A malfunctioning Maytag refrigerator or freezer could cause a lot of inconvenience in addition to the risk of food waste and spoilage. It is important to fix the issue as soon as you notice that your Maytag refrigerator or freezer stops maintaining food at the right temperature. It’s good to know that most of the problems that cause refrigerators and freezers to be too warm can be solved by a couple of simple steps. This article will cover the most common reasons for warmer refrigerators and freezers from Maytag and provide step-by-step solutions. It doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned DIYer or novice we’ll provide you with the knowledge you need to get your fridge and freezer back to the proper temperature.
Cold Control or Temperature Control
The cold control is a temperature-controlled switch that supplies power to the compressor and fan circuits in the refrigerator. The cold control may be out of calibration or is defective if the compressor or compressor are not functioning correctly. The usual fresh food temperature is 38°F with the control set at the mid-point. Check to ensure that the capillary tubes or sensing bulb has not been damaged or out of place and that the wire terminals of the capillary tube aren’t bent or corroded.
Unplug the Maytag refrigerator before beginning and then open the Maytag refrigerator’s doors and locate the control. It will be found just behind the temperature control knob and is usually found within the fresh food section control panel.
After removing the control from the appliance, turn the knob to the warmest setting. adjust your multi-meter to the Rx1 setting and make sure that the probes are positioned to the terminals
You’re testing for continuity, and you will see a reading that reads infinity. Set the control to higher (colder), and higher settings, while probes are still touching the terminals. If your reading shifts to zero, this means that there is continuity.
If the control fails any of the tests above, you will need a replacement Maytag cold control & temperature control.
Evaporator Fan Motor
The Maytag Evaporator Fan Motor is utilized to circulate cold air in the Maytag refrigerator while the compressor is operating. The fan can fail and the temperatures in the fresh food and freezer sections will rise slowly. If this happens it will cause the compressor to be more frequently and for longer than normal. With the compressor running it is also possible to notice the fan of the evaporator running at the same time, along with the condenser fan which is situated next to the compressor.
How do I inspect the Maytag refrigerator’s evaporator motor:
Disconnect the Maytag refrigerator from its power source. Also, remove the cover of the evaporator It is located in the freezer compartment.
The motor shaft should spin without resistance. try turning the shaft manually in order to test whether there is resistance.
If you discover a significant amount of ice on your motor It is recommended to remove the freezer from its frozen state to see if it resolves the problem. Also, inspect the motor for indications of wear and tear.
If it is not turning easily, or if it is obvious that it is worn, you will require a replacement Maytag evaporator motor.
Electronic Control Board
Certain models that are more recent in Maytag refrigerators can be equipped with an electronic control board. The control board is linked to thermometers or temperature sensors. They check the temperature in freezers and fresh food compartments. The control board uses this information to control the performance of the compressor motor, fan motors and defrost mechanism. If the temperatures are too hot, the electronic control is the cause. The electronic controls used by Maytag are costly, complicated and, in most cases, reliable. Before you condemn the control, make sure that the compressors, fans, and sensors work in a proper manner. Manufacturers could have specific information to help you identify the problem with the control.
How do you check the control board electronic of the Maytag refrigerator
Before you begin, unplug your refrigerator before you begin. You will be working using electrical parts.
Locate the electronic control panel and take it out of your appliance. It’s in the Maytag refrigerator. The control box is attached to the top of the refrigerator.
Examine your control board for signs of damage, for example, wear, burnt connections, or arcing.
You’ll need to replace the Maytag electronic control boards if you notice any of these symptoms.
Temperature Sensor or Thermistor
In the models that utilize the Electronic Control, a thermistor or temperature sensor can be utilized to measure fresh food and freezer temperatures. It is a small capsule like device that is covered by a plastic shield and can vary in resistance in response to temperature. This information is used by the control board in order to regulate the damper control and switch on fan circuits and compressors. If a sensor becomes damaged or defective it may in error signal the controller to shut off the fan and compressor and result in warmer than normal fresh food or freezer temperatures. Individual manufacturers may have specific information to test the sensors according to the model in question and also offer an error message on the control board’s electronic component on some models.
How to test the temperature sensor in an appliance using the multimeter:
Begin by disconnecting your Maytag refrigerator, then remove the back panel of your refrigerator to reveal the control board that is in the middle.
The control board will contain the thermistor(s). For testing the thermistor(s) then remove it from the appliance.
You’ll need to check them by placing the thermometer(s), in the ice bath for 5 minutes in order to raise the temperature to 32°F.
When you place the probes on terminals and your multimeter set to Rx1, you should receive a reading of 16,600 ohms (+/- 5 percent).
If you receive a measurement that isn’t within this range you’ll require a replacement temperature sensor from Maytag or thermistor.
