Refrigeration Appliance guys...questions/help

[rumblecloud]

GE Upright side-by-side with water/ice dispenser...circa 2011
Freezer side is not cooling. Fridge side seems ok.
Fan is running constantly. Compressor is warm to hot (as the fan is running to keep it cool.)
Took off the back panels and did all the basic stuff -- nothing unusual, typical amount of dust and hair balls (cats)
Pulled the run capacitor and the start capacitor (?). Nothing unusual there either.
Control panel looks clean. No discoloration or burn points.

Almost not worth fixing -- just buy a new one and slide this in the barn for beer... uh ...I mean extra cat food storage...or something.

Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. Fridge is currently taking up space in my small kitchen. Going out to day to scout prices -- usually in the 1,000 to 1500 range.---geez.

Thanks, R

 

[Uncle Gump]

My fridge is doing the same. About the same age.

You went further then I did... mine had beagle hair.

Was looking for a replacement yesterday after I went for the ice cream for strawberry shortcake... and it was nearly soup.

 

[rumblecloud]

yeah, I hear ya. Had to eat all the ice cream.
Prolly could've just taken it to the downstairs fridge, but wheres the fun in that?

 

[Roert42]

If it makes you feel any better, my ice cube maker in the fridge is not making ice.

Literally the only reason I bought this fridge is for the ice cube dispenser.

 

[SenorNoob]

I usually find the side-by-sides frozen up. Quick replacement of the defrost heater fixes them right up.

 

[rumblecloud]

I usually find the side-by-sides frozen up. Quick replacement of the defrost heater fixes them right up.

Thanks Senor. Looking over the wiring diagram and can't find the defrost heater. There is a panel in the back of the freezer section that's hiding a set of coils. there is also a set under the fridge part - at least I think that's what it is. Can't really get a good look at it as it's covered by a tight screen.
Just returned from scouting prices. I'm thinking of tossing this one in the barn and work on the problem out there where I have room -- there's just no room to start taking sh*t apart here in the kitchen.
New delivery won't happen for at least 4-6 days to get one that's close to what we want. In the meantime it'll be up and down the basement stairs ---ugh.

I'll be loading up the parts canon here shortly.

 

[rumblecloud]

Found the defrost heater in the diagram ---yea!



Found it on Amazon...double yea!
Defrost Heater

 

[DandysRanger]

I hope that works for you. If not, my go-to for appliance repair is Repair Clinic

 

[OEMcustom]

Some fridges have a coolant diverter that goes bad, and requires brazing to replace it.
If the freezer side is refrigerator temp, its probably a leak in the sealed system. You can get a clamp on valve and if you have the gauges and a can of 134 you can put leak stop and charge it.
If you have an amp meter and the compressor is pulling more than 4 amps, probably a bad compressor.

the fact that the fridge side is cool enough but the freezer isn't leads me to believe its a sealed system issue

 

[rumblecloud]

If you're right, that would - excuse the expression - seal the fate of this unit for sure.
Thank you for your help. I'll see if I can find out if this unit has the diverter.

 

[SenorNoob]

That's the exact same heater I replaced here a few months ago. It was in the bottom of the freezer side on a '98 GE Profile 2. I had heavy icing behind the plastic. It took 2 days to thaw with the door open.