ABR2037FES Testing Amana Defrost system options

[DIYBeforeCallingRepairman]

Model Number

ABR2037FES

Brand

Amana

Age

6-10 years

Hello,
I have been researching and trouble shooting my Amana top fridge warm - bottom freezer iced up issue.
So far, it seems that the compressor still runs, the fridge damper opens and closes, evaporator fan works, condenser fan works. When I took apart the freezer, the evaporator coils were completely frozen. The defrost thermostat was encased in a solid block on ice.

I've already tested the Defrost Heater Assembly with a mulit-meter and got a reading of 30 ohms. Questions:
Can I test the defrost thermostat while it's still installed or do I need to cut the wires and take it out all together / stick it in a working freezer, etc.?

Also, can I start the freezer up again without reinstalling the back wall panel in the freezer so that I can see better whether or not the coils are over frosting and if the defrost heater is working?

Finally- what is the safest and most efficient way to determine what I need to do to fix this problem? I haven't found instructions on testing the unit via the control board. Are there better ways aI could be testing?

Thanks so much! I've already learned so much just reading through the various Appliance Blog Threads.

 

[jeff1]

Hi,

Can I test the defrost thermostat while it's still installed

Yes....but many are intermittent.

Also, can I start the freezer up again without reinstalling the back wall panel in the freezer so that I can see better whether or not the coils are over frosting and if the defrost heater is working?

Nope.

We don't normally check the defrost board, better to eliminate the easy stuff until that is left...
LINK> https://www.ez-forums.com/appliance-tip-of-the-week/1463-frost-free-refrigerator-issues-appliance-tip-week.html

jeff.

 

[DIYBeforeCallingRepairman]

Thank you Jeff.
Is it better for me to cut the wires on the defrost thermostat and test it in a working freezer with a multimeter? I've heard the ice water doesn't get cold enough.
If it tests as a good thermostat, can I just reinstall it with plastic wire caps?
Any safety precautions I should know about other than unplugging the unit first?
Thanks again!

 

[jeff1]

Is it better for me to cut the wires on the defrost thermostat and test it in a working freezer with a multimeter?

As long as I can get my head and fat ass to fit inside, I try to check them in place.

If it tests as a good thermostat, can I just reinstall it with plastic wire caps?

Yes.

Any safety precautions I should know about other than unplugging the unit first?

No beers before, during the repair....just afterwards!

jeff.