Defrost Timer
The defrost timing device is an electromechanical timer which operates a series of contacts that regulate the compressor circuit and the heater circuit for defrost. A timer can trigger an defrost process every 8-10 hours. This is usually once per every day. The timer for defrost will typically stop the cycle after 20-30 minutes. After that the compressor and fans will resume.
How to test a timer for refrigerator defrost with a multi-meter:
Connect your appliance to the power source and locate the defrost timer. It’s located under the lower kickplate of the refrigerator or on the control panel of the Maytag refrigerator. It could also be on the refrigerator’s back wall.
After you’ve found it, pull the defrost timer out of the appliance and run a test.
Make use of a multimeter that has the Rx1 setting. One probe should touch the common terminal. (It is best to label it as “3” or C). The other probe should be placed on the other three terminals one at a time. The first pair should show an reading of zero or close to zero. This indicates continuity. The reading that is zero or near zero can also be read by the second pair. The third pair of terminals should give a reading infinity.
If you don’t receive these readings you will require an replacement timer for Maytag’s defrost.
Thermostat Defrosting
The Maytag safety thermostat, that is linked to the heater that defrosts, can be utilized to stop the defrost cycle at a particular temperature. It’s usually set between 38 and 47 degrees Fahrenheit. If the thermostat has a defect and remains open circuit, then the defrost heater will not be powered up and no defrosting will happen.
How to test the defrost thermostat of fridges using a multimeter
Unplug the Maytag refrigerator and locate your refrigerator’s defrost thermostat. It may be under the floor or at the back of freezer-on-top units. The defrost thermostat can be located on the back of a side-by side refrigerator.
Once you have located it, remove the thermostat that controls defrost to check it. You will have to remove any objects that are in the way, like the freezer’s contents, shelves for freezers or icemaker pieces, and the back, rear, or bottom panel.
Adjust your multimeter to the Rx1 setting. Each probe should be placed on the thermostat wire. If the thermostat is cold, it should produce an unreadable reading on your multi-meter. If it is warm (anywhere between forty and 90 degrees Fahrenheit) This test should give a reading of infinity.
If the results of your test are different from those presented here, you will need an replacement thermostat from Maytag.
Defrost Heater
The defrost heater is the device which melts frost and ice from the evaporator coils. It’s usually a metal wire filament that is contained in tubes of aluminum or glass. It is also possible to have more than one heater, dependent on the shape of the evaporator.
How to test the temperature of a refrigerator’s defrost with a multimeter:
Ensure that you have removed your appliance from its power source prior to beginning.
Locate your defrost heater. It could be hidden behind the front panel of the freezer area of your Maytag refrigerator, or beneath the floor of your refrigerator’s freezer section. Defrost heaters are typically situated underneath the evaporator coils on refrigerators. You’ll need to get rid of obstructions including the contents, freezer shelves, icemaker pieces and also the rear, bottom, or the bottom panels.
Before you test your defrost heater, you must remove it from the refrigerator. Two wires connect the defrost heating unit. They are joined by connectors that slip-on. Make sure you grasp the connectors using a solid grip and take them from the terminals. You might need a pair of needle-nosed pliers to aid you. Avoid pulling on the wires.
The multi-meter is a great tool to check the continuity of the heater. Set the multi-meter to the Rx1 scale and connect the leads of the tester on one terminal each. The reading should range between zero and infinity.
If you get a reading of zero or zero, you’ll need a replacement Maytag defrost heating unit.
Condenser Fan Motor
Modern frost-free Maytag refrigerators come with condenser coils with fan cooling. It’s usually situated near the compressor on the bottom rear of the refrigerator. Condenser fans circulate air through the condenser coil to remove heat. The condenser fan motor may be defective if the refrigerator made by Maytag is heating up faster than normal and the compressor is running almost constantly. The condenser fan motor operates at the same time as an evaporator motor and a compressor. The compressor will operate almost continuously when the fan motor stops turning.
How to check the motor of a refrigerator’s condenser fan:
Start by disconnecting your Maytag refrigerator to the source of power and then remove the panel that opens to the rear in order to locate the condenser motor. It’s usually located on the bottom of the appliance.
Once you’ve found it, inspect the fan for obstructions or debris that might stop it from moving freely. Also, examine the fan motor to determine if there are any signs of wear.
If the fan motor has become seized or worn it is time to get to purchase a Maytag replacement condenser fan motor.
A Maytag refrigerator or freezer that is overheated can lead to costly and frustrating issues. With a bit of troubleshooting , and some basic repair knowledge, many of the common reasons for hot refrigerators and freezers can be fixed swiftly and effectively. From checking the temperature settings and cleaning the coils there are a variety of actions you can take to bring back the cooling functionality for your appliance. By following the suggestions and directions in this post, you’ll be able to save money on repairs and ensure that your food is fresh and safe. To ensure your safety and efficiency it is recommended that you consult an experienced technician if you have any concerns about repairs.