Fix It: The Freezer is Not Freezing, The Fridge is Not Cold

I recently came across this post in our appliance repair forum, and thought it may help some of you out.

Q: “Ok, so the ice maker has been leaking for about 2 years now, just an inconvenience. Today, freezer is thawing out, fridge at 70′.  Took a hair dryer to back inside of freezer, seems like a lot of ice melted.  Fan seems to be running more than before.”

“I have seen that the ice maker water valve needs replacing. Is that it, or do I need to remove the inside of the freezer compartment and replace all those parts too?”

“I have it plugged back in for about an hour now.  Freezer getting cold, nothing in fridge compartment/ any suggestions would be appreciated. It’s 8 years old.”

One of our regular posters, applianceman, generously offered this advice:

A: “When you tried to defrost it with the hair dyer did you remove the back panel of the freezer? If not you need to go back and remove it and melt all the ice behind it (if there is any).”

“You say the ice maker is leaking but is it leaking in the freezer or in the floor? If it is leaking in the freezer the water from the ice maker may have leaked on the coils, froze and blocked airflow. If this seems to be the case melt all the ice, clean out the tube that feeds the ice maker water and replace the ice maker.”

“If the ice that is on the coils didn’t seem to come from the ice maker you may have a defrost problem. Which would be the defrost control, defrost heater or defrost thermostat.”

For appliance repair help, visit the Appliance Repair Forum and post your questions or visit our Repair Library.

For additional information on freezer maintenance, questions or general information, visit our freezer information page.

Product Spotlight: Countertop Magic & Cabinet & Wood Magic

Countertop Magic is one of our favorite products.  It’s a perfect cleaner for everyday kitchen and bathroom use.  It will remove most food stains leaving a streak free, shiny countertop in its place. 

Countertop Magic is ideal for everyday use.

Countertop Magic works great on laminate and solid surface countertops.  Simply spray it on your countertops and Countertop Magic will take care of the rest!  It will remove stains, food and grease.

Recommended for Corian®, Formica®, Swanstone®, Silesstone®, Zodiaq®, Wilsonart® and other quartz or polished stone surfaces.

Countertop Magic comes in a 17oz can. 

Part #50332015

Price: $5.99

Another great cleaner is Cabinet & Wood Magic.  This is a great cleaner for your kitchen and bathroom cabinets as well as any wood surfaces in your home.

Cabinet & Wood Magic works on wood surfaces throughout your home.

Cabinet & Wood Magic is specially formulated to beautify as it cleans while leaving behind a protective barrier to help guard against water marks, dirt and grime. Cabinet & Wood Magic makes cleaning quick and easy.

It is ideal for sealed wood, laminates and painted cabinets.

Cabinet & Wood Magic comes in a 17oz can.

Part #50331015

Price: $5.99

Countertop Magic and Cabinet & Wood Magic are both Magic Cleaners.   Consumers have relied on Magic for nearly 40 years for their specialty cleaning needs. Because each product is specifically designed to perform on the unique surface to which it is applied, Magic products clean and shine like nothing else. Magic cleaners are free of hazardous pollutants, ozone-depleting substances and soil toxins.

To purchase these cleaners or to browse our entire stock of household cleaners, visit www.apwagner.com.

Purchase GE Water Filters & Get Up to a $20 Rebate!

Starting today and running throughout the month of October, GE is offering rebates when you buy select GE Water Filters.  Now is a great time to stock up and save some money!  The more you buy, the more you save! 

Buy 1 Filter – Get a $3 mail-in rebate

Buy 2 Filters – Get a $10 mail-in rebate

Buy 3 Filters – Get a $20 mail-in rebate

The rebate is available on some of their most popular filters.  For a list of eligible GE water filters and more information visit the GE Water Filter Rebate page on www.apwagner.com.

New Affresh Dishwasher & Disposal Cleaner cleans and destroys unwanted odors

A new once-a-month solution for dishwasher and disposal odor

The new Affresh dishwasher & disposal cleaner is the powerful, ground-breaking solution for unwanted dishwasher and disposal odor. These innovative tablets help prevent odor in the dishwasher and disposal.

