GE Garage Freezer running hot on inside

[dylanmitchell]

I opened up my GE garage freezer and it was warm inside. Temp was about 90 degrees and of course, all the food was ruined. What would cause it to run hot?

It's a small 5 cubic ft chest freezer I got about two months ago. I hadn't opened it in a few weeks and was greeted by spoiled food and a horrible odor.

GE® 5.0 Cu. Ft. Chest Freezer-White-FCM5SKWW

 

[repairguy]

I would guess the compressor relay if the compressor is not running. If the compressor is running in this situation it’s time for a new freezer.

 

[repairguy]

Could be the thermostat if the compressor isn’t running as well. Plugging it back in will tell. If you hear the compressor trying to start it’s probably the relay. If you hear nothing from the compressor it’s probably the thermostat. I’ve already jumped the gun but make sure it has power first.

 

[rp2813]

You could also just turn the cold control to a colder setting and listen to what happens. 

 

The good news is that working freezers show up for free on CL fairly often.  The older the more reliable.

 

[dylanmitchell]

Yep, made in china. Not a lot of choices for small chest freezers but though GE would be ok. I unplugged it and verified the outlet has power. Turned the thermostat down and the compressor sounds like it is running so the relay and thermostat should be ok. Modern appliances aren't known for reliability but I expected a good couple of years out of it. It's still under warranty to I set a GE tech appointment. Looked at the receipt and I've had it since April of this year.

 

[sudsmaster]

Freezer fail after just a few months? That really sucks.

I've had my 14 cu ft Kenmore chest freezer for about 15 years, and it's been super reliable. The only problem I've run into was when it was over filled, the lid didn't close all the way, and the result was ice build-up in the walls. I think. That was about eight years ago. I moved all the stuff inside into temporary storage, set the flash defrost and let the whole thing warm up to melt the ice between the walls, and it's been running fine since. And I've been very careful to make sure the lid closes all the way. The flash defrost is a little button you pull out in the lid, and it sets a heating element on in the walls where the cooling coils are.

Just took a look at it... looks like it's due for another defrost session. Probably can wait till winter.

 

[turbokinetic]

That has to be super-frustrating and stinky. I hope GE provides lost food compensation for you.

Back in the day (and maybe still) manufacturers had an indicator light on the front of the freezer. It would turn on when the freezer was at temperature and remain on as long as the cabinet was cold. That would turn off and warn you if the cooling unit stopped working; or if power failed.

The 50's GE I am restoring at this time has a little C7 style Christmas bulb in the bottom for this. It has a resistor in series with the bulb to reduce the voltage and make the bulb last.

That would be a good thing to have so that you could see at a glance if the freezer was not operating correctly.

Another friend has one where the base of the freezer has a 6V lantern battery. That battery can operate a bell if the freezer warms up; in spite of no power to the mains plug. I think that one is a Philco.

 

[yogitunes]

many of newer fridges and freezers CAN NOT be used in places like a garage as in before...

there are sensors inside that will shut the machine down if excessive heat or cold are detected....

have seen many like this....wont work in extreme Summer heat in a garage....yet move back inside the home of regular ambient temps, and it will work fine...

unless your garage is insulated and heated/cooled like the interior of your home at all times, you can run into these issues...

same thing applies to Window A/C or Central Air units....wont operate if outside temps are lower than 50+/- degrees...

 

[appnut]

Folks, please bear in mind GE markets their freezers as "Garage ready".