Frigidaire Refrigerator

[Rogue]

Ok, my fridge just went back in time because I went through it again and compressor cycles now say 23?  Everthing else remained the same.

[Rogue]

I just looked at run time percentage on the compressor again and it is reporting 91%, so I guess that means the compressor is having to work a lot harder with the evap frozen up?

[BrntToast]

that evap is not all that "frozen up" but the board indicates the heater is not comming on during defrost by the 0 minute duration

you need to test the defrost therm while it is cold and see if it is closed, i suspect you will find it open in which case the board will think defrost is done cause of the open therm and restart the compressor

while all is cold and frosted, initiate defrost and make sure it flashes the "D"  if it does unplug fridge, disconnect the white/red connector between the element and therm(one meter probe goes in the white connector) then unplug the large connector on the back wall(other meter probe goes in the terminal for the light blue wire from the therm)

you should get continuity reading on the meter

[Rogue]

How do I go about testing the defrost thermostat?

[BrntToast]

just modified my last post with test instructions

[BrntToast]

post back findings, i'll pop back in a while

we just had a lovely 5 minute hail storm and i need to go see how much of my flattened garden i can salvage 

[Rogue]

Ok, should be able to do it within the hour.

[Rogue]

Tested thermostat. There is no continuity.

[Rogue]

Also, the evap is twice as frozen as last night. I have a pic if you want. The temp was actually starting to go up in freezer and fridge just before I started this. Should I force a manual defrost now or is there anything else you need me to do while it is frosted?

[MajorApp]

 

[Rogue]

 

[Rogue]

ugh...

ok. Well I decided to check it again because I'm paranoid and am always doubting myself.

Well. I skipped the step of letting enter defrost mode via the test mode (where I would see the flashing D). Well now the thermostat DOES have continuity (it was all icy around the thermostat just like it was before). I plug the fridge back in and go to that test mode, and now the D DOES NOT flash like it did before. So what is going on with this?

[Rogue]

Okay, now the defroster is running on it's own. Everything shut off and the defroster is now lit up melting the ice on it's own. 

[Rogue]

And now it seems to be freezing up again from what I can see from the vents. Could a failing thermostat work intermittently?

[BrntToast]

the therm usually works or doesn't
sorry if i ask instead of reading back but are you sure the fan by the compressor is turning and there is no buildup of lint etc on the condensor by that fan?
your frost patern looks "loose" which indicates a possible weak compressor, but there is no way i can instruct you to test for this, also all your door opening from repeated checks could cause this loose frost as well
the defrost therm is less than 20 dollars and takes minutes to change, and it comes with instructions, you might want to change it out just to be certain it is not the fault
boards are more likely to be intermittent than the therm, but the therm is alot cheaper so i suggest you start there
if you do change the therm.... dont open the fridge unless you are getting something to eat/drink   
remember what i said earlier.... your fridge decides when to defrost based on door openings and run time, your constant checks are going to increase defrost times beyond the norm