Affresh Dishwasher & Disposer Cleaner - Sale price: $5.99 Compare at: $7.28 You Save: $1.29

Developed with the consumer in mind, these cleaner tablets help remove even the most stubborn odors from dishwashers and disposals.  Affresh keeps the dishwasher or disposal fresh for up to a month by penetrating, dissolving and removing odor. It’s a fast and simple way to keep the inside of these appliances clean and smelling fresh.

Each Affresh Dishwasher & Disposal Cleaner Contains 6 Tablets. Use once a month or as needed for a Cleaner, Fresher Dishwasher and Disposal.

Instructions for Affresh Dishwasher & Disposal Cleaner

Step 1: Remove all dishware from the dishwasher. Open the dishwasher and place one tablet in the main detergent tray. Close the tray.

Step 2: Place the second tablet in the prewash tray or in the bottom of the dishwasher. Close the dishwasher. Run the dishwasher on the most aggressive cycle–heavy duty scrub, high-temperature wash, etc. For best results, continue to Step 3. If you do not have a disposer, skip Step 3.

Step 3: Place a third tablet into the disposal. Turn on hot water to a slow flow. Run the disposal and water for 15 seconds. Turn off disposal and water. Do not flush the disposal completely with water. Water from the dishwasher will clean out the disposal.

Garbage Disposal cleaning instructions: Place one tablet in the disposal. Turn on hot water to a slow flow. Run the disposal and water for 15 seconds. Turn off the disposal and water. Wait 30 minutes then flush the disposal with hot water.

Find the  NEW affresh Dishwasher & Disposal Cleaner at AP Wagner!

Make money selling appliance parts from your website or blog

We at AP Wagner are looking for motivated, web-savvy individuals who would like to join our team of Affiliates. Why should you consider becoming an affiliate of APWagner.com?

• We are one of the largest multinational appliance parts distributors in North America.
• We have been a trusted appliance parts source since 1928!
• We offer 11% commission on all sales from your site, and *13% commission on all monthly sales over $5,000.
• With over 4 million parts in stock we have the largest inventory in the industry!
• We offer our affiliates a 90-day cookie. This means you earn commission from sales that resulted from a referral for up to 90 days after they visit our site! This is by far the longest cookie life for any appliance parts affiliate program.
• We provide coupon codes that you can offer visitors to your site that allow them to save at AP Wagner.
• We have the most lenient advertising policy of all appliance parts affiliate programs. We allow all types of advertising – we even let you promote your site through our forum.

To join our program, visit linkconnector.com. If you have any questions or concerns about our program, feel free to email us at marketing@apwagner.com.

Aqua Secure Hoses for the Environment and Wallet

Hot and Cold Water Aqua Secure Hoses

Hot and Cold Water Aqua Secure Hoses - Sale price: $50.22 (individually) --You Save: $10.80

Sale price: $50.22 (individually)

Compare at: $61.02

You Save: $10.80

Effectively impact the environment and your wallet with these aqua secure hoses. The aqua secure hoses which come individually for hot and cold water are designed to be a resource saver. The 5′ aqua secure hose consists of a sealed inner and outer hose and a leak detection / shut-off assembly. A spring holds a plunger open allowing the inner hose to carry water. If an inner hose ever should leak, water fills the outer hose where a sponge in the hose end (connected to the water line) absorbs water, pulling a plunger down to stop water flow and show red in the indicator window. The outer hose is sealed and won’t leak. Both hot and cold water aqua secure hoses are available for sale at AP Wagner.

Icemaker not working? Replacement Icemakers

Summer is here, and there is nothing better then a refreshing drink and fresh ice.  The only problem is your icemaker isn’t working?!?  Maybe it’s time to replace it.  AP Wagner offers a variety of Icemaker repair kits.  Here is just one great model that AP Wagner sells.

Icemaker Kit Misc 4317943

• 8-cube icemaker replacement kit
• Used on factory-installed icemakers
• Flat-style plug with 3 adapters to fit all connections
• Design allows for the ability to reuse the harness
• Works on Whirlpool, Roper, Kitchen Aid, Kenmore, as well as many other brands of refrigerators
• Kit includes:
  • 2 arms
  • Mounting hardware
  • Wire connectors
  • Instructions

AP Wagner has been a trusted source for appliance parts since 1928!

Why is the water so slow to fill or there’s no water at all?

