An appliance is not faulty when it just does not start when you turn it on. If you have aFrigidaire freezer that does not turn cold enough, it can either be a minor problem or have an issue that is more significant. The best way to approach this problem is to go step by step and look at all the possible causes before you go replacing any parts. When you have to diagnose this problem, these are the ones that are the most common.
DOOR DOESN’T SEAL WELL
We do tend to forget how often we close and open our freezer door. If you find the temperatures inside the freezer are rising, you must first look at the door seals. An easy, popular, and effective way to do this is the dollar bill test. Place a dollar bill on the door seal so that it is half inside the freezer and half outside it. Close the door of the freezer and try removing the dollar bill without opening the door. If it does so easily you may need to replace the seals on the door, or at the least, clean them. If your freezer is slightly tilted backward and not level, the seal may not work perfectly, and this must also be checked.
TEMPERATURE SETTINGS ARE NOT SET RIGHT
At times, you may inadvertently have raised the temperature. The freezer will maintain the temperature you have set it to. So, just check the temperature setting, and make sure it is where you want it to be.
EVAPORATOR COILS
You need to remove any of the interior panels so that you can look closely at the evaporator coils. If, however, you know how to spot poor cooling symptoms, this may not be necessary. Poor cooling is a result of frost buildup on the evaporator coils. If it is not possible to have a look at the coils and inspect them, look instead at the floor, walls, and ceiling of your freezer and look for ice building upon them. Damage to door seals, as mentioned above, can lead to frost building up on evaporator coils, or be an indication of problems with the self-defrosting system.
Freezers are designed to self-defrost four times every twenty-four hours. If any of the components in this defrosting system fail, it would mean that the freezer will continue to cool, leading to ice building up on the coils. As the ice build-up increases, the freezer is then unable to cool, and a time may come when the coils are completely frost-covered.
CONDENSER COILS
Evaporator coils can be covered by frost. Similarly, condenser coils can be covered by debris, lint, and dust. When this condition is reached, the coils are then not able to dissipate the heat and thus rendered ineffective. Clean the condenser coils in the freezer after first disconnecting them. A vacuum cleaner will do this job effectively. To remove all the dirt, both loose and stubborn, it may need you to move the freezer around.
OTHER POSSIBLE CAUSES
The problems listed above are those that are easy to diagnose, but there are others that will definitely require the intervention of a professional. He will need to have the right tools and be trained and knowledgeable in this area. Your freezer running at higher temperatures can be due to faulty parts, like a bad thermostat, faulty evaporator fans, problems with door safety switches, or issues with the timer of the defrost control. You can blame the compressor if you hear thumping sounds.
It is always worthwhile consulting the professionals, whatever the fault is. In most cases, you will find it cheaper to repair and maintain the appliance, than buying a new one. Many freezer and fridge problems can be prevented if you care for them and clean them regularly, but in spite of this, wear and tear will occur.