FGHS2631PF2 Side by Side, Refrigerator good temp, Freezer side fluctuates 0 to 25

[PNW_Skeeter]

Model Number

FGHS2631PF2

Brand

Frigidaire

Age

6-10 years

The freezer temp on my side by side is fluctuating between 0 and 25 degrees. Refrigerator side is constant 36. No unusual noises. Door seal is fine. Cleaned condenser coils etc. they were fine. I did find that the freezer side evaporator coil wire bundle at the top was encased in ice about the size of a fist. I believe this is the area for the thermostat defrost kit. I turned off the unit and manually defrosted the ice build up. Started back up but the freezer resumed its temperature fluctuation. I saw a youtube vid about this might be the thermistor but I think that is on the refrigerator side. But the Parts Catalog document seems to indicate there is one in the freezer side but it does not locate its postion.

Could this be the thermistor on the freezer side or possibly the defrost kit since it was iced up? Or perhaps something else.

Thanks
PNW-Skeeter

 

[Jake]

Place the thermistor is a small glass and fill it with crushed ice. Add enough water to cover the thermistor, then WAIT 5 MINUTES, This should bring the temperature of the thermistor very close to 32*F-33*F. At 33*F the thermistor should measure 31,658 ohms. At 32*F the thermistor should measure 32,566 ohms (+ or - 2%). Your thermistor should be between 31.6K and 32.5K ohms.

Here's the freezer thermistor for your model:
Thermistor 240597203


Its #22, located inside the freezer here:

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Jake

 

[PNW_Skeeter]

Thank you Jake! I have the pdf with the drawing showing the thermistor. I assume this is within the ice maker and I will just have to take it apart until I find it unless you know where more precisely it is located.

Thanks

 

[Jake]

No, its in the freezer section near the top where the ice bucket is at, look on the interior freezer wall near the ice bucket for a plastic cover that goes over that freezer thermistor.

Jake

 

[PNW_Skeeter]

Cannot find a plastic cover on the freezer side. Please see pic with ice bucket removed. Behind that lower panel I find the evaporator coils and the defrost kit and some other wires and a bundle/plug going into the back wall. But nothing that looks like a thermistor.
Any ideas before I pull the ice maker off?

Thanks

 

[Jake]

Look behind the auger motor #18 and cover #20. Its been more than 10 years since I replaced this one, I can't quite remember exactly.

It might even be located behind the evaporator cover below the auger motor cover.

Jake

 

[PNW_Skeeter]

Jake, thank you!
Yes the thermistor on this model is behind the auger motor and I replaced it. However this did not solve my problem. The freezer still fluctuates in temp and does not get below 10 degrees now. Today I changed out the defrost kit part number 5303918214 on this model and it has been 12 hours and reading at 20.

I am not sure what else to look at or consider. Any ideas? Refrigerator temp is fine and steady at 36.
This unit was manufactured in 2014. I would hope it would last longer than 8 years.

Thanks
PNW-Skeeter

 

[Jake]

The freezer still fluctuates in temp and does not get below 10 degrees now.

You may also have a sealed system problem.

Remove the back panel in the freezer, we need to see the frost pattern on the evaporator coil, take a photo of it please and upload it.

Look at the last photo below, where it says NORMAL FROST PATTERN.

 

[PNW_Skeeter]

You may also have a sealed system problem.

Remove the back panel in the freezer, we need to see the frost pattern on the evaporator coil, take a photo of it please and upload it.

Look at the last photo below, where it says NORMAL FROST PATTERN.

View attachment 67784

This is my frost pattern from this morning. When I first noticed my temp problem a couple weeks ago, there was a ball of ice the size of my fist in the red circled area.

Please advise.
Thanks

 

[Jake]

Yes, You have a sealed system problem.

The photo of your evaporator coil should look like the NORMAL FROST PATTERN one I posted in post #8.

The sealed system consists of the compressor, condenser, evaporator, heat exchanger, filter/drier and refrigerant. Common problems with a sealed system are bad compressors, refrigerant leaks, and system restrictions.

Sealed system repair costs will often exceed the machines value.

Jake

 

[PNW_Skeeter]

Had a local repair service come out and determined the evaporator is malfunctioning as you said, based on the fact that there is ice on the top runner just above the bottom of my red oval in the pic and that I said the entire upper unit was encased in ice when I first looked. He said maybe I am getting 10% out of my evaporator based on the frost pattern. $750 parts and labor. Yes expensive and maybe this 8 year old fridge isn't worth that much but if I were to get a new one, I would probably spend $3500 on an LG French door model, but I am not prepared to spent that money right now.
Thanks Jake!

PNW-Skeeter

 

[Jake]

Ok PNW-Skeeter, Yes I know what you mean, do what's best for you.

Jake