Teal 1959 GE Swing-out Shelf Refrigerator

[turbokinetic]

That red arrow is pointing to the "suction accumulator" which is where surplus refrigerant liquid is stored while the unit is operating. That part should be one of the last areas of the evaporator to get frost on it. 

The blue arrow I can't really see what it is pointing to!  The black arrow clip looks like it should indeed be supporting that line. Looks like someone has already worked on this unit; or the factory assembly techs built this one on a Monday or Friday LOL!

 

You're very unlikely to find any current HVAC techs who will charge this for you. It is sad and wrong, but it is how things have gone. If you decide to go DIY you'll have to likely do the whole job, including getting the correct tools to do it. There are no shortcuts around having the correct tools, by the way. 

 

EDIT: An typically, the cold-control is reliable. You can still get replacements for this, as well even if it goes bad.

 

[baltimore]

The fact that it seems to have been serviced is probably my biggest concern. I wonder why was it serviced. Probably for the same failure mode I am experiencing now, no cooling in fridge. So why did they pull that pull that module (black arrow in reply #18) out from its cubby on the back wall. This module in question is covered in a wrap of flexible foam.

I feel like the first thing the mechanic would have done in this previous service is to add R12 to the system and then perform a leak down test. That leak test must not have went well if the next step was to expose the hidden plumbing.

When you speak of a cold control (that is readily available still) , are you talking about the knob and the switch the knob connects to (top front ceiling of fridge)? Does that switch also control a refrigerant valve, or does the switch connect to a valve by wires? I wonder if the unknown module (black arrow) is the valve that allow/disallows R12 to circulate thru the refrigerator evaporator? I attached a quick sketch of the refrigeration circuit (the parts I can see without removing the inner liner).

Does anyone know if the online manual for this fridge covers removing the inner liner and also if it details the refrigeration circuit in my specific model?
https://www.automatice.org/cgi-bin/index.cgi?showdoc~1104~General Electric~RF

The 1959 model year (and those just before and after) seems to be a transition period where the cooling technology/strategy is changing slightly each year. I am worried the manual may not cover my specific model. In my research I believe I saw that this model eventually got a fan that blows on the upper freezer evaporator coil, and later on the fridge evaporator coil was removed and the coils were moved into the wall cavity (and placed in physical contact with the freezer coils, maybe?). And when they did a major model change in the mid 60s, I think I read that they switched to the modern strategy of using a fan to bleed off cold air from the fridge to maintain the fridge temp.

 

[sudsmaster]

I recall we had something similar when I was a kid. Instead of the doors swinging out on one end, they could pivot around a central pillar. I also remember getting yelled at if I opened the fridge and experimented with the pushbuttons. Eventually we moved and I never saw a fridge like that again.

 

 

[baltimore]

Does anyone know who runs the other website that sells the manuals? I filled out the online form to ask a question and I never heard back.

Does anyone know if the online manual for this fridge covers removing the inner liner and also if it details the refrigeration circuit in my specific model?
https://www.automatice.org/cgi-bin/index.cgi?showdoc~1104~General Electric~RF

 

[sudsmaster]

Oops, I said the doors swung out. I meant to say the shelves swung out.

 

Sorry!

 

 

[turbokinetic]

@baltimore - Hey Jeff; as far as the Automatic Ephemera manual download site, I'm reasonably sure our webmaster Robert (Unimatic1140) is responsible for that site as well. It might do well to reach out to him via his profile e-mail. He can get you on the right path, I expect.