Okay, we have a 4 year old Fridgidaire side-by-side fridge with the following "symptoms"

*for the past week or so, we have found that items like ice cream were not fully frozen or they appeared to have thawed and refroze. We assumed that our toddler had left the door open too long at some point.

*yesterday we arrived home to find everything in the freezer totally thawed out. Again we assumed that our toddler had opened the door and decided it was time to get a appliance lock of some kind.

*last night we noticed that there is water leaking in a fairly constant stream from below the ice/water dispenser - it is not leaking from the actual dispenser, but instead below the base of the opening

*it is making a loud humming sound (seems to be coming from the bottom possibly) that lasts about 15-20 seconds then stops and repeats every 3 to 4 minutes.

*we unplugged the fridge due to this humming sound last night. This morning I plugged it in again and it seemed to be working great - froze several bowls of water that I had placed in the freezer - but now the humming sound has returned and it's once again leaking water from below the ice/water dispenser.

Any insight? We'd sure like to get it running again without spending a fortune (that we can't afford right now... ) on a service call :o

It sounds like the compresspr is going off on its overload and may be more or a job than diy. I fyou have a multimeter and know how to use it post back for further help. Good Luck

No, we're not that inclined in such things unfortunately. One of my friends used to work in HVAC and he said that it sounds like it's probably the compressor, which would run about $200 and that we should just junk the $700 fridge because once the compressor goes bad it releases some oil into the system and it's just a matter of time before the replacement compressor would go out to?? Ugh.

Well, I have replaced many compressors and had none to fail after replacement. The system does have to be cleaned properly after a burn out to insure the new compressor. Yes it is an expensive repair and the $200 is about right for repair price. It is a tough call on a unit only 4 years old. I suspect the compressor as well but I would have it verified as bad. It would be worth it to a qulified tech to check it out.

I did not see the name brand of the frig , but it seems like the ge we bought had a 10 year warranty on the compressor. Check back in your owner's manual and see what the warranty states. You may be able to get it fixed just paying the labor, which would be less than the parts and labor. Check it out and best of luck.