- Model Number
- ARS9168
- Brand
- Amana
- Age
- More than 10 years
Monday morning we woke up to a lot of water in the ice/water dispenser drip collector and found melted ice in the ice maker and icicles below it in the freezer section. At that time, the items towards the top of the freezer were defrosting somewhat and the items along the bottom were still frozen.
I placed meat thermometers on both sides and closed both doors. After about 30 minutes the freezer side showed 50 degrees and the fridge side was the same.
We transferred all of the food items out of the freezer and most out of the fridge side. Tried tuning off the power at the breaker and leaving it for a few minutes then turning it back on. The freezer didn't seem to do much for several hours (I may have accidently advanced the defrost timer when checking the water tray).
Later it seemed to be cooling some and some frost had developed on the panel covering the coils. Around 3pm, it was clear that the frost on the coil panel had been melted and refrozen.
Then, around 3:30pm we removed the back panel and found the coils cold, the bottom parts with no frost, and the top 2-3 coils and wiring and defrost thermostat were covered with light to medium frost (easily melted off with hair dryer). Freezer temp was near zero. Fridge side was between 40 and 50.
This morning (24 hrs later than when we first found it not working correctly) the freezer was 40 degrees when opened, the fridge was at 50.
I removed the coil panel and found more frost (a bit heavier) covering the top third of the coils. If the system lets me post a picture I will.
I disconnected and tested the defrost thermostat. It was initially closed. Placing it in room temperature water, it opened quickly . Placing it in another freezer (no ice for an ice water bath) it took some time to close again (around 20-30min). I did several checks of the thermostat and it was always quick to open and slow to close.
Replacing the thermostat, I tested the heater. It works. The defrost timer seemed to shut off the heater in about 30 minutes. The fan above the coils works.
Since reconnecting everything, the freezer has dropped to 0 degrees in about 1 – 1 ½ hours and the fridge section is still at 50. I’ve now advanced the defrost timer to defrost mode and then just past that so that the compressor runs again. I’m going to leave it for 7 hours and check temps and frost again.
Any suggestions on what might be happening and what to test next?
I have two guesses. First, that the defrost timer runs the defrost cycle too long which is leading the freezer sections to heat up too much. Second, that the defrost thermostat takes too long to close which prevents the fan from running which then contributes to excess frost build up and inadequate cooling.
By the way, our current conditions are about 70 degrees and 55% relative humidity. Some of the excess moisture in the freezer may have been caused by the ice melting on Sunday night. We don’t normally find evidence of much frosting inside the freezer.
I placed meat thermometers on both sides and closed both doors. After about 30 minutes the freezer side showed 50 degrees and the fridge side was the same.
We transferred all of the food items out of the freezer and most out of the fridge side. Tried tuning off the power at the breaker and leaving it for a few minutes then turning it back on. The freezer didn't seem to do much for several hours (I may have accidently advanced the defrost timer when checking the water tray).
Later it seemed to be cooling some and some frost had developed on the panel covering the coils. Around 3pm, it was clear that the frost on the coil panel had been melted and refrozen.
Then, around 3:30pm we removed the back panel and found the coils cold, the bottom parts with no frost, and the top 2-3 coils and wiring and defrost thermostat were covered with light to medium frost (easily melted off with hair dryer). Freezer temp was near zero. Fridge side was between 40 and 50.
This morning (24 hrs later than when we first found it not working correctly) the freezer was 40 degrees when opened, the fridge was at 50.
I removed the coil panel and found more frost (a bit heavier) covering the top third of the coils. If the system lets me post a picture I will.
I disconnected and tested the defrost thermostat. It was initially closed. Placing it in room temperature water, it opened quickly . Placing it in another freezer (no ice for an ice water bath) it took some time to close again (around 20-30min). I did several checks of the thermostat and it was always quick to open and slow to close.
Replacing the thermostat, I tested the heater. It works. The defrost timer seemed to shut off the heater in about 30 minutes. The fan above the coils works.
Since reconnecting everything, the freezer has dropped to 0 degrees in about 1 – 1 ½ hours and the fridge section is still at 50. I’ve now advanced the defrost timer to defrost mode and then just past that so that the compressor runs again. I’m going to leave it for 7 hours and check temps and frost again.
Any suggestions on what might be happening and what to test next?
I have two guesses. First, that the defrost timer runs the defrost cycle too long which is leading the freezer sections to heat up too much. Second, that the defrost thermostat takes too long to close which prevents the fan from running which then contributes to excess frost build up and inadequate cooling.
By the way, our current conditions are about 70 degrees and 55% relative humidity. Some of the excess moisture in the freezer may have been caused by the ice melting on Sunday night. We don’t normally find evidence of much frosting inside the freezer.
Attachments
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Second Day Frosting.jpg
