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Lockedrefrigerator runs a lot

posted on October 28, 2009 at 04:15PM Inappropriate?

My 10ish year old refrigerator has been running a lot the last few months.  I am getting water in the crispers and have to soak it out under the crispers every couple weeks.  I've cleaned the coils etc,  Anyone have any ideas as to what it could be before i call in a repair person.  It seems to be keeping even temps in frig and freezer areas.  thanks!

replies: 13 latest post: November 07, 2009 at 01:01PM by AdamO
Displaying all 13 posts
posted on October 31, 2009 at 02:18AM
 

Sounds like a top freezer refrigerator with a stopped up drain.  Every time the unit defrosts, water will run down into the refrigerator instead of down the drain tube.

-Barry

posted on October 31, 2009 at 01:08PM
 

I have the same problem.  Can this drain tube be unclogged without calling a repairman?

posted on October 31, 2009 at 02:10PM
 

ChrisWich: check out the post: water discharge into freezer compartment thru lower vents at base of freezer    i think i'll try this and let you know if it worked in a few days...

posted on November 01, 2009 at 12:31AM
 

It sounds like a much easier repair than it actually is.  If you wanted to attempt this yourself, here is a basic process description without model specifics:

First, disconnect the power cord from the power source. 

Generally, the rear panel inside the freezer will need to taken off in order to access the defrost drain trough and opening. On some models, you may have to remove an air tower first which would be covering the fan motor. On some models the floor of the freezer must be removed in order to access the drain hole in the drain trough. NOTE: Be careful once you remove the rear panel, the aluminum fins are razor sharp.  The trough will probably be full of ice that will need to be removed.  When the ice is out of the trough, you will be able to see the drain hole - plugged with ice. Use hot water to clear the drain hole. Keep adding the hot water into the hole and wiping away the excess. This can take quite awhile depending on how deep the ice is. This will need to be done until you get a good water flow down to the bottom drain pan. With the drain system clear, water will stop leaking in the refrigerator.

-Barry

posted on November 01, 2009 at 01:09AM
 

Can't this also be accomplished by turning it off and letting it thaw out for a couple days with doors open?

thanks

posted on November 01, 2009 at 09:04AM
 

Would a blow dryer help in the thaw process?

posted on November 01, 2009 at 09:53AM
 
In response to BC-Sage's post from November 01 2009 12:31AM

Barry,

Thank you for your time in giving the very detailed info!   It's in my ancestral blood to fix things. (But I still wish my Dad was here!)  So this can be attempted without emptying the fridge, just the freezer?   Its a Whirlpool # ET18ZKXDW00, '94.  I didn't realize how old it was. 

 

posted on November 01, 2009 at 09:57AM
 
In response to hvnlydze's post from October 31 2009 02:10PM

hvnlydze:  Yes--you go first!   

posted on November 06, 2009 at 11:28PM
 
In response to ChrisWich's post from November 01 2009 09:53AM
ChrisWich said…

Barry,

Thank you for your time in giving the very detailed info!   It's in my ancestral blood to fix things. (But I still wish my Dad was here!)  So this can be attempted without emptying the fridge, just the freezer?   Its a Whirlpool # ET18ZKXDW00, '94.  I didn't realize how old it was. 

 

I would recommend emptying the refrigerator too.  It'll give you a great chance to clean everything, and easier to wipe up the water.

-Barry

posted on November 06, 2009 at 11:30PM
 
In response to c2setters's post from November 01 2009 09:04AM
c2setters said…

Would a blow dryer help in the thaw process?

Help, yes.  Worth doing? No.

posted on November 06, 2009 at 11:36PM
 
In response to hvnlydze's post from November 01 2009 01:09AM
hvnlydze said…

Can't this also be accomplished by turning it off and letting it thaw out for a couple days with doors open?

thanks

Yes, but I can almost guarantee your refrigerator will want a little bit of deodorizer in it.

Trivia:  In Sterns county, MN they would say, "Leave the doors open and let it unthaw for a couple days."

Unthaw...  - pet peeve of mine.

-Barry

posted on November 07, 2009 at 11:56AM
 

Well I opened the door and let it 'unthaw' (as they say in MN)..haven't seen any water since it's been plugged back in...about 5 days.  However it's still running A LOT.  Am I destined to call in a repair person??? 

posted on November 07, 2009 at 01:01PM
 

Make sure the cold settings are set to default normals and not "turned up", which will cause your compressor to work longer and may re-start the ice dam process.

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