Freezing fridge!

[cassa333]

My fridge has gone mad and is freezing everything in it.

I have turned it down but it either is so low it switches off or carries on freezing.

It is over two years old.

Is it knackered or can I get it fixed do you think?

Thanks

[Clanad]

You don't state if it's a combination freezer/fridge and if it is, whether it's a side by side or over/under.

If, as you say, it's freezing the things on the fridge side, let's assume it's a side-by-side and the freezer side works fine. If that's the case, it's likely the airflow control mechanism between the two sides is not working. It's usually (depending on brand) a small door affair at the top of the wall between the two compartments. It's controlled by the thermostat one sets for the fridge side. It's usually fairly inexpensive to replace and can be done by an astute DIYer.

I'm in the U.S., but here's what one model looks like and the cost... http://www.repairclinic.com/SSPartDetail.aspx? s=t-SRD27SRW-%3d%3dc221i237368&PartID=237368

Keep in mind that here's usually only one source of cold air to both sides, that being from the compressor to the freezer side and then shuttled to the fridge side.

You could, when the unit is running, simply hold your hand up to the vent and see how much air is moving versus turning the thermostat up (higher temp) by comparison.

I've seen some models that has a small metal lever that attaches the described vent to the electrically operated motor that modulates it. Sometime this lever can be easily detached and the door moved by hand until you can get it replaced...

Good luck!

[Pigletion]

Is the drain at the back of it blocked? Inside, near the bottom, at the back above vegetable draw, there should be a hole where the condensation disappears to..

Also, are you sure the door is closing properly? Our fridge kept opening itself (well was probably a bottle of milk or something, but was closed when you left it, but open when you came back) so was then working overtime and freezing stuff to the back!

[cassa333]

Thanks.

I shall check the drain. The door shuts properly. I have checked that and it still needs the 'pop' to open it.

It is just a fridge.

Cassa

[cassa333]

Sorry forgot to add... How do you unblock it? It is only a little hole behind the shelf???

[cassa333]

Mystery solved...

The top seal around the door wasn't flush and has a kink in it.

I now need to know how to fix the kink?

Will I need a whole new seal or can they be made to go back into shape?

Thanks

[Pigletion]

Just looked at ours and it says "to unblock the drain, use the plastic plunger". Have no idea if this came with it, as I have never seen such a plunger..

Sorry, that's not terribly helpful! I would ask my Mum or use something non-metallic like a straw or something

[ginvodka]

I have used a cotton bud to clean the drain, as said plunger has disappeared.

[cassa333]

I thought I had solved the problem as the seal around the top wasn't flush.

I have managed to get it back into shape but it is still freezing everything.

[Clanad]

I didn't want to start an argument, but I failed to see how the plugged drain (or not) would have any effect on the lack of temperature control.

Since yours isn't a freezer/fridge I suspect the thermostat has gone T.U... sometimes there are timers associated with thermostats ... that might have failed...

[Rollo]

You do need to keep the drain free of blockages.

I have found the best thing to use to clear a blockage in the drain is a pipe cleaner. That's a cleaner for a tobacco pipe.

[madmaggot]

I had this problem with my 15 month old fridge/freezer. Fortunately still under 2 year warranty.
When the engineer came he said it couldn't be repaired because there was only one thermostat for the whole thing. I got a replacement one but this one was only on 12 month warranty so I think they must be having the same problem with lots of these. I paid for 5 year, new for old cover on it, just in case!
I can't believe they are so stupid as to design them so that they can't be repaired!

[Andyvon]

From what you say it certainly sounds like the thermostat has failed cassa. The thermostat is either simply switching the fridge 'off' or 'on' in which case the motor is running continuously and not cutting out at the pre-set temperature. I think you'll have to call out the repairman and have a new thermostat fitted.

It's irritating that manufactured goods aren't designed to be long-lasting or repairable today. Think about it though - if manufacturers made products and components that lasted for years then they would be doing themselves out of business. Car components such as exhausts are a good example. They need things to regularly fail to keep your money coming in!

[DavidAbbott]

Sounds like the thermostat has gone. Can be replaced, and if your machine is only 2 years old, this might be reasonable. Cost will be the part cost plus a call-out charge, which will probably be in the region of �40 to �50.

[PLIVELY34]

replace the door. if there's a gap in the seal it will cause the overfreezing