Looking for solutions to the problem of a John Lewis freezer not freezing? Look no further for you have come to the right place.
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John Lewis Freezer Not Freezing – Quick Fix
The following are parts to check if a John Lewis freezer is not freezing:
1. Start Relay
The start relay supplies power to the compressor when it is about to start and run. This is an important part of a compressor. If it is not working properly, the compressor won’t run. Even if it does run, it will do so only in short intervals.
Unmount the relay from the compressor and shake it. If it rattles, it is damaged and should be replaced. And if there is a burnt odor coming from it, replace it. If none of these applies, test it between the two terminals using a multimeter to check for continuity. If there is no continuity, replace the relay.
2. Evaporator Coils
These coils are also called cooling coils. They make the air that the evaporator fan passes over to become cold. Without them, there won’t be cold air in the freezer.
If they are frozen, they cannot perform their duty. So to defrost them, defrost the freezer manually. Unplug the freezer and leave the door open for about 24 hours. This is after removing everything in the freezer and storing the food in another freezer.
At the end of the defrost period, the ice on the coils will melt. But there is a need to check the defrost system so that there won’t be an accumulation on the coils again.
With a multimeter, test the defrost heater for continuity. If there is no continuity, replace the heater. It is the component that should turn on and melt ice off the coils when they become too cold.
But the heater cannot turn on if the defrost timer is not working. So turn the timer anticlockwise using a screwdriver until the heater turns on. If the heater turns on, then you know the timer is defective and should be replaced. It should go into defrost mode automatically, not manually.
Additionally, run a test on the defrost control board and the defrost thermostat. The thermostat is the component that allows the heater to turn on once it senses that the coils are cold enough.
3. Evaporator Fan Motor
The fan circulates cold air in the freezer after taking it over the cooling coils to cool it. If the motor of the fan is faulty, the fan cannot circulate the air and the freezer won’t cool or freeze as a result.
To determine if the motor of the fan is defective, open the door of the freezer and activate the freezer door switch manually. Once you open the door, the motor of the fan goes off. That is if it is working. But activating the door switch gets it going again.
So if the motor does not start running when you activate the switch, it is a clear indication that it is defective and should be replaced.
4. Temperature Control Thermostat
The fan motors and the compressor get voltage directed to them by the thermostat. They, in turn, enable the refrigerant to run. As a result, if the thermostat is not working properly, the refrigerant won’t run and the freezer won’t get cold or even freeze.
Turn the thermostat from the lowest temperature setting to the highest temperature setting. Wait for an audible to sound, indicating that the freezer has started working. If you hear the sound, then it is likely the thermostat is not defective.
But if you don’t hear the sound, test the thermostat using a multimeter to check for continuity. If there is no continuity, no matter the temperature setting, replace the thermostat.
5. Condenser Coils
If the coils of your John Lewis freezer are inside the walls, you don’t need to clean them. But if they are outside – behind or under the freezer – clean them. Condenser coils that are dirty cannot efficiently release heat from the freezer. This greatly diminishes the capacity of the freezer to cool.
With the brush head of your vacuum cleaner, wipe the dust and debris from the coils. If they feel sticky or greasy, clean them with a little warm soapy water. Ensure to clean them at least once a year.
6. Condenser Fan Motor
The condenser fan takes air through the condenser and passes it over the coils so that the unit does not heat up. If the motor fails to run smoothly, the fan cannot operate, making it difficult for the unit to cool.
Try turning the blades of the condenser fan with your hand. They should turn smoothly but if they don’t, it is a pointer to the fact that the bearings of the motor are bad. So the motor should be replaced.
However, if the blades turn well, then test the motor with a multimeter to check for continuity. If there is no continuity, replace the motor.
There are other parts of the freezer that can cause it to stop freezing if they are faulty. They are the compressor, the main control board and the user control and display board. But these parts hardly become faulty and many times, they have been wrongly diagnosed.
So ensure to run good diagnostics on the other parts first to rule them out completely before touching any of the boards or the compressor.
In addition to the above, a leak in the sealed system of the freezer can cause a freezing problem. The easiest way to tell if this is the case is if the top shelf or top part of the freezer is not freezing. Another way is if a part of the evaporator coils is frozen.
To be sure the sealed system has a leak, contact any of our experienced refrigerator technicians to assist you. You can also call John Lewis to request assistance, especially if you still have an active warranty.
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Basic Things to Check
Before anything else, there are few basic things to check first if a John Lewis freezer is not freezing. The same is true for all freezers.
Check the freezer temperature to be sure it is set at the correct point. 0 degrees Fahrenheit or -18 degrees Celsius is the recommended freezer temperature. If it has to be higher, it cannot exceed 10 degrees Fahrenheit or -12 degrees Celsius.
Ensure the door is not opened frequently and is not left standing open for too long. Also, ensure it is hut properly after use. Leaving the door even slightly ajar lets warm in and cold air, thereby making it difficult for the freezer to freeze.
Additionally, check the voltage supply to the freezer. If it is lower than the recommended voltage for the freezer, the unit won’t run smoothly and is at risk of being damaged. Take the freezer to a place with a wall outlet that supplies the right amount of voltage fit for the unit.
Furthermore, be sure that the power cord is still working. If it is not, a refrigerator technician can help you replace it or advise you accordingly.
Then, there is proper air circulation. Packing items too close to each other leaves no room for the cold air to circulate. What you may find is that some parts of the freezer are colder than other parts. So arrange items in such a way that air can circulate freely.
Be sure to leave the vents unobstructed. Keeping items close to them impedes the flow of air into the freezer.
Reminder
Always turn the freezer off by unplugging it or shutting off the circuit breaker before repairing or fixing it. No matter how small the repair, turning the unit off is the safest way to work. Also, use work gloves if you have any, in order to have extra protection.
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