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HomeRepair HelpAmana Refrigerator RepairAmana Refrigerator has frost or ice buildup Repair
Amana Refrigerator has frost or ice buildup
If your Amana refrigerator has frost or ice buildup, the problem is almost always a failed defrost system that is letting frost accumulate on the evaporator or in the defrost drain. Start with the most likely causes: a defective defrost control board, but before you replace it test the defrost heater and defrost thermostat to rule out those parts. If those check out, the defrost timer can also fail to advance into or out of the defrost cycle and leave the coils iced over. A stuck or dead evaporator fan motor can let cold air migrate to the drain and cause ice blockage, and missing drain straps or a clogged defrost drain will let melted water refreeze and produce recurring ice buildup. This is a repair you can do yourself with basic tools and a multimeter. Enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact replacement defrost control board, timer, heater, fan motor, or drain strap that fits your refrigerator and get step-by-step parts and repair guidance.
01 - Amana Refrigerator Defrost Control Board
The defrost control board determines how often to run the defrost cycle. If the board fails, the refrigerator will not go into the defrost cycle. Before replacing the defrost control board, first test the defrost heater and defrost thermostat. If the defrost heater and defrost thermostat are working properly, the defrost control board is likely defective.
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02 - Amana Refrigerator Defrost Timer
The defrost timer turns on the defrost heater several times throughout the day to melt any frost that may have accumulated on the evaporator coils. If the defrost timer is defective, it may not advance into the defrost cycle, or it may not send power to the defrost heater during the defrost cycle. To determine if the defrost timer is defective, slowly advance the dial into the defrost cycle. The compressor should turn off and the heater should turn on. If the timer does not send power to the defrost components or advance out of the defrost cycle within 30 minutes, this indicates that the defrost timer is not advancing. If ...
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03 - Amana Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve
The water inlet valve requires a minimum of 20 psi to shut off properly. If the water pressure is too low, the valve may not close fully once the power is shut off. As a result, the valve will leak water into the ice maker and cause the ice maker to overflow. Check the water pressure to determine if it is at least 20 psi. If the water pressure is sufficient, the water inlet valve is likely defective. The valve may not shut off all the way or may be stuck open, causing water to leak through the valve. If the water pressure is sufficient, but the ice maker is still overflowing, replace the water inlet valve.
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04 - Amana Refrigerator Fan Motor
If the refrigerator's defrost drain is clogged, it's possible the evaporator fan motor is not working. If the evaporator fan is not running, cold air from the evaporator can migrate to the defrost drain causing ice buildup in the drain. To determine if the evaporator fan motor is defective, try turning the fan blade by hand. If the fan blade does not turn freely, replace the fan motor. Additionally, if the motor is unusually noisy, replace it. Finally, if the motor does not run at all, use a multimeter to test the motor windings for continuity. If the windings do not have continuity, replace the evaporator fan motor.
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05 - Amana Refrigerator Drain Strap
Some defrost drains are outfitted with a drain strap. The drain strap is a small piece of copper or aluminum that attaches to the defrost heater and extends partway into the defrost drain. When the defrost heater turns on, heat is conducted through the drain strap to melt away any ice that may have accumulated further down in the defrost drain. If the drain strap is not in place, the defrost drain may be more likely to freeze over.
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06 - Amana Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Motor
If the refrigerator's defrost drain is clogged, it's possible the evaporator fan motor is not working. If the evaporator fan is not running, cold air from the evaporator can migrate to the defrost drain causing ice buildup in the drain. To determine if the evaporator fan motor is defective, try turning the fan blade by hand. If the fan blade does not turn freely, replace the fan motor. Additionally, if the motor is unusually noisy, replace it. Finally, if the motor does not run at all, use a multimeter to test the motor windings for continuity. If the windings do not have continuity, replace the evaporator fan motor.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my refrigerator not defrosting and building up frost or ice?
Freezer cold but fridge warm: why is my fridge not cooling but freezer works?
How do I unclog the defrost drain?
Why is my ice maker overflowing with water?
How do I find and buy the correct replacement part on RepairClinic.com?
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