We have a Kenmore Side by Side ( 363.58261897 ) we acquired from by wife's late aunt's estate that isn't cooling in the fresh foods side ( 52 degrees) and seems to run all the time.

It doesn't seem to be an old unit. We've had it in our vacation home for a couple years but lately it seems to run all the time and the fresh food side isn't very cold but yet the freezer seems fine. I've had the settings set to the initial setting position the whole time.

I cleaned the coils but they weren't very dirty. I even unplugged it and let it defrost and after plugging it in, it still can't get below 50 degrees.

I tried calling Sears Repair Service but they couldn't come for two weeks. We are fairly remote and we are not there but once a month for an extended weekend which is going to make scheduling difficult.

So, I though I would have a go at it myself.

[quote=jbrunton;61992 .." I even unplugged it and let it defrost and after plugging it in, it still can't get below 50 degrees..[/quote]

This is a frost free refrigerator. If you had to defrost it, that is the problem. The air can't circulate across the evaporator coils. Either the defrost timer or defrost heater or defrost thermostat has gone out. On your model I would suspect the heater. Remove the back wall of the freezer section. Use a hair dryer to defrost the evaporator. You'll have to get all the ice out and you will see the heater. Use an ohm meter to check it or take it to a parts house and they can check it for you. Once you get it defrosted, the refrigerator will work for several weeks if you still want to wait for Sears.

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You may have misunderstood or I may have not been as clear as I should could have. (Sorry)

I did not "have" to defrost it. Knowing that I had a Fridgaire refrigerator in the past that had a heater problem - I knew that a heater problem would cause it to stop cooling. Thats why I tried it.

Since it still didn't cool below 50 degrees after defrosting, there must be a different problem.

Whats the temperature in your freezer section?


Take the food out of the freezer, then take the shelves out, then take off the back panel inside your freezer and look at your evaporator coils.

Check the frost pattern:



Pic from Appliance411

ALL the coils should have a thin layer of frost on them, if some don't and appear to be dry, then its likely you have a bad compressor.

Make sure the condenser fan is turning in the back of your refrigerator, it sits next to your compressor. Pull your refrigerator out from the wall, then take off the lower back access panel to see.

Jake

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Thanks for the info!

Since this is in a vacation home, it isn't something I can readily try. Before I left, i unplugged the unit and left the doors open. No sense in letting it struggle to cool for a month.

Also, since I'm remote it would take a lot of my time to diagnose, run for parts, order parts, etc. So, I will probably call Sears and pay the BIG BUCKS and get it fixed the same day. Using a local person may not get it fixed the same day.

Oh, well!

(I don't think I will buy any more Sears appliances - too expensive to repair from where I live)

Ok, yes, I see what you mean with it being in your vacation home being remote.

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

If you need more repair advice help on your appliance, click Here

Look-Up & Order Parts

Shop Home Appliances