Freezer Not Freezing

Freezers not freezing is a common troubleshooting issue that can emerge from time to time. Don’t assume that the unit has come to the end of its life and requires replacing. Simple fixes will often correct the issue. 

Here’s what to do: 

1. Check the condenser coils. Condenser coils are a critical component in refrigerators and freezers. They transfer heat from the refrigerant to the surrounding environment. New freezers have clean coils, but over time, they can attract dust, and that can degrade their performance. To check if your coils are clean, turn off the unit, pull it out from the wall, and visually inspect them. If they’re dirty, use a vacuum to remove the dust. Please note that freezers with internal coils do not require cleaning. 
2. Check the evaporator fan motor. This device passes air over the coils, making heat transfer more efficient. When it stops working, the freezer will struggle to achieve freezing temperatures. Usually, when you open your freezer door, a micro-switch automatically switches off the fan so it doesn’t operate as you browse for food. To check if it is working, find the micro-switch, press it, and see if the fan moves. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to contact a Maytag engineer to fit a replacement – part numbers WP2315539, WPW10189703, W11024089, WPW1012855, WPW10514110, and WP3-60336-001.
3. Check the start relay. If the start relay isn’t operating correctly, the compressor won’t run, and the freezer won’t cool. If you have a multi-meter at home, you can check if the start relay is malfunctioning. Remove the component from your freezer, and then place the multimeter probes on the start and run terminals. If the unit smells burned or you can’t achieve continuity, order a replacement part. 

Freezer Runs All The Time

There are many reasons why your Maytag freezer might be running all the time. 

Here’s a checklist for solving this common problem: 

1. Issues with the temperature control thermostat
   1. Rotate the control thermostat from its lowest to its highest setting. If you hear an audible click, then the thermostat is unlikely the source of the problem. 
   2. If there is no click, then connect the thermostat to a multimeter to test for continuity. Lack of continuity indicates a defective part. 
2. Issues with the defrost timer
   1. If the defrost timer doesn’t switch on, frost will accumulate on the evaporator coils, causing them to stop functioning correctly. 
   2. To check the defrost time, turn it using a screwdriver and listen for a click. This should cause the compressor and fans to switch off and the coil heater to switch on. 
   3. If the heater switches on and defrosts the coils, the timer is faulty. 
3. Dirty condenser coils. 
   1. On most freezers, condenser coils are inside the freezer walls and don’t require cleaning. However, if they are at the back of the device, you should remove dust every six to twelve months. 
   2. Pull the freezer away from the wall to provide access to the coils
   3. Vacuum them or use a duster. 

Freezer Leaking Water

Occasionally, you may notice that your freezer is leaking water. Usually, this means that you have a clogged or freezing defrost drain. 

During defrost cycles, water leaves the freezer through a defrost drain. However, in some situations, water can freeze over the drain, causing subsequent flows to spill out of the bottom of the freezer over the floor. 

To resolve this issue, do the following: 

1. Switch off the freezer and remove it from the wall (if you have a freestanding unit). 
2. Access the defrost drain. 
3. Thaw any ice using hot water, delivered via a turkey baster. 
4. If you experience this problem repeatedly, consider installing a drain heater. 

Freezer Makes Clicking Sounds All The Time

Some Maytag freezers have a nasty habit of developing clicking sounds as they get older. This issue arises from either a faulty start relay or problems with the compressor. 

Start relays provide power to the compressor – the unit that provides the freezer with cooling. When they start to fail, they can make a clicking sound. 

Here’s the fix: 

1. Unplug the freezer from the mains
2. Locate the start relay. 
3. Unplug and remove the relay from the compressor (usually by unscrewing it)
4. Use a multimeter to test for continuity between the start and run terminals. 
5. If it fails a continuity test or smells burnt, swap it out for a new one. 

Compressors are vital components that circulate refrigerant throughout the refrigerator, via evaporator and condenser coils. When they become defective, they too can make a clicking sound. 

Here’s the fix: 

1. Unplug the freezer from mains power and pull it from the wall. 
2. Locate the condenser unit. It should be visible at the back of the appliance or behind a shroud. 
3. Use a multimeter to test for continuity between the electrical pins on the side of the compressor. 
4. If the circuit is open, it means that the compressor is defective. You shouldn’t attempt to replace it yourself. Hire a licensed professional to do it for you. 

The Freezer Light Isn’t Working

Freezer lights, just like normal lights, have a limited life. If your freezer light is out, check the following: 

1. Ensure that the light itself is burned out and not any wires or connections to it. 
2. Check the control and display board. Sometimes these can become defective, preventing power from reaching the light (though this is rare). If the indicator light is in good working order but won’t light when you open the door, then you might need a new control panel.