[Mackly]

I unplugged it for about ten hours then plugged it back in
And got the same results. Pulled the pannel off the inside
And the entire coil system wa caked in frost almost solid.

Went to defrost timer and turned until compressor and fan
Shut off. Heating coil inside was on and defrosted the coils
Then the freezer kicked back on in about 20 minutes. Now
What, is it fixed ? Do I need a new defrost timer and or defrost
Thermostat ? Thanks

[drtom4444]

It sounds like you need a new timer. Replace it and clean your condenser coils and it should work fine. Unplug the unit and remove back panel, then spray down coils with cleaner ans wash off with hose nozzle until clean. Clean out defrost pan and vacuum up with wet-vac. Make sure to clean fan blades because just a little dirt kills airflow.

[Mackly]

It sounds like you need a new timer. Replace it and clean your condenser coils and it should work fine. Unplug the unit and remove back panel, then spray down coils with cleaner ans wash off with hose nozzle until clean. Clean out defrost pan and vacuum up with wet-vac. Make sure to clean fan blades because just a little dirt kills airflow.

Thanks a bunch, ordered the timer. Hope I don't become a "parts changer" on this one, lol. I'll be back with the out come.

[drtom4444]

I will await your reply. Timers are apt to go out after a while anyway. You should also have a defrost heater and defrost terminator on hand because they will also go out soon. It would not hurt to keep them on hand. They go out at about the same time the timer does and they all work together. If you take the cover off the freezer coils you can see the defrost heater at the bottom of the coils. Many times the heater is encased in a glass tube. If it is beginning to look burnt then it will go out soon. The terminator is a round t-stat attached by wire to the heater and clipped onto the side or top of the coils. If you follow one of the heater wires you will find it. It opens at around 34-38° F to end the defrost cycle and prevent overheating. Sometimes the terminator also has a fan switch in it to keep the freezer fan off until the coil temp drops to 20°F. These parts are the entire defrost system and last several years. Make sure to clean the condenser coils at least twice a year to prevent compressor failure and high energy use and shortened life of unit. It cannot cool if it's starved for air. Clean fan, too, because only a little dirt stops a lot of airflow. Wash them off with spray soap and water. A hose nozzle works best.

[Mackly]

Ok Tom, I replaced the defrost timer and defrost thermostat, skipped
The heater because money's a little tight. Plugged her back in and still
Had frost forming along the top of the coils.

Let the frost melt, plugged her back in and turned the timer just past the
Second click. About an hour later the ice cube trays had a thin layer of
Ice, Ya Hoo ! You could feel the fan pushing the cool air. Grabbed the bait
I had on ice in the cooler, threw it in, shut the door and gave myself a pat
On the back.

Checked again in another hour and the soon to be ice cubes were water
Once again and the coils are freezing over . Maybe that's what I get for
Being cheap !

[drtom4444]

I think you needed a defrost heater, but if it was totally defrosted it should have worked fine. Let it totally thaw out and this time test the heater with an ohm meter. If it has about 100 ohms resistance it's good, if it reads infinity or flashes like your leads have touched nothing, then it's bad. You could also have a bad fan motor on the condenser coil or the condenser coil could be full of dirt. You have to wash the condenser coils out with spray cleaner and water, like from a hose sprayer. Also, check your thermostat to make sure it's not turning the compressor off too soon. Do not just change a t-stat, either. There's a special way to change them.

[Mackly]

Thanks again for all your help ! Left the freezer plugged in ysterday
And let it run its course. Had ice this morning so threw a couple steaks
In before leaving for work, hard as a rock !

[drtom4444]

Great. It sounds like it has begun to defrost like it should. I advise you to either get a defrost heater for later or at least know how to order it and how to test it. Good Luck!