The Sears Coldspot Frostless freezer is an older-model upright freezer that is no longer manufactured by the Sears/Kenmore brand. The freezer is self-defrosting, which operates through an automatic timer that sets the freezer in defrost mode several times during a 24-hour period. If the timer is stuck and is not working, however, some inspection and troubleshooting might be necessary to get the timer and the freezer back into working form.
Defrost Timer
The is a rotary control knob that slowly turns and sends the freezer into a defrost cycle at set points on the timer. If the timer gets stuck, the knob will not rotate, which can cause problems.
Symptoms of Stuck Timer
If the defrost timer is stuck, the freezer may not enter the automatic defrost cycle. You will know this is happening if ice develops on the freezer interior, including the bottom, ceiling or sides, or if food freezes even when the temperature control is not set accordingly. Alternatively, the defrost timer may be stuck in a defrost pattern, which keeps the freezer rotating constantly through that pattern. This causes the freezer to warm and thaw food, even if the temperature controls are set appropriately for freezing.
Locating the Defrost Timer
To check the defrost timer, you must access the timer. Disconnect power to the Sears freezer and pull the freezer away from the wall. You must remove the screws holding the back panel in place and lift the panel off the freezer. The defrost timer is located on the lower-right portion of the freezer rear.
Restarting the Timer
Once you have located the defrost timer, manually turn the timer in a clockwise direction slowly until you hear a loud click. This click means that the timer has advanced out of the stuck position and has moved to the next part of the normal defrost and cooling cycle. Replace the back panel on the freezer and restore power. Contact Kenmore for assistance if the freezer remains caught in one part of the cycle, as the timer may need replacement.
Tags: defrost timer, timer stuck, back panel, , defrost cycle, defrost timer