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HomeRepair HelpHardwick Refrigerator RepairHardwick Refrigerator defrost drain clogged Repair

Hardwick Refrigerator defrost drain clogged

If your refrigerator has a defrost drain clogged or a frozen defrost drain, start with the parts that cause ice buildup most often. The evaporator fan motor is the top suspect because a stalled or noisy fan lets cold air migrate toward the drain and encourage icing; try turning the fan blade by hand and if it’s stiff, noisy, or won’t run, test the motor windings for continuity and replace the evaporator fan motor if faulty. Next check for a clogged or freezing drain itself; warm water and a turkey baster can clear ice from the drain trough and tube, and make sure the drain tube trap at the drain pan is clear. Also inspect for a missing or damaged drain strap, which conducts heater heat into the drain to keep it clear, and check any drain heater for proper position and operation. A faulty main control board can stop defrost cycles, but control boards are commonly misdiagnosed, so test the defrost components first. Enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact replacement evaporator fan motor, drain strap, drain heater, or control board for your refrigerator.

01 - Hardwick 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 - Hardwick 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 - Hardwick 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 - Hardwick 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 - Hardwick 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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Frequently Asked Questions

Defrost drain clogged: how do I clear a frozen or clogged defrost drain?
Freezer cold but fridge warm: could a clogged defrost drain cause this?
Refrigerator leaking water: why is water pooling under or inside my fridge?
Refrigerator noisy or loud: how can I tell if the evaporator fan motor is bad?
How do I enter my model number or part number on RepairClinic.com to find the correct replacement part?

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