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HomeRepair HelpAdmiral Refrigerator RepairAdmiral Refrigerator defrost drain clogged Repair

Admiral Refrigerator defrost drain clogged

A clogged defrost drain will let meltwater back up and puddle in the bottom of the fridge, and the most likely causes are a faulty evaporator fan motor, a frozen or clogged defrost drain, a missing or damaged drain strap, a bad drain heater, or, less commonly, a failed main control board. Start by checking the evaporator fan: turn the blade by hand, listen for unusual noise, and test the windings with a multimeter if it will not run. If the drain trough overflows, try clearing a frozen defrost drain and tube with warm water from a turkey baster, then check the drain tube trap and clean any debris that would leave the refrigerator drain clogged. Make sure any drain strap or drain heater is in place and functioning so the clogged defrost drain won’t refreeze. Only after you confirm the defrost system parts are good should you consider the main control board. Enter your model number at RepairClinic.com to find the exact replacement evaporator fan motor, drain strap, drain heater, or control board that fits your refrigerator.

01 - Admiral 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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02 - Clogged or Freezing Defrost Drain

The defrost drain might be clogged or frozen. If the defrost drain is frozen, the water will overflow the drain trough and drip down to the bottom of the compartment. You can use a turkey baster and warm water to help clear out a frozen defrost drain and tube. You should also make sure the drain tube trap is clear by the drain pan.
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03 - Admiral 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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04 - Admiral 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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05 - Admiral Refrigerator Drain Heater

Some refrigerators are equipped with drain heaters. Drain heaters prevent the water in the drain pan from re-freezing and clogging the defrost drain. If your drain heater is defective or is not in the proper position, the defrost drain might freeze over.
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06 - Admiral Refrigerator Main Control Board

The main control board regulates the power supply to all of the refrigerator components, including the defrost system. If the main control board is defective, it may stop sending voltage to the defrost system which can lead to the defrost drain becoming clogged with ice. Control boards are frequently misdiagnosed—before replacing the main control, first test all of the defrost system components. If none of the defrost system components are defective, consider replacing the control board.
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Less Common

Frequently Asked Questions

Fridge not cooling but freezer works: could a clogged defrost drain cause this?
How do I clear a frozen or clogged defrost drain?
Can a bad evaporator fan motor cause the defrost drain to clog?
What is a drain strap or drain heater and how do I know if it needs replacing?
How do I enter my model number or part number at RepairClinic.com to find the correct replacement part?

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