If your washer is slow to fill, or won’t fill at all, you’ll want to check the water pressure at another tap first. Make sure both the hot and cold taps are fully open. Make sure that no other water is getting used in the house when the washer is filling. Check the hoses for kinks. Make sure that water is getting to the water intake hose. With your tap shut off, loosen or remove the hose from the tap, then open the tap slightly to see if water is getting to the hose intake. If water is getting to the hose, remove the hose from the washer to see if water is making it through the hose to the water intake valve.

Universal Washer Inlet Valve - $10.70. Buy online at APWagner.com

Make sure the lid is down as some washers will not fill if the lid switch is not activated. Also, make sure the drain standpipe is at least 30″ tall. If it isn’t, the water may get siphoned out of the washer. If this is happening, install an air gap in the drain line.

There are strainer screens in either of the ends of the hoses that connect to the water valve, or in the valve itself, sometimes in both places. You’ll want to remove the hoses and check the screens to see if they are plugged or not. In certain set-ups, the screen is non-removable, and you will need to replace the hose or water valve, depending on which it is. If the screens are dirty, you may be able to

Door Latch and Switch Assembly 131763245-$65.28. Buy online or view more like this.

clean them with an old toothbrush. If you can’t clean them, you will have to replace them. If the screens are clean and water is getting to the valve, it may be that the valve itself is bad. You may need to replace the valve.

Adjust the temperature setting to warm and set your timer to the fill cycle. Start your washer and lift the lid. You’ll want to depress the lid switch with a screwdriver or other tool to prevent the interlock from engaging during this test. Feel or look for water entering the wash tub. If no water is coming in, or if it is too hot or cold, you’ll need to test the voltage on each solenoid valve with a volt ohm meter or Digital VOM. The voltage should be between the ranges of 110v to 125v.

Whirlpool Washer Hose Kit -Includes: Two (2) 6' long rubber hoses, Screens, Seals. Common to washers from Whirlpool, Kenmore, and other brands as well. - Buy online or see more like it.

If the voltage is correct and the valve is not opening, you need to replace this valve. If the valve is not getting any power to it, you will need to use your washer specific wiring diagram to look for any broken wires, and if there are no broken wires, move on to test the lid switch, temperature switch, timer, and the water level switch. Replace anything that is defective.

No cold water: check to make sure the cold water is on, and that control settings are set properly. Check intake screens for a sediment or rust buildup. It’s possible that the water-inlet valve is bad.

No hot water: check to make sure the hot water is on, and that control settings are set properly. Check intake screens for a sediment or rust buildup. It’s possible that the water-inlet valve is bad.

Visually inspect the selector switch, make sure that it is set properly and verify that all of the control panel buttons are pushed in completely.

Note: Some brands have a mercury-tube lid switch, and raising the top of the cabinet to get to the solenoid for testing will have the same effect as raising the lid. You may need to jump the switch to perform tests with the cabinet top raised.

Garage Refrigerator Kit

Not enough room in your refrigerator?

Garage Refrigerator Kit 5303918301 Frigidaire

• Heater kit is designed for Top-Freezer-No-Frost refrigerators
• For refrigerators located in areas where the ambient temperature goes below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, but stays above 34 degrees Fahrenheit

This product replaces:

• 1037646
• 241532101
• AP3722172
• FR 5303918301
• PS900213

Microban Refrigerator Air Filter Starter Kit

Food in the refrigerator and freezer can lose its flavor and even take on the flavors of other food being stored, such as fish and onions. The Microban Refrigerator Air Filter is the only built-in air filter system that eliminates odors and provides antimicrobial protection with Microban®.

• The filter removes odors through proven activated carbon, helps food retain its flavor and keeps ice tasting fresh, and doesn’t take up shelf or storage space.
• Fits 22 and 25 cu. ft. Whirlpool® and KitchenAid® freestanding side-by-side refrigerators with vent design.
• Kit contains the filter housing and one filter.
• East to install
• No tools required
• Replace the filter every six months
• Housing measures 63/8″ x 23/4″ x 1″ (not including tabs that lock into side of refrigerator)
• Filter measures 63/4″ x 2″ x 1/2″
• Replacement Filter Part Number W10153451

You Can Find the Microban Refrigerator Air Filter Starter Kit here at AP Wagner!