Garage freezer Temperature Swing

[aaustins14]

Hey all,

Looking for some DIY help on a GE Fridge/freezer, freezer on Top model.

Its a GE gts18fbsarww if that helps anyone.

Anyway, problem being the unit is not holding proper temperature. The freezer is swinging between 3F and 40F and the fridge swing between 33F and 47F.

I have checked the unit for debris and dirt buildup underneath and cleaned any off. Was not very dirty.
I have verified the compressor is kicking on and the fan underneath is running.
I have verified the fan up top in the back of the freezer section is running.
Also the small port between the fridge and freezer is clear of anything.
The fridge is mostly drinks and the freezer I put a bunch of ice packs until I can get this sorted.

In a quick fix attempt, I replaced the thermostat/control dial with a GE part and the problem still exists.
I have turned the dial to a higher setting and the temperature swing still occurs, just at somewhat lower temperatures.
Turn it too much and the fridge starts to freeze.

I don't know much about fridge/freezers besides my recent searching.
I am monitoring temps with a thermoworks fridge/freezer thermometer (RT8100)

I am open to any ideas and troubleshooting steps.
Thanks for the read.

 

[Max93]

What is the temperature in the garage?

 

[esben57]

Freezers have an ambient temperature operating range. Bought a freezer put it in garage which turned cold with outside temperature.
Didn't last long and had to buy a suitable unit.

 

[WisJim]

The OP doesn't say where he is located or what the temp is in the garage.
I looked up the instructions for this model and it says:
Do not install the refrigerator where the temperature will go below 60°F (16°C) because it will not run often enough to maintain proper temperatures.
That could be the problem.

When we wanted to have a freezer in the garage, we bought a model that specifically said it was okay to install in a location that got down to freezing temps.

 

[aaustins14]

Upstate NY. Garage temp is about 60F right now.

I had not thought about that, and that could very well be the case.

However it did this all summer when garage was between 70-80F.

Could last winter have damaged the unit? Garage does not get below 45 in winter as it is heated as my shop.


Edit: Added Location to account. Thx

 

[JOE.G]

I keep my shop and Man cave around 45/50 Deg when no out there, My fridge freezer combo doesn't run at those temps, I have read that you can keep a small light somewhere on the fridge and it'll keep it warm enough to run. For what I use the fridge for it really doesn't matter as it doesn't get warm inside. If I needed the freezer that would b a different story.

 

[kbuhagiar]

Upstate NY. Garage temp is about 60F right now.

I had not thought about that, and that could very well be the case.

However it did this all summer when garage was between 70-80F.

Could last winter have damaged the unit? Garage does not get below 45 in winter as it is heated as my shop.


Edit: Added Location to account. Thx

How old is the unit? The icing up may be indicative of freon loss.

 

[zendriver]

Stupid question, but is the freezer self defrosting?

Temps raise for a bit while defrost cycling, even in the fridge, where it get it's cooling temps, from the freezer

If would be unnoticed, by those not constantly monitoring temps.

 

[aaustins14]

I'll look into the light solution.

kbuhagiar - Could you elaborate on 'icing'..? The inside of the unit is not icing that I can see, it is getting too warm. (Also around 12 years old I think)

zendriver- No stupid questions. I'm not sure about self defrosting.. What does that consist of? Is it a daily occurrence? This unit seems to get too warm pretty regularly. I'm not sure if its daily or every few days.

Only reason for monitoring temps is because I had another Freezer fail and lost a bunch of venison. No good.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

The temperature in the refrigerator controls the compressor in most refrigerator freezers. When ambient is Cool, the refrigerator doesn’t run much which allows the freezer to warm up. there are garage kits available for some combo units.

 

[aaustins14]

Garage conversion kit, I'll check that out.

I'm also wondering if possibly the temperature probe for the freezer is too close to the defrost heater.
And the fridge temperature swings could be the door constantly opening and closing.

I'm going to move the probes around and report back.

 

[zendriver]

zendriver- No stupid questions. I'm not sure about self defrosting.. What does that consist of? Is it a daily occurrence? This unit seems to get too warm pretty regularly. I'm not sure if its daily or every few days.

"AI" says "multiple times per day"

If it is not an ancient model it is probably a "frost free" model so that might be the fluctuations.

 

[mrb1]

Not saying it will help your issue, but the light inside trick works great. Running a 30 year old unit with freezer on top in unheated garage middle of Ohio. If the garage gets down into the 20's/30'sF or so it won't cycle. The light pointing up at the thermostat will make it cycle and keep the freezer (full of meat) from warming up. Been doing it for a dozen years.

