Wow, what a great site!
I posted in the wrong section earlier today. My apologies.
To be quick and to the point, my coils in the back of the freezer look just like (and I mean exactly) like this...
http://www.applianceaid.com/pictools/Freezer2.jpg

I fear system failure from reading other posts. I've cleaned the coils on the bottom of the refrigerator. I've ordered a defrost timer and defrost thermostat following the diagnosis procedure on applianceaid.com. I tested the defrost thermostat by turning the thermostat clockwise with a flat head screw driver. The refrigerator shut off and both heaters began to glow. The compressor fan is running below and the fan in the freezer section is running as well. The only thing that is different is that the refrigerator is in a REALLY tight place. It has room above, but the sides are really tight. Both sides actually touch the wall at the base of the refrigerator. Because the compressor coils are on the bottom, I was hoping that the tight fit wouldn't matter. Is room on the sides important? Could this cause the ice build-up as seen in the example above? Any help would be appreciated. Many thanks and again, great site!!
-Brandon

Hi,

Nope, front grill is louvered to allow air in for the condensir coils and condensor fan motor.

Not normally.

Very possible

jeff.

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http://www.applianceaid.com/
Appliance Repair Aid
http://www.jrappliance.ca
JRAppliance

Jeff,
Thanks for the response. I think I am in denial about the inevitable. After defrosting the coils last night, the lower, smaller half of the coils are covered in a snow flake frost. The refrigerator runs constantly. Wouldn't a faulty defrost timer cause this? I've got a thermostat and defrost timer on order for one last college try. Then I'm out of ideas. Thanks so much for you response and time and help. I may have a new refrigerator by the weekend!
Take care,
-Brandon

On a frost free failure ( defrost timer, defrost thermostat, defrost heaters ) all of the coils will be covered with thick frost.




jeff.

__________________
http://www.applianceaid.com/
Appliance Repair Aid
http://www.jrappliance.ca
JRAppliance