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only works intermittently, lately hardly at all.

I have a Maytag m1txemmww00 that for a while only works intermittently, lately hardly at all. Does not work as is won't freezer freeze and refrigerator cool. The bottom fan is working as normal, and I removed the back panel in the freezer and that fan is spinning just fine. The coils are defrosted and warm to the touch. In the recent past I could get the fridge to function by turning it off and back on, but that does not seem to work any longer.

Could low freon be the problem? The small roundish coolant container found in most modern fridges, as I understand it, has an a copper input and output. One is hot to the touch, the other cold. Both of my copper tubes just feel warm to the touch, not hot or cold, just room temp. Could Freon, lack of or low, be the problem?

Any suggestions on what my next check-step before I spend a fortune on a repairman that may or may not repair the problem. Or should I just buy a second hand for $150 on Craigs List. Many Thanks!

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Hi @marcosgonz44674,

You never mentioned if the compressor motor is operating or not.

It is the compressor that pumps the refrigerant through the sealed system and this creates the cooling.

If the compressor is not running (or starting) it may be a problem with the electrical start/run circuit for the compressor and not the compressor itself.

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Could not determine if the compressor was running or even starting, but I would occasionally hear a click coming from the general area. And like you, I suspected the electrical start/run circuit possibly malfunctioning, and so ordered the identical replacement parts (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B091G8...)

Arriving tomorrow and we'll see it that's the fix or not. Will report. Thanks!

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Since replacing the electrical start/run circuit about 10 days ago (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B091G8...) the refrigerator has run non-stop cold and am about ready to declare it fixed. The ice maker, which I thought may have been moribund, and after I connecting it to it's appropriate water connection, has also come to life and is producing at maximum (we need all the cold help we can get in Texas right now!) Thanks to the expert advice and guidance from ifixit and jayeff, it appears that I have revived my Maytag. Best!

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Hi @marcosgonz44674

The compressor shouldn't be running non stop.

It should stop when the set temp has been reached and start again when the pre-set upper limit has been reached (I know if it is hot and if the doors are opened a lot due to normal usage this is not often - but maybe during the night it might)

And it should also occasionally be automatically stopped so that the defrost function can be performed i.e. at least once every 8-10 hours for 20-25 minutes.

If not you may end up with another problem of not cooling properly due to the evaporator fan being stopped due to it being iced up i.e. normal ice build up on evaporator unit not being defrosted regularly so it builds up and covers the fan

The tech sheet I linked below details how to perform a manual electrical defrost to make sure that the defrost function is working OK

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Hi @marcosgonz44674

Usually you can tell if the compressor start relay is faulty if you remove it from the refrigerator and gently (stress gently) shake it and check if it rattles at all. If it does it is faulty if not it should be OK

You should be able to feel if the compressor is running if you can't hear it, by placing your hand on it (be careful, it will be warm if it is but it shouldn't be hot).

By power resetting the refrigerator i.e. disconnect/reconnect the power to the refrigerator, so that it sometimes works I'm wondering if there's a problem with the defrost control board in the refrigerator. (supplier example only)

What should happen is that every approx. 8-10 hours of either actual time duration or compressor run time duration (time duration depends what method is used) the evaporator fan and the compressor are both turned off and the defrost heater in the freezer compartment is turned on to melt the accumulated ice build up on the evaporator coils inside the freezer compartment.

The defrost time period is usually 20-25 minutes.

After this time has elapsed the heater is turned off (or it is turned off earlier by the defrost thermostat depends on temp in freezer during defrost) and the compressor and the evap fan are both turned on again to drive the temperatures in the compartments back down to their set operating temperature.

It may be that after you have "reset" the defrost control board by disconnecting/reconnecting the power the compressor starts up etc and at the next defrost cycle when the defrost cycle has ended it fails to start again.

This is just conjecture as to what may be happening of course.

Here's the tech sheet for the refrigerator that may help. It describes how you can manually check the defrost control and also has the wiring diagram that may help.

Sorry for the long answer but I thought if you know how it should work then it's easier to find out what's wrong when it doesn't.

Manages the defrost cycle in your refrigerator by controlling the timing and duration of defrost periods. Image

Product

Whirlpool Refrigerator Adaptive Defrost Control Board - WP2304099

$234.99

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