MFF2258VEM3 Fridge warm freezer cold after replacing Jazz control board, passes thermistor test

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Model Number

MFF2258VEM3

Brand

Maytag

Age

More than 10 years

Yesterday I found the fridge was warm but the freezer was cold. Turns out there was a lot of ice build up around the condenser coils so I quickly melted the ice with a heat gun and replaced the Jazz control board with a brand new one. Fridge was soon cool again.

Then today I find the fridge is warm again, there wasn't tremendous humidity since yesterday. I tested the fresh food thermistor and freezer thermistor using service 4 and 5 tests described in the tech sheet and they both display "P" (pass). Does anyone have any idea what might be going on here? Thank you.

 

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By the way, I vacuumed the coils underneath the front of the fridge, there was a LOT of dust stuck under there, they hadn't been cleaned in a while. I'm not sure how to get rid of all of it but did my best with the vacuum. Now doing forced defrost every hour so I don't have to disassemble the freezer again to go at it with the heat gun. Does anyone know how long the Long forced defrost mode executes for? Thinking I will do it multiple times to make sure any ice build up is gone.

 

[Dan O.]

there was a lot of ice build up around the condenser coils

The condenser is the hot part. The evaporator is the cold part.

I vacuumed the coils underneath the front of the fridge, there was a LOT of dust stuck under there, they hadn't been cleaned in a while. I'm not sure how to get rid of all of it but did my best with the vacuum.

You need to use a very stiff bristle brush as seen at the following link, while vacuuming. It needs to be done regularly (seasonally at least, more if you have pets) and very thorough. Keeping it clean is very important. Failing to do so can lead to serious ($$$+) damage!

LINK > Condenser Cleaning Brush

Maintenance Tips

Now doing forced defrost every hour so I don't have to disassemble the freezer again to go at it with the heat gun.

It would take close to a week to build up to the point where defrosting is necessary. Stop forcing a defrost until you know for certain it is needed.

Then today I find the fridge is warm again

How about the freezer?



Dan O.

 

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How about the freezer?

Thanks Dan, freezer is cold, below freezing. Yes, I used a brush like that in the video as well as vacuumed the front under the fridge where the coils are. There's still dust deeper in there but it's a lot better. Going to also vacuum/brush at the back where the condenser fan is.

Just curious, why do you recommend not continuing to do forced defrost? There still appears to be frost build up at the back of the freezer, though, I cannot see behind the panel apart from some small slots because removing the panel requires disassembling the tracks for the shelves in the freezer and thus emptying the freezer.

Btw, the plastic white part in the picture with the arrow pointed at it was a little loose when I reattached it the other day, it feels like only the center tab snaps in. Is it important that it has a very tight fit or is that likely irrelevant to this issue?

 

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Looks like some liquid is leaking from compressor? What could it be? Poisonous if it evaporates into a gas and is breathed?? Not freon, I hope?? Edit: I checked the temp of the liquid dripping, it's 73F so I assume not freon.

 

[Dan O.]

Just curious, why do you recommend not continuing to do forced defrost?

If it was properly defrosted it isn't necessary. As I said it can take up to a week for frost to accumulate to the point of needing to be defrosted again. Also, once manually defrosted by the control it also shouldn't be needed again for up to a week.

The evaporator is several inches thick. When you defrosted it did you fully defrost the whole thickness and not just the surface?

There still appears to be frost build up at the back of the freezer,

Yes. I don't know how that could possibly be if you fully defrosted it recently.

I cannot see behind the panel apart from some small slots because removing the panel requires disassembling the tracks for the shelves in the freezer and thus emptying the freezer.

Someone needs to open it up and see what's going on behind the panel on the evaporator coil.

Is it important that it has a very tight fit or is that likely irrelevant to this issue?

It is likely not critical and certainly not the cause of your problem.

Looks like some liquid is leaking from compressor?

Something may be leaking onto that area. Maybe defrost water or condensation. Look immediately above that point to try to determine its origin as liquid follows gravity and drips down.

Poisonous if it evaporates into a gas and is breathed?? Not freon, I hope??

The refrigerant is a gas. It won't drip anywhere. Some oil might seep out with the refrigerant but if the refrigerant has leaked out, it won't cool to produce frost ice.

There is nothing poisonous in the refrigerator.

Dan O.