Forum Question: Amana Refrigerator

Below you will find a question from an online visitor to our forums on our website http://www.archangelappliancerepair.com . If you have any questions feel free to register and post as well. A Free Service. Also feel free to post a tidbit about your business. Blessings- ArchAngel

Question: I have an Amana side by side with a vent that flows from the freezer to a "chiller compartment" in the door. The refrigerator door was left ajar for about a 24 hour period, and the items in the freezer defrosted in addition to the refrigerator being not able to cool. We salvaged the food that we could, and made sure the door was closed tight. We were surprised that it did not "recover", so inspected it more closely and found that the coils were frozen in the freezer. We took a hair dryer and blew them until the fan kicked on and cool air began to blow. We have done this numerous times, but it keeps freezing back over. I thought maybe I was not defrosting this enough, so I unplugged the refrigerator for 5 days, then plugged it back in, but the same results. I cannot keep cold items in the fridge, only what we need, and I am blow drying the coils every few hours. We do not have the money for a repairman, and we live far from you (on the NC/TN border). If you could give me any advice so that we can repair it, I would be more than happy to send you a consulting gratuity. Thank you so much for your time!
BZMommy
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Response: Can you give me the make, model and serial number?

This way I can look up the part numbers and price for you.

If you have an ohm meter you can check the necessary parts.

I think you need either the defrost heater or defrost thermostat but without being there I can't say for sure. You are gonna need to test them both using an ohm meter. Do you know how to use one? --Here are some quick directions

look on Sears' website under their parts section and use your model number to look up a diagram of your inner workings or look at your buyer's manual if you still have it.

1. Find your defrost heater and defrost thermostat on the diagram.
2. Make sure the whole unit is unplugged. Warning!
3. Remove the back panel from the freezer side and inspect for faults/ ie burnt evidence on the defrost heater and or thermostat.
4. Disconnect the wires to the heater.
5. Do this also with the defrost thermostat wires as well.
6. Then ohm them out. --Put one lead to one side of the heater and one lead to the other side and then do the same for the thermostat.
7. If you get an O.L either time then that is your problem. If you get numbers, you are good to go. - Called Ohming it out.


It is less likely that you would need a defrost timer. This would be the last resort but these rarely go bad.


Best bet is if you don't want to purchase a new refrigerator which I think is important, no appliances in landfills, then just replace them both. It is usually always one or the other.

Just make sure to get out your buyer's manual or go to that Sears site and get a diagram. Parts go on just like they come off. If you are easily forgetful, get someone to video you taking it off. That way if you lose your way you can refresh your memory. I personally would suggest even though you are having a tough time financially right now to go ahead and call a repairman to help you. That way, you get at least a 90 day warranty usually on parts and labor. If you aren't careful you can pierce a hole in something/ ie the coil... and then you have a whole other can of worms and are best buying a whole new fridge price wise. It shouldn't cost you more than $90 bucks for someone to come out and help you.... We called everyone round here and that is the low to medium price and what we flat rate for. Call around to the folks in your town and see what their prices are, and parts. I can give you the parts price here and you can let them know ahead you know that much. That way you don't get taken advantage of.


If you do decide to fix it yourself, as always, read our disclaimer on our homepage. I hope that helped and thanks so much for your question! Too bad you live so far, for folks having trouble financially we don't mind trading a chicken or something from time to time... smile We have 7 children, not all live with us all the time, but we get that times are tough. We are just riding out the tide as well. The Lord always takes care of us....


And if you can't get it fixed, and have to buy a new one, please please recycle your old fridge.

Blessings

ArchAngel
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Response: Thank you so much for your response. I'm not sure of the make, but the serial number is 9903115320, the model number is srd23vw, and the mfg number is p1315306ww. Hopefully this is enough info. We do not have an ohm meter, but I think I can borrow one.

I'm very grateful for your assistance. We also have discovered over the years that the Lord always provides what we need when we need it.
BZMommy
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Response: Ok, I didn't forget ya, just been busy.... which is good, but....

so, here goes

part number description price
12017823 Substitution: R0161088 Thermostat 34.45
12049801 Defrost Heater/ Evaporator 30.31
10530703 Defrost timer 32.12- this is the one that is likely NOT the prob but if they other two don't work, try this.


That should do it and also get you more life out of the fridge.

Now, my program for looking up parts with our product distributor was down tonight... scheduled maintenance. These prices are from Sears.com here is the link

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/getSubComp.pd?modelNumber=SRD23VW-P1315306WW&productCategoryId=0165000&brandId=1268&modelName=SIDE-BY-SIDE-REFRIGERATOR&diagramPageId=00008&componentDescription=DRAIN/ROLLERS/EVAP&documentId=P9080173&backToLink=Return%20to%20Sub%20Components%20list


We prefer G&E Parts out of Spartanburg. They are great. number is 18002268989


Sears has the diagrams yall need to know what you are doing if you are gonna wing this.

I wish yall were closer, would help you out. Let me know how it goes.


Many blessings to you!

ArchAngel


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Thanks kindly for your questions and posts!

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