GE SxS – Freezer Cold, Fridge Warm – Model# GSS22KGMCCC
I believe I diagnosed the problem as a result of following Samurai wisdom found in the following article, but as a Grasshopper, require verbal affirmation. http://fixitnow.com/wp/2006/07/13/defrosting-problem-on-ge-sxs-refrigerators-with-the-motherboard-in-back/
Problem 1: Last week the freezer remained cold and the fridge temp began to slowly warm up to 60F.
Action Steps 1: I unplugged unit and allowed to manually defrost for 36 hours. I also cleaned vents and coils to assure max heat transfer. As a grasshopper, I did not attempt to uncover the evaporator to check if frost was built up. Lots of water dripped onto the floor during 36 hour manual defrost period.
Result1 : Plugged unit in and it worked great again. Freezer was 0 F or so and fridge 38ish on setting 8/10. So, I figured by this the “working” core refrigeration system was OK – compressor, no leaks, etc.
Problem 2: Approx 5 days later…same as problem 1, except I began working on problem when I noticed fridge running around 50F.
Action Steps 2: I uncovered the evaporator and it was frosted from head to toe! See attached pic. I found your article above, jumped J9 to J11, plugged the unit back in, held the door switch in the closed position and did not see the defrost heater glowing.
QUESTION: Based on this, is it fairly certain that by replacing the defrost heater and/or defrost thermostat problem resolved? Should I check anything else?
the defrost heater is 18 ohms
the thermostat is just a switch, should be 0 ohms if cold (frozen)
if it’s still frosted up, just check from J1-9 on the motherboard to neutral (the big flat pin) of the power plug (disconnected)
should read about 18 ohms if the heater & thermostat are good
should read about 3400 ohms if the heater is bad, but the thermostat is good
should read infinite ohms if the thermostat is bad.
