Refrigerator Defrost System: Repair and Replacing Parts

Refrigerator Parts: Repair and Replace

It looks Fan-tastic!

Note the blue rubber fan blade near the top

Observe all refrigerator parts including the freezer fan when you start to defrost and remove the freezer (inside) rear panels. (While everything is frosted.)

The freezer fan looks okay in this photo. I plugged the refrigerator back in after removing the panels (for a few seconds) and observed the fan turning freely. Keep your fingers out of here while plugged in!

Sometimes ice can form on the fan or fan motor, and of course, prevents the fan from turning. This would mean that no air could flow from the freezer compartment to the refrigerator compartment through the freezer diverter and/or damper.

LET'S GET TO IT!

New Defrost Heater Element w/thermo

After you complete your diagnosis by eliminating the above-mentioned problems and ruling out the ADC/Timer, the next step is to replace the defrost heating element with an assembly (kit) that includes a new defrost thermostat.

To make this diagnosis, you probably already removed the panels described in the next section. I will recap the removal procedure for those who may not have done that, but have a good idea that this is the problem.

Remember, the model illustrated here is a Maytag wide-by-side, but other units may be similar, since some appliances are made by the same manufacturer under different brand names. The job is relatively simple, and can be done with little experience, if you are good at following directions, like unplugging the refrigerator BEFORE you start. If you have a digital camera, this is the time to take some detailed photos to help your memory when you are reinstalling parts!

At this point, you probably unplugged your refrigerator to begin the manual defrost. Clear the inside of the freezer section of all shelves and the ice maker bucket assembly. The ice maker bucket assembly won’t get in the way, but it snaps right out (no screws or bolts to take out), and you can dump the ice cubes in the sink.

Ice Maker and Bucket

The directions for removing the bucket are stamped on the ice maker bucket (front lip underneath) (just remove the bucket and front piece, no more!) Don't try to take the whole bracket out! This is better than dealing with a bucket of water later or trapped ice cubes melting on your head!

Freezer Diagram

(right click to enlarge)

Inside of the freezer compartment, remove the very bottom panel by removing three hex screws on the panel (see #20 in freezer diagram) and by loosening the two hex screws on the middle panel (see #19 in freezer diagram). Carefully wiggle the middle panel out. Do not remove the top panel. (see #15 in freezer diagram)

The bottom panel (see #20 in freezer diagram) may be frozen to the coils, so gently and slowly pull the cover off. Be careful not to damage the foam insulators on the back of the panel.

Ice covered evaporator coils

You should see the ice covered coils. The defrost heater wires and fuses (2) are intertwined through the coils (right side with you facing the coils) and are connected to the defrost thermostat in a series to an adapter plug, a one-way plastic connector (top-middle-right of photo). Note the two black wires going to the connector and thermostat (aluminum with black top in center of photo.)

Pan to collect melting ice

Set up a pan inside the freezer compartment to collect the melting ice water. Depending on how much the coils are iced, you may get 1-2 quarts of water. Use aluminum foil to make a funnel to by-pass the trough and drain under the freezer coils. DO NOT pick or pry the ice from these coils. You can damage the wires and the coils by trying to speed up the melting process. Let the heat do the job!

Suction any water from the evaporator tray

(little white tray)

Even though you will try to prevent the water from going in the drain trough (see #14 in freezer diagram), some will go down anyhow. Have a suction bulb ready to suction water from the pan in the rear so that it won’t overflow.

Since the refrigerator isn’t running, the usual method of evaporation of water will not occur, since no fan is blowing air across the pan and the amount of melting ice is increased.

PATIENCE ISN'T ONE OF MY VIRTUES!

You can speed up the process by using a hair dryer to blow warm air across the frozen coils or by safely putting a space heater in the room (NOT INSIDE THE FREEZER) near the open door (not close enough to heat or burn the door!) This will speed up the defrost, but creates a lot of water in a short time. Do NOT leave any warming device unattended!

Refrigerator Parts--Defrost System

Heater, Thermostat, Timer/Adaptive Defrost Control

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