Last rites for a fridge?

fieldgrade;n77584 said:
So then let me ask, if this might be the case should I anticipate some issues in the future? This GE Profile was bought new around 2001. Everything seems to working as it should this morning.
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Yes.

If its an old style that has a defrost timer, I would suggest ordering a replacement along with the PTC relay. The PTC relay is the little wart on the compressor that acts like a start relay. Those are the two highest failure components on old style fridges. For OEM parts you may be looking a $100-$150. I have used Supco defrost timers ($35) and the Supco universal 3N1 start kit ($20) for years and have not had a problem with them.

If its the new style (energy star) they have PCB boards and are computer controlled. Depending on the cost and availablity of the board, I wouldnt change that out yet. I would make sure I could get one in less than 48 hours.
 
Dishwashers using electricity? Mine uses Ajax and a rag. :D

I think my fridge is from 1985? Knock on wood, but its been a good one. Its exactly like the one my parents had in the house I grew up in.
 
cold1;n78987 said:
Yes.

If its an old style that has a defrost timer, I would suggest ordering a replacement along with the PTC relay. The PTC relay is the little wart on the compressor that acts like a start relay. Those are the two highest failure components on old style fridges. For OEM parts you may be looking a $100-$150. I have used Supco defrost timers ($35) and the Supco universal 3N1 start kit ($20) for years and have not had a problem with them.

If its the new style (energy star) they have PCB boards and are computer controlled. Depending on the cost and availablity of the board, I wouldnt change that out yet. I would make sure I could get one in less than 48 hours.
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Thanks very much for this help. The fridge/freezer is maintaining proper temperature now after 2 full days, but each morning I have about a half cup of water puddled in the top left glass shelf of the fridge, and looking above it I see no evidence of a drip or where it came from. Weird. Ice is completely frozen in the freezer as if it never thawed.

So... Supco defrost timer? or timer and 3n'1 start kit? I have found both on line. $31 total shipped. I don't mind buying an extra part, but if I don't need it... that's one less youtube installation video to find and watch. :)
 
fieldgrade;n80896 said:
Thanks very much for this help. The fridge/freezer is maintaining proper temperature now after 2 full days, but each morning I have about a half cup of water puddled in the top left glass shelf of the fridge, and looking above it I see no evidence of a drip or where it came from. Weird. Ice is completely frozen in the freezer as if it never thawed.
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The penny test: Place a small cup of water in the freezer and let it freeze. You only need about 1/2 inch of water. Once frozen, place a penny on top of the ice. Let it set in the freezer for a day or two. Pull it out and see if the penny is still on top of the ice. If the penny has dropped below the surface of the ice, your defrost cycle is not working correctly. Depending on how much the penny dropped lets you know how severe the problem is. If it has barely sunk below the surface, not much to worry about. If it has become completely submerged in the ice, you have a major problem.
 
cold1;n81997 said:
The penny test: Place a small cup of water in the freezer and let it freeze. You only need about 1/2 inch of water. Once frozen, place a penny on top of the ice. Let it set in the freezer for a day or two. Pull it out and see if the penny is still on top of the ice. If the penny has dropped below the surface of the ice, your defrost cycle is not working correctly. Depending on how much the penny dropped lets you know how severe the problem is. If it has barely sunk below the surface, not much to worry about. If it has become completely submerged in the ice, you have a major problem.
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I shut it off two days ago because of the puddling problem, and because I have a perfectly good beer fridge 10 feet away that was practically empty (except for beer), I just emptied the fridge in the kitchen that's giving me trouble. The weird thing is , the ice in the full ice container would rattle around like it had not melted at all. Wasn't stuck together or anything. Maybe that's not a good test. I ordered the Supco defrost timer this morning and will give it a whirl when it gets here. Only $15 and it's a direct replacement for the GE part.
 
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cold1

Looks like the defrost timer has remedied the situation. I've run the fridge for three days and nights and there are no peculiar puddles of water on the shelves in the fridge after defrost cycles, or whatever caused them. All temps seem to be as they should be. Thanks for your help! It was a $15 fix.
 
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