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Electrolux Refrigerator has frost or ice buildup

If your Electrolux refrigerator has frost or ice buildup, start with the defrost system: a failed defrost control board is the most common culprit because it stops the unit from entering the defrost cycle. Before replacing the board, test the defrost heater and defrost thermostat for continuity. If those pass, check the defrost timer by advancing it into the defrost position and confirming the compressor turns off and the heater comes on. After the timer, a stuck or leaking water inlet valve can cause ice from an overflowing ice maker, and a stalled or noisy evaporator fan motor can let cold air pool and freeze in the drain. Also look for a missing or broken drain strap and a clogged defrost drain, which let ice build up farther down the line. These checks cover the usual causes when a refrigerator is not defrosting or the defrost drain is clogged. Enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact replacement defrost control board, timer, fan motor, inlet valve, or drain parts for your refrigerator.

01 - Electrolux 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 - Electrolux 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 ...the defrost timer is not advancing, replace it.
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03 - Electrolux 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 - Electrolux 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 - Electrolux 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 - Electrolux 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 there frost or ice buildup on my Electrolux refrigerator evaporator?
How can I tell if the defrost control board or defrost timer is bad?
My freezer is cold but the fridge section is warm; could a frozen defrost drain or evaporator fan be to blame?
The ice maker is overflowing with water. Is the water inlet valve the likely cause?
How do I enter my model number or part number on RepairClinic.com to find the right replacement part?

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