Hotpoint ff93 fridge/freezer - fridge section not working

[DBridge]

I have a Hotpoint fridge/freezer ff93 which is about 3 years old. Unfortunately the top fridge section has stopped working and currently has a temperature of 18 deg C but the freezer is still working fine. There is a small vent at the top of the fridge section which normally has cold air coming out of it but now has nothing coming out of it. I have removed the cover at the back of the inside of the freezer section and the cooling fan is working. I have also checked the compressor fan on the bottom of the unit. The other end of the vent is in the freezer compartment - I have tried forcing air through it with a hair dryer suspecting that it might be blocked but no air comes out of the other end. Is there a valve of some description in the pipe which could be stuck? I am unable to get into the rear of the unit as it is a "flat back" model. Does anyone have any ideas how to progress this?

[Alan]

In message , DBridge wrote

Are there individual adjustments for fridge and freezer temperatures? If so, possibly one thermostat has failed. It will be located behind the temperature control adjuster and have a 75cm capillary tube (looks like a thick wire) fitted somewhere inside the fridge compartment.

Replacement approx. £10 + p&p from CPC

[Peter]

The valve in the duct is at the fridge end in the light fitting on the roof.

Peter

[dbridge]

Yes there are via some buttons and an LCD display on the top of the FF.

I have found the thermostat under the light housing with the paddle valve I was looking for. Placing the thermosat next to a cup of tea (not in it for obvious reasons) I was able to watch the temperature readout on the LCD panel change. So the thermostat is fine. The valve is open so I would expect the cold air to be circulating. I shall spend some more time investigating the vents.

[Peter]

If the fan in the freezer is running and the flap in the fridge is open then either the flow or return ducts must be obstructed with ice.

Peter

[dbridge]

I have tested the flap valve by putting an ice bock on the thermostat and it closed at the preset temperature and then opened again when the block was removed. I shall wait until the food in the freezer has been eaten and then do a thorough defrost.

[Andrew Gabriel]

I thought Hotpoints all had a 5 year manufacturer's guarantee? Might be limited after the first year to just labour or just parts -- can't recall.

[dbridge]

Yes it is a 5 year parts only guarantee. I haven't checked but I expect that hotpoint will charge just to have a look at it. If it is the case that it is iced up then I would rather just defost it

- I'm still waiting for the food to be eaten.

[Andy Minter]

Our fridge failed at the weekend (freezing everything in sight) I saw this post on Monday, found & ordered the 'stat. It arrived mid-day Tuesday, ten minute job to fit it. Result - wife over the moon. I'm popular at the moment. Thanks Alan

[D Bridge]

The food has now been eaten and I have defrosed the FF. I removed the back of the inside of the freezer section and then removed the polystyrene and the metal cover from the cooling fins. I found that there was ice covering up the return air duct. Defrosted with a hair dryer, put it all back together and gave the FF a good clean. Repowered and it is now working fine. The only remaining question is why the ice was there in the first place. If the problem re-occurs in the near future I suspect that the fault will lie with either the defrost timer or the heating element.

[Steve Harvey]

We had the same problem with our Hotpoint frost free freezer about 5 years ago (bought in 1992) and the cause was the defrost timer motor which was not turning so the cam switch was set for the compresssor & fan to run continously. We lived with the problem for a couple of years by removing the motor from the cam switch and then, on a weekly basis, I would turn the switch until the compressor stopped running and then turn is back, 45 minutes later. I could have bought a replacement unit of about 40 quid but it was not worth it as we were planning a new kitchen anyway. I recently aquired a new larder fridge and a chest freezer so we no longer use the old freezer part anyway and the unit lives in my garage with the freezer door removed and the top half as a beer store.

Remember the Hotpoint 5 year warranty is only for parts so you WILL have to pay labour - just make sure that you have the problem diagnosed so they wont cahrge you fo much faultfinding time

rgds

Steve