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HomeRepair HelpArctic Air Refrigerator RepairArctic Air Refrigerator defrost drain clogged Repair

Arctic Air Refrigerator defrost drain clogged

If your refrigerator’s defrost drain is clogged, the usual suspects are the evaporator fan motor, a frozen or blocked drain, a missing drain strap, a faulty drain heater, and, less commonly, the main control board. Start with the evaporator fan motor because a stuck or dead fan can let cold air settle in the drain and form ice; turn the fan blade by hand and test the motor windings if it does not run. If the fan checks out, a frozen defrost drain or debris in the tube is next; warm water from a turkey baster often clears a clogged defrost drain and the drain tube trap. Also inspect for a drain strap that conducts heater heat into the drain, and check the drain heater if your model has one. Only after testing those components should you consider the main control board. If you need replacement parts, enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact part that fits your refrigerator and get step-by-step parts guidance.

01 - Arctic Air 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 - Arctic Air 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 - Arctic Air 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 - Arctic Air 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 - Arctic Air 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

Defrost drain clogged: how do I clear a frozen defrost drain?
Fridge not cooling but freezer works — can a clogged defrost drain cause that?
Why is water leaking onto my kitchen floor — could it be the defrost drain?
How do I know if the evaporator fan motor is bad?
How do I enter my model number or part number to find the right replacement part on RepairClinic.com?

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