FIXED Kenmore (and beer) getting warmer by the minute!!

[djsted]

Model Number

253.56943601

Brand

Sears Kenmore

Age

1-5 years

The light went out on our frig side (not the freezer side). Replaced bulb but still not working - THAT's when I realized that it wasn't so cold in the frig side anymore. After quickly putting MY beer in our garage frig (a 15 year old frig we 'salvaged' from the street ) I jumped on this forum in hopes of finding the solution.

The Mrs. gets home soon and will be wondering why HER beer is getting warm so any help is greatly appreciated.

Freezer seems to work fine.

Sear Kenmore Side by Side
Model # 253.56943601
manufractured 9/06

Thanks in advance (why is this typing so BIG all of a sudden?)

m

 

[Goodwinml]

You might get better answers in the fridge section instead of dishwashers. LOL

I had the same problem. Check the vent that goes from freezer to the fridge. It might be iced up solid. If it is no flow of air. Vent is on right of fridge just above the drawers. Pour hot water into vent to defrost. Make sure all openings that go to and from freezer and fridge are not blocked by boxes or other items. Check coils underneath fridge. Lots of wooly boogers grow there and clog cooling coils.

 

[Jake]

I moved this thread to the Sears Kenmore refrigerator forum.

Yes, do what Goodwinml suggested and let us know what you find.

Jake

 

[djsted]

doh!

oh man! OK, so I'm about as bright as a burned out frig bulb.

Thanks fellas.

 

[quik-fixit]

Is the evaporator fan operating??? is the evap. coils clean/clear of heavy frost ??? the freezer side does the cold work and the fan moves the cooling air thru the top vents and returns thru the bottom vents........ can you get your wire diagram out, behind the toe grill...........

 

[djsted]

ok, I'm smarter than some..

...but dumber than most.

Apparently I opened and closed the frig door often enough checking the light bulb that when I stuck my hand inside to see if the cooling had stopped as well - it was already a bit warmer just from the constant door opening.

Anyway. I threw a meat thermometer in there and it's still - thankfully - keeping everything cool.

So now the bulb. I replaced it but it's still not working. the filaments look fine so I guess I'm not getting juice to the socket. I'm not gonna stick my finger in there to see if it's juiced up or not.

any sug.s?

thanks in advance.

 

[Jake]

So its either the refrigerator door light switch or the bulb receptacle, and you'd need a ohm meter to see if your getting continuity at the light switch.

Unplug your refrigerator and pry out the light switch with a flathead screwdriver thats located on the side wall inside your refrigerator, and take the wires off.

Here's the refrigerator door light switch for your model:
Light Switch 240505801


Here's the video that shows how to test it:

Jake

 

[djsted]

ok, the light switch HAS continuity! So now I'm thinking that the replacement bulbs (marked 'appliance bulb' on the packaging) may not have a long enough base to actually reach the contact point. Is my bulb (which I've thrown away) some special bulb?

btw - the replacement bulb (whose filaments look fine) DOES screw into the socket so the diameter is correct.
I also have one of those little 'pen' looking power testers that you hold near an electrical source that will beep when it's near power
and placed it near the socket. It 'beeped' consistantly so I'm pretty sure that there's power to the socket or perhaps
I'm just getting the electrical signal from nearby wires within the housing.

 

[Jake]

Ok, thats very strange, then that bulb should be working, I don't know what else to suggest.

Jake

 

[djsted]

So I'm guessing that the bulb itself isn't some
special 'Kenmore only' style bulb?

 

[Jake]

No its not, also try to tighten it further in, I'd had some fool me thinking it was all the way in but wasn't till I screwed the bulb in a little more.

Jake

 

[djsted]

It's official!! I've created a true mountain out of a mole hill.

I was ready to call in the troops to fix my faulty frig when I decided that maybe..just maybe the bulb could go a bit further into it's socket.

I felt like I was going to break it when ...AH, THE WONDER OF LIGHT!!!

Perfect. It was a simple burned out bulb all along.

I no longer have to squint in the darkness to dodge the Mrs's. light beers and grab my gusto!

Thanks for all your input. I'll try to remember not to overthink it next time.

 

[Jake]

Excellent good job.

Jake