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HomeRepair HelpJC Penney Refrigerator RepairJC Penney Refrigerator defrost drain clogged Repair

JC Penney Refrigerator defrost drain clogged

If your refrigerator has a defrost drain clogged or frozen and water is pooling or dripping to the bottom of the compartment, start by checking the evaporator fan motor—if the fan blade won’t spin freely, is noisy, or the motor has no continuity, cold air can migrate and cause ice buildup in the drain. Next, clear a frozen defrost drain with a turkey baster and warm water and make sure the drain tube trap and trough are clear, since a clogged defrost drain is a common cause of overflow. Inspect for a missing or damaged drain strap, which conducts heat from the defrost heater into the drain, and check the drain heater itself if your model has one. The main control board can cause defrost failures but is less common, so test all defrost components before replacing it. If you need parts, enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact replacement for your refrigerator and get step-by-step parts and repair guidance for a clogged defrost drain.

01 - JC Penney 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 - JC Penney 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 - JC Penney 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 - JC Penney 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 - JC Penney 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

How does a clogged or frozen defrost drain cause problems with my refrigerator?
What is the quickest way to clear a frozen defrost drain?
How do I test an evaporator fan motor to see if it is causing drain ice or cooling problems?
My freezer is cold but the refrigerator section is warm. Could the defrost drain be responsible?
How do I enter my model number on RepairClinic.com to find the correct replacement part?

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