Kenmore Upright Freezer 253.28052803 not getting below 60 degrees

[aceforsale]

Model Number

253.28052803

Brand

Sears Kenmore

Age

6-10 years

My freezer will not get above 60 degrees.

I have a Kenmore 253.28052803 model.

The freezer is in mint shape, well taken care of, and has only been used for about 6 years.
It just stopped working recently. The warm temperature light came on. I'm not sure if the door accidentally got left open but when I found it the door was closed.
The freezer was over crowded so this may of had something to do with it.

At first I just turned it off for 24 hours. I could hear ice melting and falling off inside but didn't open it to look.

Once a few days had past I ran a few phases of testing
Day 1:
- Validated the Freezer condenser coil had no frost or ice
- Validated no water anywhere inside or under the freezer
- Validated the Fan is working.
- Validated even though the fan is running, only about 60 degrees air is coming out of the vent.
- Validated I could hear the compressor running
- Validated no clicking sounds from the compressor.
- Validated the compressor is doing its normal vibration and is getting warm.

My first guess is an issue with the thermostat.
- I replaced the defrost termination/thermostat.
- I validated the new thermostat working in ice cold water for continuity. (Beeps)
- I tested the continuity through Freezer defrost heater. (Beeps)

Results: I left the freezer run for 24 hours, the temperature never got above 60 degrees.

Day 2:
I reviewed the Freezer compressor start relay and the run capacitor.
The relay didn't have any black powder or wasn't burnt.
I tested the continuity and it was working fine.
- Replaced the Freezer Compressor Start Relay and Run Capacitor anyways.
- Validated continuity through the parts. (beeps)

Tested Continuity of the compressor pins.
- Validated continuity on all pins (beeps)
Red (bottom left), black (bottom right) 12.2 olms
Red (bottom left), black (top) 6.5 olms
Red (top), black (bottom right) 6.1 olms
- Validated no dead shorts on all pins.
- Validated 120v AC power on the cable coming into the compressor.

Results: I let the freezer run for 48 hours. Still didn't get below 60 degrees after two days.

Day 3:
- Validated the condenser coil isn't frosted or frozen with solid ice.
Due to it not getting cold enough, this made it hard to validate a sealed leak.
I doubt though it is leaking as I would of smelled something.
Also it went from fully working to not working at all within hours. Not a slow lowering of temperatures.

The only two things I know of that I hadn't tried yet is:
- Replacing the Control Board (only because the part is out of stock everywhere)
- Replacing thermistor. Wasn't sure if it was needed. I didn't want to splice the wires if I didn't have to.

As of now, other than the control board, there isn't much left to replace to check.
Does anyone else have any ideas I could try?
I really like my freezer and would like to repair it.
I can provide photos if needed. Thanks

Changed above 60 degrees to below 60 degrees

 

[Jake]

- Validated the Freezer condenser coil had no frost or ice

That would be the evaporator coil, not the condenser coil.

My freezer will not get above 60 degrees.

I think you mean BELOW 60 degrees?

- Validated I could hear the compressor running

You have a sealed system problem.

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

 

[aceforsale]

Thank you Jake.
Could you tell me, if when a freezer sealed system becomes a problem.... does the temperature just slowly get worse or can it just go from -5 to 61 degrees in a few hours?
Please advise. Thanks

 

[Jake]

Yes, if the evaporator coil does not have a even frost pattern on it from Top to Bottom, then its a sealed system problem.

Look at the photos below of the evaporator coil. The very bottom one is Normal.

 

[aceforsale]

Thank you, I saw you had mentioned that on another post. I plugged my freezer in for 48 hours and let it run. It was 61 degrees inside when I started and 60 when I stopped the testing. I didn’t see any frost or ice at all on it. A tiny bit of frost on the side pipe maybe.

 

[aceforsale]

I guess I'll have to replace it

 

[Jake]

Yes, it's time to go freezer shopping.

Jake