Source
r/appliancerepair•
Fewleftstanding

Kenmore Elite Deep Freezer not freezing

SOLVED

Hello,

I recently purchased a Kenmore Elite 20.6 cu. ft. Upright Freezer (Model# 253.26072101) on craigslist. It is 9 years old and the guy I bought it from was the original owner and provided me with the manuals and original receipt from Sears. He was selling a ton of stuff as he was moving, and the freezer looked in good working condition when I was there. Transported it home pretty gently, though I understand these things may not move very well?

I got my freezer home, all excited.. had to remove the freezer door as well as a door inside my house to get it where I want it. I transported it on its back, so I left it for 24 hours before plugging it in. After I plugged it in, I left it overnight. It is only cooling down to 28F-34F.

Troubleshooting that I've done:

  • Followed all troubleshooting steps in manual (Not on GFCI circuit, freezer is level, etc)

  • Tried the Quick Freeze feature as well as with it off

  • Verified that the door gasket is good.. good seal

  • Verified that all electrical connections are plugged in tight

  • Removed the cover at the inside bottom of the freezer and verified that the condensor coil is clean (looks great!!) and that the evaporator fan is spinning.

Later today I'm going to check the compressor for continuity.. does anyone have any other ideas? Getting pretty frustrated with this thing.

One other thing I should note.. when I was moving the freezer I snapped the door sensing switch off, but I was able to put it back together with the spring, connected it to the correct wires and when i push it in it turns the inside light off and appears to work good..I don't think the freezing issue is related.

Thank you very much for your time!

Posted Sep 22, 2016, 8:01 PM UTC · edited

216
BusterFoyt•

What is the model #? Is the compressor running? Is there a fan in compressor area? The evaporator (in freezer compartment) should have a full frost pattern after running for a couple of hours. Keep the doors closed.

1
FewleftstandingOP•

Thanks for the reply! I forgot to paste the model # in, my bad. It's 253.26072101.

The compressor is definitely running. I also just checked the continuity..its good. I just took a closer look in the compressor area- I didn't see a fan. I took some pictures: http://imgur.com/a/uOCsg

I just noticed that's a small plastic piece broken off- it looks like it holds a copper piece in place- it goes between the compressor and evaporator.. could this do it? I could cover it with tape for now and test..? I took a photo, its the last one in the album.

1
The_Cheez_BaronModerator/Tech•

OP, if the compressor is running & has been running before you took that picture of the evaporator, you have a sealed system problem. Those coils should be completely frosted over. Does that sound about right?

1
FewleftstandingOP•

Yeah, that sounds exactly like it. The coils aren't frosting over. Is that something that can be fixed, or should I try to scrap/sell the freezer + parts?

1
The_Cheez_BaronModerator/Tech•

That's sad, I'm sorry :( it would be a very large repair, so you definitely can't use it. There's no way the last guy didn't know that - I would contact him to try and get a refund. If not, it's just worth about as much as the scrap itself. Sorry to say :(

2
theappliancetechTechnician•

< I recently purchased a Kenmore Elite 20.6 cu. ft. Upright Freezer (Model# 253.26072101) on craigslist

I can almost promise you it's leaking freon and can't cool back down. 7 years is about the lifespan on these frigidaire freezers from what I see.

1
FewleftstandingOP•

Thank you for replying. It was working before I picked it up.. do you think I broke it somehow? Is there a way to test whether it's leaking freon?

1
theappliancetechTechnician•

Let it run for a few hours and post a pic of the evaporator. We'd want to see the frost build up on the evaporator.

2
Thrgd456Friendly Neighborhood Technician •

253.26072101

If that evaporator doesn't get to below freezing after running for 20 minutes with the door closed then you have a sealed system issue. The only way to narrow down what the exact problem with the SS is would be to open it up, install valves, put gauges on it. But this is all academic. The repair price would be many hundreds of dollars no matter what the sealed system problem is. Can I have the compressor?

2
FewleftstandingOP•

Thanks for the help. I'll think about it.. I might try to sell some of the parts to recoup my investment.. wasn't planning on throwing away $300 on a freezer this week. :(

1
[deleted]•

[removed]

1
The_Cheez_BaronModerator/Tech•

I'd like you to explain to me in 2 paragraphs or less exactly how a "selection of good cheap Gaskets" helps in the slightest in this context.

1
michaelhanlon505•

They have a selection of Gaskets that would suit the issue.

They are cheap to to buy

(Therefore they can provide a solution to the problem. I didn't have to write paragraphs when two sentences will do.)

1
The_Cheez_BaronModerator/Tech•

Gaskets for what? The compressor? Even as a repair company, we don't attempt to open a sealed compressor. Additionally, the problem is in the sealed system loop anyways. Gaskets can't cover an entire refrigerant loop.

1