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June 11th, 2008, 10:11 AM
#1
Kenmore SXS Coldspot 106.54582400 -- freezer & fridge not cold, icemaker not working
I'm hoping to get some guidance with our 2005 Kenmore fridge (model # in subject). It came with the house we just purchased, so I am not sure if previous homeowners had any extended service plan with Sears. I thought we could try to do some exploring on our own before calling in a service appt.
When we moved in over Memorial Day weekend and started putting food in freezer and fridge, and using the in-door icemaker and water, all was well. Last week or so, when I had put ice cream in the freezer I was surprised when it was softer than I expected. I decreased the freezer temp all the way, and that seemed to help a bit. But then we started having this really hot and humid weather and the freezer temp was still not as cold as it should and then the ice production really slowed down. I was a bit worried about the fridge too over the weekend, it just looked like there was a lot of condensation on the milk jug, cans of soda, etc. Water dripping in the freezer, and now no ice at all...frozen waffles not frozen...ice cream bars = yucky mess. So I don't know if this unit was on its way out , if the heat & humidity sped things up, or if we just have bad luck.
Any ideas or a checklist we could go through to explore possible solutions? We don't have some of the gadgets I have seen mentioned, and my husband is handy, but hasn't tinkered with many appliances. I will be picking up our small chest freezer to use tonight, but having no fridge or freezer with a family with kids is just not practical...and with the new house purchase, the prospect of having to pay lots to repair or worse, to replace a major appliance is not a good one. 
Thanks in advance!
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June 11th, 2008, 11:09 AM
#2
The first thing I would check is your condenser and condenser fan.
Take the bottom grill off in the front, next to the floor, it just snaps off, pull hard. Open both refrigerator and freezer doors first. Then get a flashlight and look at the condenser coils and if there clogged with lint/dirt clean them, use a vacuum then blowing them out with compressed air or air compressor helps alot too.
Then pull your refrigerator out from the wall, then take off the lower back access panel, and see if your condenser fan is turning good.
Also, in your freezer section, take some food out so you can see the back panel inside your freezer. Do you notice frost build-up on it?
Jake
Appliance Repair School 1987-1988
Star Appliance Tech. 2 yrs. 1988-1990
Wards Appliance Tech. 11 yrs. 1990-2001
Sears Appliance Tech. 4 yrs. 2001-Oct. 2005
Jake's Appliance Repair Nov. 2005-present
Look-Up & Order Parts
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June 11th, 2008, 11:18 AM
#3
Originally Posted by
Jake
The first thing I would check is your condenser and condenser fan.
Take the bottom grill off in the front, next to the floor, it just snaps off, pull hard. Open both refrigerator and freezer doors first. Then get a flashlight and look at the condenser coils and if there clogged with lint/dirt clean them, use a vacuum then blowing them out with compressed air or air compressor helps alot too.
Then pull your refrigerator out from the wall, then take off the lower back access panel, and see if your condenser fan is turning good.
Also, in your freezer section, take some food out so you can see the back panel inside your freezer. Do you notice frost build-up on it?
Jake
I've already taken the food, shelves, ice storage drawer and the drawer at the bottom of the freezer. No frost anywhere on this panel. Should I unscrew the 2 screws from that back panel to check out the coils? Is that what I have seen elsewhere?
I'm off to take off the grill and clean that out. I may have to wait for hubby to pull out the fridge from the wall and check out that condenser fan.
If it is the condenser or condenser fan, are these fairly simple repairs we could do ourselves? Thanks!
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June 11th, 2008, 11:48 AM
#4
Should I unscrew the 2 screws from that back panel to check out the coils? Is that what I have seen elsewhere?
Yes, check to see the frost pattern of your evaporator coils. You should have a then layer of frost on ALL of them.
If it is the condenser or condenser fan, are these fairly simple repairs we could do ourselves?
If your condenser fan is bad, thats easy to change.
Your condenser itself is unlikely the problem, you just to make sure its clean to get proper air flow through the condenser.
Jake
Appliance Repair School 1987-1988
Star Appliance Tech. 2 yrs. 1988-1990
Wards Appliance Tech. 11 yrs. 1990-2001
Sears Appliance Tech. 4 yrs. 2001-Oct. 2005
Jake's Appliance Repair Nov. 2005-present
Look-Up & Order Parts
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June 11th, 2008, 11:55 AM
#5
Originally Posted by
Jake
Yes, check to see the frost pattern of your evaporator coils. You should have a then layer of frost on ALL of them.
If your condenser fan is bad, thats easy to change.
Your condenser itself is unlikely the problem, you just to make sure its clean to get proper air flow through the condenser.
Jake
No frost at all, on any of the coils. Is that bad? I will upload a pic momentarily.
Took off the grill and it was totally gross with lots of lint and dust and stuff. vacuumed it out and then used can of air to clean out.
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June 11th, 2008, 12:27 PM
#6
here's what it looks like inside...
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June 11th, 2008, 12:49 PM
#7
Yup, no frost.
Was the refrigerator running when you took that photo?
Was the evaporator fan running thats just above the evap. coil?
Jake
Appliance Repair School 1987-1988
Star Appliance Tech. 2 yrs. 1988-1990
Wards Appliance Tech. 11 yrs. 1990-2001
Sears Appliance Tech. 4 yrs. 2001-Oct. 2005
Jake's Appliance Repair Nov. 2005-present
Look-Up & Order Parts
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June 11th, 2008, 12:55 PM
#8
Originally Posted by
Jake
Yup, no frost.
Was the refrigerator running when you took that photo?
Was the evaporator fan running thats just above the evap. coil?
Jake
Yep, it was indeed running.
Fan is working above the coils.
Have not pulled it out to check the back. Hubby has been tasked to do so when he gets home from work.
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June 11th, 2008, 01:06 PM
#9
Ok,
It sounds like your compressor start relay went out, its located in the back of your refrigerator.
This thread explains how to check and change it, also you can order the part too:
[FIXED] How to replace a (Whirlpool/Kenmore Model 106) Refrigerator Start Relay
Jake
Appliance Repair School 1987-1988
Star Appliance Tech. 2 yrs. 1988-1990
Wards Appliance Tech. 11 yrs. 1990-2001
Sears Appliance Tech. 4 yrs. 2001-Oct. 2005
Jake's Appliance Repair Nov. 2005-present
Look-Up & Order Parts
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June 11th, 2008, 01:26 PM
#10
Thanks for the links. Is it an easy repair -- the compressor start relay?
Sears told me that if something in the "sealed system" is bad, that would fall under the 5 yr warranty on the refrigeration system and they could have someone repair for free. Is this part of that system?
Otherwise, if the parts are $33 + shipping, and it is an easy DIY fix...that is sounding way better than the $150-250 a sears service call is likely to be.
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