Troubleshooting - Sears Kenmore Refrigerator Owner's Manual

Before You Call for Service
Save time and money Check this list of causes of minor
operating problems you can correct yourself
Refrigerator does not operate
o May be in defrost cycle when motor does not operate
for about 30 minutes
o Temperature control in OFF position
o If interior light is not on, refrigerator may not be
plugged in at wall outlet
o If plug is secure and refrigerator fairs to operate,
plug lamp into same outlet to determine if there is tripped
circuit breaker or burned out fuse
Motor operates for long periods
o Modern refrigerators with more storage space and
a larger freezer require more operating time
o Normal when refrigerator is first delivered to your
home-usually requires 24 hours to completely cool down
o Large amounts of food placed in refrigerator to be
cooled or frozen
o Hot weather-frequent door openings
o Door left open
o Temperature controls set too cold
o Condenser needs cleaning
Operating sounds
o The high speed compressor motor required to
maintain near zero temperatures in the large freezer
compartment may produce higher sound levels than
your old refrigerator
o Normal fan air flow-one fan blows cold air through
the refrigerator and freezer compartments-another fan
cools the compressor motor.
• These NORMAL sounds will also be heard from
time to time:
o Defrost timer switch clicks at defrost.
o Defrost water dripping
o Temperature control clicks ON or OFF
• Refrigerant boiling or gurgling
o Cracking or popping of cooling coils caused by
expansion and contraction during defrost and
refrigeration following defrost
o Ice cubes dropping into the bin and water running in
pipes as icernaker refills
Motor starts & stops frequently
o Temperature control starts and stops motor to maintain
even temperatures This is normal
Door not closing properly
o Door gasket on hinge side sticking or folding over.
To correct, put a small amount of petroleum jelly on face
of gasket
Vibration or rattling
• If refrigerator vibrates, more than likely it is not
resting solidly on the floor The front roller screws need
adjusting, or floor is weak or uneven Refer to Starting
Your Refrigerator section
o If dishes vibrate on shelves, try moving them
Slight vibralion is normal
o Icemaker supply line may be rattling, move the
refrigerator 1/2" out from the wall
Foods dry out
o Foods not covered, wrapped or sealed properly
Fresh food or freezer compartment temperature
too warm
o Temperature control not set cold enough_
o Warm weather-frequent door openings
• Door left open for long time
o Package may be holding door open
Frost or ice crystals on frozen food
o Door may have been left ajar or package holding
door open
o Too frequent or too long door openings
o Frost within package is normal
Slow ice cube freezing
o Door may have been left ajar
o Set temperature of freezer compartment colder
Ice cubes have odor/taste
- Old cubes need to be discarded Empty ice bin every
30 days
° Ice storage bin needs to be washed
o Unsealed packages in refrigerator and/or freezer
compartments may be transmitting odor/taste to ice
cubes
o Interior of refrigerator needs cleaning
Cube dispenser does not work
o No ice cubes Remove storage container. If cubes are
frozen to wire arm, remove cubes
• No ice cubes Icemaker or water supply turned off
o Irregular ice clumps in storage container Break up as
many as you can with fingertip pressure and discard the
remaining clumps
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