​

 

[kbuhagiar]

kbuhagiar - Could you elaborate on 'icing'..? The inside of the unit is not icing that I can see, it is getting too warm. (Also around 12 years old I think)

We recently had a service call on our fridge because of similar issues (i.e. not getting cold enough).

The service tech was amazing, and explained everything every step of the way. I mentioned to him that the back wall of the refrigerator section was 'icing up' (forming a coating of ice), and he explained that was a pretty good indication that the freon charge was diminished (possibly due to a miniscule leak somewhere in the bowels of the unit. He explained that it would not be worth the cost to attempt to find and fix the leak (its a 25-year-old SubZero and replacement parts are crazy expensive or no longer available), but he did check the freon, and sure enough it was depleted. He gave it a charge and explained that it might be good for another ten years, but it may also be on life support; time will tell.

That was six months ago and it's still running like new. Fingers crossed.

 

[Milton Shaw]

This will sound stupid but does the freezer door close by itself. The refrig is designed to close the door when it is open at a 45 degree angle and the freezer should too. Tilt the cabinet back until they will close by themselves. I saw this often also if there is anything sticking over the shelves they will hit the door and pop the door open after you leave. The shelves are so close to the door when closed you could not put your fingers between them. I saw this all the time. Upright freezers are designed to operate in cold garages, refrigerators are designed for heated/conditioned spaces above 65 to keep running enough to keep things frozen.

 

[aaustins14]

Not saying it will help your issue, but the light inside trick works great. Running a 30 year old unit with freezer on top in unheated garage middle of Ohio. If the garage gets down into the 20's/30'sF or so it won't cycle. The light pointing up at the thermostat will make it cycle and keep the freezer (full of meat) from warming up. Been doing it for a dozen years.

​

Interesting idea. Do you have that light on 24/7? Or timer? And I’m guessing something like October-April.

I wonder if I could rig up the inside light to stay on if that would be enough.

Also will check the doors for self shutting.

 

[mrb1]

Interesting idea. Do you have that light on 24/7? Or timer? And I’m guessing something like October-April.

I don't personally use a timer, but I'm sure ya could. No, light only needs to be on a minute or two until it starts the fridge cycling. I then take it out. Might only need to do it twice during the day, and once for overnight. And this is only needed here on a few really bad cold spells we get from Dec.-Feb.
I was also thinking about your issue and had something similar in the Whirlpool side-by-side we have in the house. Ended up the temp sensor up top on the fridge side. Long wire and plugs that is hidden behind the trim that runs around the top edge. Fixed the issue five years ago. Been fine since.

https://www.geapplianceparts.com/store/parts/spec/WR55X10025

 

[zendriver]

Freezers have an ambient temperature operating range. Bought a freezer put it in garage which turned cold with outside temperature.
Didn't last long and had to buy a suitable unit.

Maybe the problem with refrigerators/freezers in cold, is that they are a thermodynamic device that work by heat transfer, to function. cold-hot hot-cold.

They work better in a warm garage, because some outside heat helps to properly vaporize the refrigerant, for the heat pump cycle.

Cold air on evaporation coils not as effective, I was told.

 

[aaustins14]

Ok so currently the garage is not cold, so I’m understanding that running it through the winter could be a problem, however right now I do not think I’m having that problem.
This morning around 2am freezer hit 49F.
Fridge only hit 39F.

I did move the thermostat probe away from the back where the defrost heater is and more towards the center.

So since the fridge is not getting that hot can I assume it’s the defrost cycle?
Maybe defrost cycle is simply running too long?

 

[zendriver]

This morning around 2am freezer hit 49F.


So since the fridge is not getting that hot can I assume it’s the defrost cycle?
Maybe defrost cycle is simply running too long?

For how long?

You could probably leave the freezer door open for a few minutes and the inside air temperature world increase significantly.

The defrost process takes place fairly quick in the freezer, not the fridge.

 

[aaustins14]

Exactly, do not know how long.
I had not opened the fridge or freezer in probably 10 hours.

The thermometer only tells me the max temp it reached and what time that occurred.

 

[zendriver]

Exactly, do not know how long.
I had not opened the fridge or freezer in probably 10 hours.

The thermometer only tells me the max temp it reached and what time that occurred.

Are you retired, by any chance?

maybe this will help

Auto-defrost - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[aaustins14]

Not Retired, Actually a long way from it.

Thanks.

I think I'll try the trick with the frozen glass of water and a coin. Freeze the water and set the coin on top, check and see if the coin sinks into the ice.

There is possibility that the temperature sensor is picking up the warm air from the defrost heater.
Either that or the defrost heater is running too much.