A malfunctioning Frigidaire refrigerator or freezer could be a huge inconvenience and the possibility of food waste and spoilage. It is important to fix the issue as soon as you notice that your Frigidaire freezer or refrigerator stops keeping food at the correct temperature. It’s good to know that most of the problems that cause refrigerators and freezers to be too warm can be fixed by a couple of simple steps. In this post, we’ll explore some of the most common causes of warm Frigidaire refrigerators and freezers and provide step-by-step instructions to resolve them. We will help you get your refrigerator and freezer back at the right temperature no matter if you are an experienced DIYer or a novice.
Cold Control or Temperature Control
The cold control is a temperature-controlled switch that supplies power to the compressor and fan circuits in the refrigerator. The cold control could be out of calibration or defective if the fans and compressor are not operating correctly. The typical fresh food temperature is in the 38deg Fahrenheit range with the control set to mid-point. Check to ensure that the capillary tubes or the sensing bulb isn’t damaged or not in the correct position and also that wire terminals aren’t broken or corroded.
Unplug the Frigidaire refrigerator before beginning. Then, open your Frigidaire refrigerator’s door and find the control. It is usually found just behind the temperature control knob and can be found in the fresh food area of the control panel.
When you have removed the control from the appliance, turn the control to the warmest setting, adjust your multi-meter to the Rx1 setting and make sure that the probes are positioned to the terminals
The probes are being tested for continuity. It should be an infinity read. Adjust the controls to higher (colder) and higher settings, while probes are still in contact with the terminals. Your reading should change to zero, which indicates that you have continuity.
If your control fails any of the above tests it will require a replacement Frigidaire cold and temperature control.
Motor for Evaporator Fan
When the compressor is running When the compressor is running, the Frigidaire fan motor is circulating the cool air throughout the refrigerator. If the fan’s motor is damaged, then temperatures in the freezer section will rise gradually, while temperatures in the fresh food section will rise more rapidly and the compressor may be running longer and more often than it normally does. While the compressor is running, you will also hear the evaporator fan running simultaneously, and the condenser, which is adjacent to the compressor.
How do you inspect the Frigidaire refrigerator’s motor:
Unplug the Frigidaire refrigerator’s power source. Also, take the covers for the evaporator fan from the freezer compartment.
The motor shaft should be able to be able to freely move without resistance. To test for resistance you must turn the shaft manually.
If you see a lot of frozen ice on your motor It is recommended to defrost your freezer and see if this solves the problem. Also, look over the motor for indications of wear and tear.
It is necessary to purchase the replacement motor for the Frigidaire fan If you’re not able to turn it or noticeably wear and tear on it.
Electronic Control Board
Some newer models of Frigidaire refrigerators can be equipped with an electronic control board. Thermistors , also known as temperature sensors, are connected to the control board and are used to keep track of temperatures in the freezer and fresh food compartments. The control board uses this information to control the operation of the compressor, fan motors, and defrost mechanism. If the temperatures are too warm, then the electronic control is in error. Frigidaire’s electronic controls can be complex and costly. They are also generally reliable. You should first make sure that all the other components such as the compressor, the fans and sensors are working properly before condemning the control. Some manufacturers can give specific details that could aid in diagnosing a malfunctioning control.
How to inspect your Frigidaire refrigerator’s control board:
Unplug the fridge prior to beginning since you’ll be working with electrical components.
Find and remove the electronic control board from the appliance. It’s located inside the Frigidaire refrigerator, which is inside the control box. It is usually found attached to the side or top of the fridge.
Be sure to check your control panel for signs of worn foil, damaged or damaged burned connections or arcing or other damage.
If you discover any of these, you’ll need to replacement electronic control board for Frigidaire.
Temperature Sensor or Thermistor
In the models that utilize the Electronic Control, a thermistor or temperature sensor might be used to check the temperature of fresh food as well as freezer temperatures. The sensor is a small capsule-like device that is protected by a plastic shield and will vary in resistance depending on the temperature. This information is utilized by the control board in order to regulate the damper control and turn on fan circuits and compressors. A sensor that is damaged or defective could cause the control board to fail to shut off the fans or compressors. This can result in warmer than normal frozen temperatures or fresh food. The individual manufacturers might have specific information available to test the sensors dependent on the model being tested, and may also provide an error code for the electronic control board on certain models.
How to test a refrigerator’s temperature sensor or thermistor by using a multi-meter:
Start by unplugging the Frigidaire refrigerator. Next, you need to remove the panel on the back to reveal the main control board.
The main control board will contain the thermistor(s). Take the thermistor(s) from the appliance in order to check them.
It is necessary to test your thermometers by placing them, along with the thermometer(s), in the ice bath for 5 minutes to raise the temperature to 32°F.
You should get readings of 16,600 Ohms 5 Percent if have the probes on your terminals and your multimeter set at Rx1.
If you receive a measurement that isn’t within this range you’ll need a replacement Frigidaire temperature sensor or thermistor.
