Posted a thread already but think I put it in the wrong place.
My fridge was getting warm. Checked it out and the freezer was frozen on back panel. Removed the panel and coils were frozen. Thawed it manually a couple weeks ago. Put it back together hoping it just needed to be reset. No luck froze up again. Need to check the timer, thermostat and/or heater. Don't have a manual or schematic. It is a Kenmore model number 253.58082891. Not sure where to locate these part and what panels to remove. I have it thawed out right now with the back panel removed inside the freezer. Have extra fridge in garage.

Thanks,

Jody

Hi Jody,

The defrost timer is located behind the bottom access kickplate grill on the left side, its #23 here:
http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/displaySubComponentFullSize.action?imageUrl=http%3 a%2f%2fcontent.searspartsdirect.com%2flis_png%2fPL DM%2fY2705644-00006.png

Let it stay in defrost, defrost cycle takes about 20-30 minutes, then the defrost timer should automatically turn the refrigerator back on to cool.

While its in the defrost cycle, take the back panel off again from inside your freezer and see if the defrost heater is on, just feel towards the bottom of your evaporator coils, you should feel warmth/heat.

Here's the defrost timer for your model:
Manufacturer's Number: 215846602

215846602

Report back what you find.

Jake

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Hi Jake,

I defrosted the freezer yesterday.
Plugged it back in this morning before I left for work.
Will check it out when I get home.

Thanks,

Jody

Ok, sounds good Jody.

I forgot to mention that you will need a flathead screwdriver to turn the timer clockwise slowly till it clicks and the refrigerator shuts down(there will be a small access hole you can turn it without removing the defrost timer), then it will be in the defrost cycle, then give it 20-30 minutes and check for warmth/heat.

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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I pulled off the panel before I left and found the access.
Will turn it to defrost when I get haome to see if heater works.

Thanks again,

Jody

Ok, sounds good Jody.

Keep us posted.

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

Hey Jake,

Turned the timer til it clicked and the heater is working.
Do I wait to see if it turns back off?

Thanks,

Jody

Ok heater turned off and thin layer of ice has formed on coils.
Should I wait to see if the heater kicks back on by itself.
If the heater does work now was it possible that the timer was just hung.
If the heater does not come back on by itself I will assume the timer is bad.

Thanks,

Jody

Yes Jody, did the timer come out of defrost cycle on its own, and the refrigerator started running?

Yes, it could have been the defrost timer hung up, or the defrost thermostat is intermittently working, seen both cases happen before on this model.

Here's the defrost thermostat for your model you can order:
Manufacturer's Number: 5303917954

5303917954

Its #21 here, it clips on the top of your evaporator coils:
http://c.searspartsdirect.com/lis_png/PLDM/P9050101-00006.png

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

Jake

It came out of defrost mode on its own.
Ran all night and I don't think it has gone back into defrost mode.
Thicker ice is building up on coils.
Have not heard the fans kick off.
They are supposed to in defrost mode, right.

Thanks,

Jody