Help Please!!! Ge Freezer working too well

[tlm724]

I have a GE side by side Fridge/freezer model number GSS201EPC WW. A few weeks ago I noticed that the freezer seemed to be running alot. Then about a week ago my ice machine stopped making ice so I took everything out of the freezer and checked everything inside. I found no new ice but the water still flowed through the water dispenser on the door. I found about 1/2 inch of frost on the back wall of the interior of freezer.The food in the freezer was freezer burnt but that food was only in there about three weeks.The fridge seems fine. I turned the freezer off and left the door open all night and defrosted it that way. After that I cleaned the fan covering and everything I could reach in the lower back of freezer. I plugged it back in and the freezer has been running for two days straight. the ice machine works again,I am wondering if the ice maker line was frozen as well.Anyway the current interior temp of freezer is -03 degrees F according to a thermometer that I put in it . It is still running constantly.The dial for freezer temp is set at 1, warmest temp without turning it off. The fridge temp is holding at 50 degress F, dial set on 6. I am a woman who can't afford a repairman and was wondering if someone can give me some suggestions, it seems like a theromstat to me but I don't know that much about fridgerators/freezers. Any help would be appreciated. Help a girl out!! Thank you Trudy

[Dan O.]

Cooling problem?

** it seems like a theromstat to me **

While a thermostat would control the on and off of a refrigerator, if only it was defective, the appliance should run too cold.

The appliance will run until both sides' temperatures are satisfied. If the freezer isn't *extremely* cold after running continually, it is quite possibly not cooling correctly.

You can read about common causes of cooling problems in refrigerators at the following link. I might guess it could be a 'sealed refrigeration system' problem but that would require at least some disassembly of the appliance to see the tell-tail signs.

LINK > My frost free refrigerator is not cooling properly. What might be the problem?

JMO

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site
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[tlm724]

Thanks Dan O. I will read the link you supplied carefully and see if I can find the problem. Will start to take it apart this evening.

[tlm724]

Update

I took the freezer rear interior panel off and found everything frozen solid, top to bottom. After twenty minutes with a blowdryer I finally got it all defrosted. I saw the defrost heater first so I disconnected it and tested it with a meter. I have never used a meter before but followed the instructions and got no reading from it,the needle didn't move. So I guess its the heater. When I was reinstalling the back panel I noticed that the rubber gasket that runs down the left side was melted and distorted right where the end of the heater sits. I will order a new heater but was wondering if this melted gasket should be a concern? Was it( the heater) touching it and was it positioned correctly? Just wondering because I want to do this right. Thank you all

[Dan O.]

I disconnected [the defrost heater] and tested it with a meter. I got no reading from it, the needle didn't move. So I guess its the heater.

It definitely sounds defective to me.

LINK > GE GSS20IEPCWW Defrost Heater

the rubber gasket that runs down the left side was melted and distorted right where the end of the heater sits. I will order a new heater but was wondering if this melted gasket should be a concern? Was it (the heater) touching it and was it positioned correctly?

I would definitely replace it and try to determine and correct what might have caused it. An improperly mounted heater could be the cause. It could have moved out of position during product shipment or just not been installed properly right from the factory.

LINK > GSS20IEPCWW Evaporator Cover Gasket


JMO

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site
=D~~~~~~