Self defrost fridge/freezer problem-not brand specific

[australstar]

Although my appliance is a Westinghouse (Australian) fridge/freezer RJ275M and ten years old, I'd like to pose this as a generic fridge/freezer problem. Can anyone offer an informed opinion on the likely causes of an otherwise great self-defrosting fridge working perfectly for 7-8 weeks then the temperature rises and the unit has to be switched off and defrosted for 48 hours and then restarted. The service agents cleaned the drainage system which has had no effect and the problem remains. Thank you so much in anticipation of a solution.

[RegUS_PatOff]

bad Defrost Heater

bad Defrost Heater Terminator (thermal switch in series with heater)

bad Defrost Timer

[Dan O.]

[QUOTE=australstar]

self-defrosting fridge works perfectly for 7-8 weeks then the temperature rises and the unit has to be switched off and defrosted for 48 hours[/QUOTE]Is the compressor still running when it ceases cooling?

If the compressor IS running, what is the frost pattern on the actual evaporator (cooling coil) like when it stops cooling? Complete across its whole surface or just partial?

If the evaporator is frosted uniformly across its whole surface, a defrost system problem (see the following link) is the most likely possibility. Poor air movement across its surface is another, although less likely, possibility.

LINK > How does a frost free refrigerator's defrost system work? (http://www.appliance411.com/links/jump.cgi?ID=658)

BTW. I do not know if your Australian refrigerator model is designed in the same way as North American models described at the link above.


If the frosting of the evaporator coil is just partial, a refrigeration system problem (see the following link) is likely.

LINK > My frost free refrigerator is not cooling properly. What might be the problem? (http://www.appliance411.com/links/jump.cgi?ID=659)


http://www.acmeparts.com/forum/images/icons/icon2.gif If the compressor ceasing to operate is causing the poor cooling, someone would need to look into why it stops.


The service agents cleaned the drainage system which has had no effect and the problem remains.Did they inspect it *while in its failed state* or only after it have been defrosted??

In order to get to the bottom of problems, the appliance needs to be investigated when the problem is present. It would be hard to mistake a defrost system failure for a plugged drain if the refrigerator was still in its failed state. One causes an excessive "frost" build up, the other "ice".

JFYI

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site (http://www.appliance411.com/parts/?ref411=White-Westinghouse+Fridge)
=D~~~~~~

[australstar]

Thank you for your replies. Not being a DIY person, I'm referring your responses to my son. Thanks for your time.