Kenmore 73141, 77171, 73871 manual Before You Call for Service, Vibration or rattling, Foods dry out

Before You Call for Service

Save time and money, Check this list of causes of minor operating problems you can correct yourself

Refrigerator does not operate

•May be in defrost cycle when motor does not operate for about 30 minutes

-Temperature control in OFF position

•If interior light is not on, refrigerator may not be plugged in at wall outlet.

•If plug is secure and refrigerator fails to operate, plug

lamp into some outlet to determine if there is tripped circuit breaker or burned out fuse

Motor operates for long periods

•Modern refrigerators with more storage space and a larger freezer require more operating time,

•Normal when refrigerator isfirst delivered to your home- usually requires 24 hours o completely cool down. 'Large amounts of food placed in refrigerator to be cooled or frozen

•Hot weather-frequent door openings

•Door left open

"Temperature controls set too cold

•Condenser needs cleaning

•Check ENERGY-SAVING TtPS_

Motor starts and stops frequently

•Temperature control starts and stops motor to maintain even temperatures This is normal

Vibration or rattling

•If refrigerator vibrates, more than Jikely it is not resting solidly on the floor. The front roller screws need adjusting, or floor isweak or uneven Refer to Starting The Refrigerator section

•If dishes vibrate on shelves, try moving them. Slight vibration is normal

Operating sounds

•The high speed compressor motor required to maintain near zero temperatures in the large freezer compartment may produce higher sound levels than your old refrigerator

•Normal fan air flow-one fan blows cold air through the refrigerator and freezer compartments-another fan cools

the compressor motor_

•These NORMAL soundswill also be heard from time to time:

-Defrost timer switch clicks at defrost, -Defrost water dripping -Temperature control dicks ON or OFF -Refrigerant baiting or gurgling

-Cracking or popping of cooling coils caused by expansion and contraction during defrost and refrigeration following defrost

-Ice cubes dropping into the bin and water running in pipes as icemoker refills

Hot air from bottom of refrigerator

•Normal air flow cooling motor in the refrigeration process, it is normal that heat be expelled in the area under the refrigerator Some floor coverings will discolor at these normal and safe operating temperatures Your floor covering supplier should be consulted if you object

to this discoloration, 12

Foods dry out

•Foods not covered, wrapped or sealed properly

Fresh food or freezer compartment temperature too

warm

"Temperature controls not set cold enough

•Warm weather-frequent door openings - Door left open for long time

- Package may be holding door open or bbcking air duct in freezer compartment

Frost or ice crystals on frozen food

•Door may have been left ajar or package holding door open

"Too frequent or too tong door openings.

•Frost within package is normal

Slow ice cube freezing

°Door may have been left ajar_

•Set temperature of freezer compartment colder

Ice cubes have odor/taste

•Old cubes need to be discarded Empty ice bin every 30 days_

•Ice storage bin needs to be washed

•Unsealed packages in refrigerator and/or freezer

compartments may be transmitting odor/taste to ice cubes_

• Interior of refrigerator needs cleaning Automatic icemaker does not work

•Icemaker feeler arm in STOP (up) positiom

•Water supply turned off or not connected,

•Freezer compartment too warm,

•Cubes too small-water shutoff valve connecting refrigerator to home water line may be clogged.

•Sometimes cubes fuse to the side of the ice mold and

hold the feeler arm in the STOP (up) position Remove this ice to restart the icemaker

•Piled up cubes in storage bin may cause icemaker to shut off prematurely With icemaker feeler arm in STOP (up) position, level cubes in bin by hand.

•When leveling cubes by hand, you may have pushed the feeler arm into the STOP (up) position by mistake_

Moisture forms on outside of refrigerator

•Not unusual during periods of high humidity

•Move Power Miser Switch to the right Moisture collects inside

•Too frequent or too long door openings

"In humid weather, air carries moisture into refrigerator when doors are opened.

Refrigerator has odor

•Foods with strong odors should be tightly covered

" Check far spoiled food

•Interiorneeds cleaning Referto Care and Cleaning section

•Defrost water system needs deaning_

•Keep open box of baking soda in refrigerator; replace every three months_

Interior light does not work

•No power at outlet

•Light bulb needs replacing See Care and Cleaning section