Kenmore drain tube ice

[copy1]

:confused:
I notice several threads where the top freezer kenmore fridges ice up in the drain tube and then the ice backs up in the freezer & drips into the fridge.

The often recommended simple fix is to wrap a wire around the defroster coil and stick it down the drain tube to keep it open.

I have manually melted the ice in it twice and then it will work "drain" for awhile. Allthough the schematic shows a defrost coil, I see no such heating element in the freezer to tie to.

There is a plastic cover dead center on the rear freezer wall, but I can't figure out how to get it off w/o breakage, is the defroster behind this cover?

As this fridge is out of town I don"t have the complete model #, it starts w/"106" and is less than 6 years old. .

Any assistance is appreciated.

Jim

[woodchuck]

The entire inside back is removable in most models to access the evaporator coil and the defrost heater . I've never tried the wire in the drain. I always make sure the drain is clear all the way to the drip pan. The end can stop up with dust and mold and will drain too slow allowing the water to freeze at the top.

[copy1]

Thanks Woodchuck,
Once I figured out that the icemaker had to be removed first, access was easy.

It looks like the ice maker water supply is the cause of the ice as ice is piled up around the coils all the way up to the fill tube. Melted all the ice out & I did not see any leaks or issues w/ the ice maker so I will leave the water off till we get back up to the cabin again. I fashioned a copper wire from the defrost element and stuck it down the drain just in case.

Thanks again,

Jim :)