Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    beece's Avatar
    beece Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Jan 23, 2013, 08:31 PM
    GE Profile PSS25SS Side by Side Ref - frost build up on rear of freezer
    Heyya,

    I have a GE Profile Side by Side ref, PSS25SS, with a heavy frost build up on the back of the freezer. When I thaw it out and start it up again, it is fine for a week or so and then stops working correctly again - it warms the freezer up to about 19 degrees and runs constantly. Could it be a heater bracket and assembly or the heater harness?

    I would appreciate any thoughts on what part I should be trying to replace.

    Thanks.
    drtom4444's Avatar
    drtom4444 Posts: 3,282, Reputation: 145
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #2

    Jan 24, 2013, 10:01 AM
    You need to check your defrost heater located under the freezer coils. Most likely it is burned out and needs replacing. There is also a thermistor that senses the temperature of the freezer coils. If it goes bad, the defrost heater will not come on. To test the thermistor you will, of course, need an ohm meter. There is a chart in the manual showing what the readings should be: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/8010163/GE_...ide_refrig.pdf
    https://dl.dropbox.com/u/8010163/How...e%20Manual.pdf
    Do not try a repair with no meter. You can easily ruin something by replacing good parts.
    beece's Avatar
    beece Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #3

    Jan 30, 2013, 08:16 PM
    Defrost heater tests fine with a multimeter. Is the next step to test the evaporator thermostat? I understand that the third possibility is the termistor, but I don't feel like I can check that myself. Does this model have a motherboard?

    Thanks for all the help.
    drtom4444's Avatar
    drtom4444 Posts: 3,282, Reputation: 145
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #4

    Jan 31, 2013, 09:14 AM
    Of course you have to check the t-stat. You have to submerge the t-stat in ice and water in order to test it. It should be closed at 32°. In order to test thermistors you use temperature and the chart to get the right readings. I know if my niece can do it, you should be able to do it. Buy a volt/ohm multimeter and learn to use it. It's really easy.
    beece's Avatar
    beece Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #5

    Feb 10, 2013, 04:23 PM
    Ended up cutting out the thermistor and in testing it with a digital multimeter, can't get any reading at all. Am I doing something wrong or is this a sign of a bad thermistor?
    drtom4444's Avatar
    drtom4444 Posts: 3,282, Reputation: 145
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #6

    Feb 10, 2013, 10:38 PM
    You have a bad thermistor unless your meter is bad. There is a chart in the manual that shows what it is supposed to read at certain temps. Chill it down and see what you read.
    beece's Avatar
    beece Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #7

    Feb 10, 2013, 11:02 PM
    Chilled it in ice water for 15 minutes, and it had no reading. Let it warm up, still no reading on the multimeter. Multimeter tested the heater correctly, and shows continuity in other items, such as a nail - plus shows zero resistance when used against itself as a baseline.

    I'm going to get a new thermistor and see what happens.
    drtom4444's Avatar
    drtom4444 Posts: 3,282, Reputation: 145
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #8

    Feb 11, 2013, 09:24 AM
    You are right to replace it. There are different thermistors in that refrigerator, so get the right one. The one you want probably detects the temperature when defrosting and terminates the defrost cycle when it gets 35-40°.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Frost free side by side freezer has ice build up inside and water drips on floor [ 0 Answers ]

My GE side by side frost free freezer is dripping water on floor under the doors. It also has ice buildup on the bottom under the storage tray. It is 12 years old. What do I do?

Maytag side by side fridge freezer build up of ice at bottom of freezer at the back [ 1 Answers ]

I noticed puddle of water on the floor underneath the freezer so checking where it is coming from I noticed a build up of ice at the back of the freezer at the bottom and realised the water was coming from that. Has anyone had this problem and is there a solution

I have a GE Profile side by side ref./freezer. New never used. When I plug it in the [ 0 Answers ]

I have a GEside by side ref./freezer. New, when I plug it in the ice maker auger motor start and will not stop even though the ice maker is switched to off. Also the water line is not connected. Any ideas why it will not shut off? Thanks

Kenmore Elite frost-free side by side, with ice maker, freezer building up frost [ 4 Answers ]

We have a Kenmore Elite frost-free side by side refrigerator with ice maker. It's 2 years old but for the past 2 year+ we've been having problems with the freezer building up frost around the inside, and then the refrigerator doesn't get cold. I have to unplug everything, take the shelves out of...

GE side-by-side refrigerator frost-free freezer coils has 1/2" ice [ 0 Answers ]

GE side by side refrigerator; frost-free freezer freezes up. I have a GE frost-free side by side refrigerator with ice maker. It's 7 years old but for the past six months I have been having problems with the freezer building up frost around the inside coils, and then the refrigerator doesn't get...

View more questions Search