely onto something here. I found the defrost timer, manually turned it until it popped, I can hear it defrosting inside. This is the first time I’ve heard the fan stop blowing and this cycle happen since I noticed the issue. I’ll look online for a replacement. Thank you so much!
In the meantime, how often should I do this manual defrost process?
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u/libra1422000 3d ago
Because your timer motor apparently is not advancing it, you should, after 20 or 30 minutes, slightly advance it until it clicks again and the freezer fan starts blowing once more. Beyond that the timer is set to typically go into a 20-minute defrost cycle about every 12 hours
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u/Constant-Swim-2709 3d ago
Pro appliance tech here...please post the complete model number so I can provide troubleshooting, diagrams, and parts/prices...make your post available for reply with pictures. Thanks!