106.51182113 Kenmore Coldspot Defrost Selection choice

[Chuckphd]

Model Number

106.51182113

Brand

Sears Kenmore

Age

6-10 years

I have a coldspot 106.51182113 fridge, and I am sure it is not defrosting, rather than unplug it and wait......and wait......
I saw a video on the Diagnostics from the front panel by pressing the Water/Ice & Light buttons for 3 sec countdown.
Then cycle to the Defrost diag. and there are two choices using the ADC or 8 hr selection.... This was a Kitchenaid video but the front panel was the same.... almost...
I tried to get into the diag mode and success..... But I do not have the Diag service codes as I cycle thru each setting so of course I am going thru blindly
and abandoned quickly to stay out of trouble...
Note: I am an electrical design engineer, so working on these are nothing new, but with no docs. well... that is an issue...

Just to understand the service diags better is there a link to this info anywhere so I can review.
I would like to try a force defrost to see if all the components are working, but as usualy I fear the defrost ckt may need replacing. No biggie, just want to
get this fixed asap of course....and the location of all those suspect parts I want to understand before I empty the Fridge and the wife is now in defrost mod.... Love ya honey !

This problem seems to be one of those common issues, We have frozen items lower in the freezer and melting icecream at the top! welll almost melted....
Funny the wife can put an ice tray on the second shelf and it does freeze ice... but takes some time...
Also I beleive the motor runs constantly.... it may turn off, but I have not heard that, as the wife is in and out of the box as needed.... not excessive...

Also doesn't the Service codes come with the Refrig, tucked somewhere underneath or on the back?

Thanks to all who participate here, it is really great community of folks...
chuck

 

[Jake]

Hi Chuck, I'm attaching your tech. data sheet below. You should also have a copy of it either behind the bottom kickplate or underneath the refrigerator door upper hinge cover.

Do Step 6 where its says DEFROST HEATER/BI-METAL in the tech. data sheet on page 1. Then feel for heat at the bottom of your inside freezer back panel, where the vents are at.

(click to enlarge)

 

[Jake]

Step 7 is your Defrost Mode Selection.

 

[Chuckphd]

Super Will try this today...... very much appreciated....
chuck

 

[Chuckphd]

Ok performed step #6, indicator flashes 01 BIMetal Closed
waited 4 mins No Change
exited service mode...
Is this pointing to the heater rod ?
Is so... then forced defrost mode is useless unless until fixed....

Where do all the folks buy these parts...

 

[Jake]

I'd first ohm test the defrost heater to verify that, watch this video:

Here's the defrost heater for your model, if needed:
Heater W10857624


If your defrost heater ohms good, then the control board is the culprit.

Here's the control board for your model, if needed:
Electronic Control Board WPW10235503

 

[Chuckphd]

Ok not a problem....
One other question....
Is the heater rod , in the freezer section on the back wall ?
Assuming I have to pull the panel for access to it !

is it good practice to just replace the thermostate / Bi-Metal sensor ?

thanks for the help
Chuck

 

[Jake]

Yes, the defrost heater is behind the back panel inside the freezer, you will see it going around the sides and bottom of your evaporator coil. Make sure you unplug the refrigerator first!

Yours should be similar to this video:

is it good practice to just replace the thermostat / Bi-Metal sensor ?

If its bad yes, but it should closed, and that would be good. But you can verify it by ohm testing it, watch the video below.

Here it is for your model: Defrost Thermostat WPW10225581

 

[Chuckphd]

Very good , another task on my honey-do list...
appreciate the help..
Will post back with results
chuck

 

[Jake]

Ok Chuck, sounds good.