Defrost Timer
The defrost timing device is an electromechanical timer which operates a series of contacts which control the compressor circuit as well as the defrost heater circuit. The timer triggers the defrost cycle about every 8-10 hours. This typically happens about every day or two. The defrost timer will normally terminate the defrost cycle after 20 to 30 minutes . Then the compressor and fan will start again.
How to test a defrost timer in a refrigerator using a multimeter:
Connect your appliance to the power source. Locate your defrost timer. It may be found behind the refrigerator’s lower kickplate, inside the Frigidaire refrigerator’s control panel or behind the refrigerator, on the back wall.
Once you have located it, take the defrost timer from the appliance so that you can test it
Utilize a multimeter equipped with the Rx1 setting. One probe should touch the common terminal. (It must be marked by either “3” or C). The other probe is to be connected to the remaining three terminals one at a time. The first pair should produce the reading of either zero or near zero. This is an indication of continuity. The second pair could be able to produce the reading of zero or near zero. The third pair of terminals will result in a reading of zero.
If you don’t receive these readings, then you require an replacement Frigidaire defrost timer.
Thermostat Defrost
The Frigidaire defrost thermostat functions as an emergency thermostat that is in series with the defrost heater and can be used to stop the defrost sequence once the evaporator attains an appropriate temperature, typically being between 38 and 47 degrees Fahrenheit. If the thermostat is damaged or remains in an open circuit the defrost heater won’t be energized.
How do you test the defrost thermostat of the refrigerator with the multimeter:
Unplug your Frigidaire refrigerator. Find the thermostat for defrost. It can be found under the floor or at the rear of freezer-on-top units. The defrost thermostat can be found on the front of a side-by-side refrigerator.
When you’ve found it, you must remove the thermostat that controls defrost to test it. It is important to get rid of any obstructions in your way such as the freezer’s contents, shelves for freezers as well as icemaker components, and the interior rear, back, or bottom panel.
Set your multi-meter to the Rx1 setting. Place each of the probes on a thermostat wire. If your thermostat is not cold, it will give a reading of zero on the multi-meter. If your temperature is between forty and ninety degrees Fahrenheit then it should read infinity.
If your results from the test differ from the ones shown here, you’ll require a replacement thermostat from Frigidaire.
Defrost Heater
The defrost heat source is the device that melts the ice and frost out of the coils of evaporation. It’s typically a wire filament that is enclosed within glass or aluminum tubes. It is also possible to have more than one heating source, depending on the form of the evaporator.
How do you test the defrost heating element using an multimeter:
Check that you have disconnected your appliance from its power source prior to starting.
Locate your defrost heater. You can find it behind the freezer compartment of your Frigidaire refrigerator or underneath the floor. The heaters for defrost are usually located below the evaporator coils of refrigerators. You will have to remove anything that is blocking your path, such as the contents of the freezer, freezer shelves or ice maker parts, as well as the inside rear, back or bottom panels.
Before you can test your heater’s defrostfunction, you’ll have to take it out of your refrigerator. The defrost heat source is connected by two wires, and the wires are connected using slip-on connectors. Make sure you grasp the connectors using a solid grip and take them from the terminals. You may need an plier with a needle-nosed to help you. Do not pull the wires.
Multi-meters can be used to verify the integrity of the heater. Set your multi-meter on the Rx1 scale and put the leads of the tester on one end each. The reading should be anywhere between zero and infinity.
If you are reading of zero or infinity you will need a replacement Frigidaire heater for defrost..
Motor for condenser fans
Modern frost-free Frigidaire refrigerators are equipped with condenser coils which are fan-cooled. It’s typically located in the lower part of the refrigerator close to the compressor. Condenser fans circulate air around the condenser coil to eliminate heat. The motor for the condenser fan could be defective if the refrigerator from Frigidaire is heating up faster than usual and the compressor is running almost constantly. The condenser motor is running at the same time as the evaporator motor as well as the compressor. The compressor will continue to operate almost continuously when the fan motor ceases turning.
How to check the motor of a condenser motor in a refrigerator:
Begin by disconnecting the Frigidaire refrigerator off of the source of power and then remove the access panel on the rear to locate the condenser motor, it is usually located on the bottom of the refrigerator.
After you have located it, check the fan for obstructions or debris that could cause it to stop moving freely. You must also examine the motor for signs of damage or wear..
You’ll require to purchase a replacement Frigidaire condenser fanmotor in the event that the motor been damaged or worn out.
In conclusion it is clear that a Frigidaire refrigerator and freezer that are overly warm could cause a lot of frustration and costly issue. However, with a little troubleshooting , and some basic repair abilities, many of the most common causes of warm refrigerators or freezers can be dealt with swiftly and effectively. From reviewing the temperature settings and cleaning the coils, there are numerous ways to bring back the cooling functionality for your appliance. If you follow the steps and instructions outlined in this article, you’ll reduce the cost of repairs, and make sure that food is fresh and safe. For security and safety You should always speak with a professional technician if you have any questions about repairs.