My Frigidaire Freezer isn't freezing

[Jim Oaks]

I have a Frigidaire refrigerator with the freezer on top. Nothing fancy, just a normal fridge/freezer.

A few days ago, the freezer started making a knocking noise, and it seemed like the fan in the back of the freezer was hitting something which I figured was an ice buildup, so I emptied out the freezer, unplugged it, and let it set for several minutes to thaw. When I plugged it back in it seemed to work ok and wasn't making anymore knocking sounds. I had quite a bit of stuff in my freezer, so I turned the temp down a little to try and keep the fan from freezing back up.

Today I went to grab a popsicle out of the freezer, and they were melted. My meals and meats are still frozen, but there's a pizza in there that has thawed. I turned the freezer back up, but 9-hours later, the popsicles and pizza aren't freezing. I also don't feel air blowing from the back of the freezer when I open the door, but I didn't get a clear answer searching online about whether the fan should blow cold air when the door is open. I had also moved everything away from the back of the freezer when I thawed it to make sure the airflow wasn't blocked.

Now I'm kind of at a loss as to what the issue is. It's cold but not freezing. I put it on a colder setting, and I'll check it in the morning, but I have a feeling it's going to require some attention.

 

[ShhhhhDougsHere]

@Jim Oaks
Have you confirm that the fan for the freezer is still working?

 

[Curious Hound]

Check the coils on the back or bottom of the machine. Make sure there’s no accumulation of dust and dog hair. Its an often forgotten thing. How old is the machine?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Hate to say it, but usually when the freezer stops getting cold enough, the fridge is dying

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Hate to say it, but usually when the freezer stops getting cold enough, the fridge is dying

 

[Snoranger]

The fan was hitting something and now it doesn’t make the same noise or blow cold air… is the fan still attached to the motors shaft?

 

[Jim Oaks]

The fridge is around 4-years old.

I just checked and it hasn't gotten any colder, so I'm going to take the cover off in the back and inspect the fan. I don't think it's spinning anymore.

 

[SenorNoob]

Definitely sounds like you had ice build up. Happens every so often with the shop fridge at work. It takes 3-4 hours with the freezer door open, the plastic in the back of the freezer removed, and a fan blowing on the coils to melt the ice. Once it's gone, plug the fridge back in and it's good until somebody leaves the door cracked again.

 

[Jim Oaks]

​

I revomed this whole cover and there wasn't any ice build up. I unplugged the evaporator motor (fan) and tested it with an OHM meter and got nothing.

Couldn't find any appliance parts stores, so I ordered a new motor from Amazon. Would have been here on the 3rd, but there's an Amazon delivery locker a half hour away and I can pick it up there tomorrow. After sticking the back cover on I decided to check for voltage and got 123.9 Volts. So the fan gets power and isn't obstructed.

For now I'm using my new camp fridge as a freezer.

This YouTube video actually showed me how to check it out and was very helpful:

 

[ryan]

Youtube has been a godsend for appliance repair and diagnosis . Usually for what you've got going on either the compressor isnt compressoring or the fan isnt fanning

 

[Jim Oaks]

When I was a new homeowner I had a used washer and dryer that I got for $100. They were pretty basic (this was mid 1990s). At some point I had to replace a contact switch and a roller. Easy repairs.

My third house I watched a YouTube video to figure out how to change a heating element in our hot water tank.

Watched a YouTube video to figure out what was wrong with my ex girlfriends washer. The washer would end the cycle because it thought it was overloaded, but the drum sat on a shaft in a larger tub and rust kept the drum from floating upwards in that tub. I took it out, used a fine sandpaper on the shaft, cleaned it up, lubricated it, and it worked fine after that, but told her it was old and would need replaced at some point.

I buy basic appliances that have less things that can go wrong with them with hope that if they stop working I can fix them myself. I'm sure this YouTube video probably saved me a couple hundred bucks.

 

[SenorNoob]

Lots of people around here giving $20 credit for your old appliances when you buy one. They have common stuff in-stock and repair. Usually turn a $20 appliance into a $200 appliance for $30 of parts and a couple hours time. It's a great side job if you have the time and space.

 

[ShhhhhDougsHere]

Lots of people around here giving $20 credit for your old appliances when you buy one. They have common stuff in-stock and repair. Usually turn a $20 appliance into a $200 appliance for $30 of parts and a couple hours time. It's a great side job if you have the time and space.

I'll add.

And the knowledge.

 

[bobbywalter]

i specifically have old washer and dryer for re-buildability.


the modern stuff....especially the fridge situation is janky and very hard to get service parts for.

 

[Curious Hound]

i specifically have old washer and dryer for re-buildability.


the modern stuff....especially the fridge situation is janky and very hard to get service parts for.

Exactly.

And why do we need WiFi and apps and touch screen displays for a household refrigerator. It has 2 jobs - keep the cold stuff cold and the frozen stuff frozen. Light when I open the door is optional.