[Twister]

Unit: GE Profile Arctica
Model: PSW23PSTA-SS
Age: 2006

Fridge and freezer not cooling at all. Unit completely quit cooling 6 days ago (digital temp readout is 72F in freezer and 82F in fridge) so frost buildup is certainly not an issue. Freezer fan is running. Condenser fan is running. Have checked compressor inverter board (tested about 10 ohms at compressor plug/prongs). Power at the inverter tested at 120v AC. Inverter wiring bundle that connects the inverter to the motherboard tested at 5v DC both at the inverter end and at the motherboard connector. All those electrical readings were within range according to an appliance tech on another forum. Also swapped out the motherboard (suggested by the other forum's appliance tech) last night and after running for over 8 hours the temperatures have not changed at all: 72F and 82F.

Compressor does not appear to be running (no vibration at all and the compressor is not warm/not generating any heat buildup). From what I can tell I don't think there's a Freon leak but I could be wrong on that.

I am totally out of ideas. It's been 6 days without a fridge and freezer. Not a recommended experience.

Any ideas?

 

[Bud9051]

Hi Twister, just saying hi and letting you know we are reading. Not a pro but have had to deal with a few related problems, but didn't recognize anything you missed.

Did a quick search for dead unit and saw this video:

May be too basic but never hurts to review.

I'll watch your progress.

Bud

 

[AllanJ]

Find the defrost timer. If this is mechanical it will have an exposed shaft in a hole about 1/4 inch diameter where you could insert a full 1/4 inch screwdriver. It may be on the back or it may be inside. Turn it just a little at a time to see if the compressor starts up. Such a mechanical timer could get stuck and if it stops in the defrost position the 'fridge will stay "dead".

 

[Twister]

Find the defrost timer. If this is mechanical it will have an exposed shaft in a hole about 1/4 inch diameter where you could insert a full 1/4 inch screwdriver. It may be on the back or it may be inside. Turn it just a little at a time to see if the compressor starts up. Such a mechanical timer could get stuck and if it stops in the defrost position the 'fridge will stay "dead".

Allan -

Do modern refrigerators use mechanical defrost timers? I will check but I would be surprised if they do.

In some possibly good news I found that it is possible for the inverter control board to be bad even though it may test good via a multi-meter voltage check. I've ordered an inverter control board which is supposed to arrive next Tuesday.