FGHB2866PF9A Frigidaire Fridge section stays around 58F freezer is perfect

[SantaBanta]

Model Number

FGHB2866PF9A

Brand

Frigidaire

Age

6-10 years

The Fridge section does not stay cool but at random times it goes to set temperature 34F for an hour or so and again goes back to 58F for the day. I ran diagnostics from the control panel to check evaporator fan, condenser fan and the damper "audibly" they seem to be working. I'm planning on taking those parts and do some inspection, Anything else I should be looking?

Also the fridge used to make cricket like sound for brief moments when working. Also we recently had Tile work done in our house and the Refrigerator was moved around few times. This problem has started after that.

Thanks

 

[Jake]

Also we recently had Tile work done in our house and the Refrigerator was moved around few times. This problem has started after that.

Pull the refrigerator out from the wall and remove the lower back access panel and see if the condenser fan motor(next to the compressor) is running.

Something may have got stuck in the condenser fan motor blade when it was moved.

Here's the condenser fan motor for your model:

Frigidaire 242018304 Motor-Condenser Fan (AP6891872) - AppliancePartsPros.com

Motor-condenser fan 242018304 / AP6891872 made by Frigidaire

click.linksynergy.com

Jake

 

[SantaBanta]

I disassembled the back panel inside freezer and looks like the defrost is not working. The evaporator is covered in ice. Please see pic below. I see ice buildup on the right and left corner as well.
I'm thinking either the defrost timer or the defrost heater or the defrost thermometer is bad?

Defrost Thermostat - Tested defrost thermostat at frozen temp - 0.6 ohm, I'm thinking this is working right?
Defrost timer - Where is the defrost timer located on these fridges? And how do i test it?
Defrost Heater coil - Tested at 27.1 ohm. Does that sound right?


Anything else i should be checking? As i said earlier the freezer works perfect but the fridge section stays at 60F, however it does go to 37F once every day randomly and then goes back to 60F after sometime.

Thannks

 

[SantaBanta]

I think my problem is ice/frost forming on the left and right corners. I used a hair dryer and melted those ice formation, I noticed there 2 hole one on each side left and right which were being blocked by these ice/frost formations. I believe these are the holes through which evaporator fan routes the cold air to Fridge section.

The defrost heater does not melt these ice/frost formation as they are far from the the evaporator around which the heater loops. Are those ice forming on the corners normal? What could be causing it?

 

[Jake]

Defrost Thermostat - Tested defrost thermostat at frozen temp - 0.6 ohm, I'm thinking this is working right?

Yes, that's good.

Defrost Heater coil - Tested at 27.1 ohm. Does that sound right?

Yes, that's good.

Defrost timer - Where is the defrost timer located on these fridges? And how do i test it?

On your model, there is no defrost timer, the defrost cycle is integrated into the main control board, when you click the part link to the main control board below, you will see a video of how to access it.

Here's the main control board for your model:
Main Control Board 5304502779


Here's the data sheet for your model: https://ecommcdnprod.azureedge.net/...roduct_support/DGH/DGHF2360PF9A/A01544602.pdf

In System Diagnostic Mode, do TEST 2--->Freezer Defrost Heater

See if the defrost heater comes on.

Also do TEST 39--->Evaporator Thermistor

Are those ice forming on the corners normal? What could be causing it?

No, not normal, usually that's caused by a incomplete defrost cycle.

Jake

 

[PDR_Toronto]

I have the Electrolux French door, EI28BS80KS3, my symptoms are similar enough it may be related. Everything runs great for most of a week and then suddenly the fridge temperature spikes to around 60 degrees. I would turn off the fridge completely, thaw the evaporator and all the ice on it with hair dryers and once it was thawed and dried, turn on the fridge again and everything is perfect for a number of days, no ice accumulation or anything, then suddenly ... the fridge temperature is rising.

Background - this started while the fridge was under warranty. 6 Electrolux repairmen came and did this or that, nothing helped. in the beginning they were third party - useless, then a guy from Electrolux tried. he was very nice explained why the problem was the vent door between the freezer and the fridge, replaced it, made everything else on the whole fridge "perfect" - all to no avail, same thing within a week. Then Electrolux just cut me off. Don't start me on a discussion about Electolux warranty.

What I tried to explain to them, like in your situation, was that i think the hint, the symptom that matters is the fridge temperature. The fridge did not stop cooling. If the fridge stops cooling it stays cool for days if you don't open it. Something was pumping heat into the unopened fridge. No one could explain that to me and diagnose the source, the problem. I can propose an answer, with the airflow blocked by the ice on the evaporators, the fridge doesn't cool and the system keeps trying to cool more. The heat exchangers in the walls of the fridge are working overtime, because the fridge never shuts off, and the heat starts bleeding in as well as radiating out because the walls of the fridge get too hot. Correct me if I have that wrong, but more importantly, someone please explain why and what is causing it.

I've tried to figure out the diagnostics - not one of the service people who came to look at the fridge ran them, ever. I found out about them afterwards from a service guy I ran into while buying a piece to try to fix this. He said "Run the diagnostics" I said what diagnostics? he described, I said please call me tomorrow and come help me with this as no one ever did that and then I never heard from him. I've asked other service people if thay know the diagnostics, none have called me back. Very frustrating. I have tried to run them, I have not been successful.

I am the proud owner of the biggest paper weight in the city! I have very detailed history if it is helpful, I would very much appreciate any suggestions.

 

[SantaBanta]

Mine has been working fine for about a week now. I checked the defrost heater, thermistor and the gate that opens and closes to let the cold air in the fridge section. Everything checked out fine. I suspect the snow/ice build up on the 2 sides are the culprit that was blocking the ducts that carry the cold air from the freezer to fridge. This buildup was too far from the defrost heater to melt, i tested the defrost heater for a full cycle when i had it all apart.
I'm thinking the fridge door being kept open for for extended time may have caused the moisture to get in and form snow/ice. I'll wait for a month and see if the ice build up on the sides return.