Brand: Kenmore Coldspot SxS
Model Number: 106.52254100

Background of the problem....

It all started few weeks ago, the food in the Fresh Food section started freezing. I checked the temperature settings, they were set to #3 on both the freezer and fridge. I lowered the temperature settings to #2 on both the freezer and fridge and it worked, the fridge wasn't freezing the food.

However, I had the feeling that the refrigerator is running non-stop. I have noticed it not running occasionally, especially in the mornings. All of a sudden this Saturday, the fridge started warming up, no cold air coming through the Air damper/diffuser (First time this happened couple years ago and service engineer replaced it when it was still under protection plan), the freezer seemed to be OK but not.

I opened the back cardboard panel of the refrigerator; the compressor and the compressor fan were running, opened the front panel and dusted the condenser coil.

After reading one of your replies on this forum, I checked the back panel inside the freezer and noticed frost build-up. The evaporator coil was also completely covered with frost build-up. The evaporator fan was working just fine. As advised in another forum, I used the hair dryer to melt the frost build-up and put back the panel. Since last night the refrigerator is working fine, the cold air gets blown to the fridge. The only problem now is the refrigerator seems to be running continuously.

Any ideas of what could be the problem? Could it be the bad defrost timer or defrost thermostat or something else gone bad? Or am I just being paranoia?

Appreciate your help.

Regards,
JP

Ok, you have a part thats out in your defrost system.

Its either:
1. Control board(listed below)
2. Defrost thermostat
3. Defrost heater

The way you can tell, is to force it in a defrost cycle. You should have a tech. data sheet in the bottom front behind the kickplate grill, it will tell you how to force it into defrost, if after a few minutes the defrost heater comes on, then we know its the control board thats bad.

Report back what you find.

Here's the control board for your model, in case you need to order it:
Manufacturer's Number: 8201527

8201527

Jake

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Hi Jake,

I did not find the instructions to force defrost. All I found was a circuit diagram when I pulled out the front grill. I'd appreciate if you can provide the step by step instructions to force defrost.

FYI, the Control board was replaced couple years ago along with the Air diffuser when the Fresh Food section was not cooling.


I also noticed the refrigerator did stop running at least 4 times in the last 24 hours.


Regards,
JP

Hi JP,

Today's your lucky day, I remember someone posted the instructions a few years ago here, but I've been searching for it for a long time and I just found it.

To force a defrost cycle by following the instructions:

1. Turn off the fridge using the control panel's ON/OFF button.
2. Press ON/OFF and the water-filter Reset button for 3 seconds.
3. Now the fridge is in Diagnostics mode at test #1.
4. Defrost is the sixth test, so push the Reset button five times until the water-filter display reads "6".

Then give it a few minutes to see if the defrost heater comes on.

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

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Hi Jake,

Thanks for the instructions. I will try it and let you know the results.

There is no mechanical defrost timer in this refrigerator?

One more question, do I have to remove the back panel inside the freezer before forcing defrost?

Regards,
JP

No, on your model its integrated into your control board I posted a link to above.

Just remove the freezer shelves, then take off the #18 screws here:
http://content.searspartsdirect.com/...5064-00009.png
Then the panel#17 will pull out.

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

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Hi Jake,

There is no display on the control panel (see the attached picture).

Still I followed the instructions and waited for about 10 minutes, nothing happened. Not sure if the forced defrost cycle really kicked in.

Evaporator coil had a little bit of frost build-up. Used the hair dryer to melt the frost build-up before putting back the panel.

Just to understand...

1. What would I see if the Forced Defrost actually kicks in.
2. How does the Defrost Heater look like on my unit.

Please advise on the next steps...

Regards,
JP

Attached Thumbnails

 

Thats odd, was there a display of any lights on the control panel at all before this problem began?

I would say your control board is bad if nothing is lighting up on it, you can order it in the link I supplied in post#2.

The defrost heater would come on under the evaporator coil. You would see it get red hot, or feel heat coming from it.

#33 here is your defrost heater:
http://content.searspartsdirect.com/...5064-00011.png

Here's the defrost heater for your model:
Manufacturer's Number: 2188174

2188174

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

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Hi Jake,

The lights on the control panel are all working fine. The picture was taken while the Refrigerator was turned Off.

I meant the control panel on my refrigerator doesn't have any number display on it.

Regards,
JP

I'm not sure I'm following you, no lights in the display when you did the test? But display light works fine otherwise?

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