I have a Kenmore Model # 970-609820 purchased in 1999 or so. The refrigerator works fine except top mounted freezer frosts up every couple of...

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If thers a problem with defrosting on the freezer there are four elemts or parts that needs to be checked: Defrost Timer, Defrost Heater Assembly, Defrost Thermostat and the Door Gasket. Can you see frost buildup on the freezer evaporator coils?

Hi John,

Yes looks like the coils are frozen. I have provided some information that may have failed that helps melt away any frost that may have accumulated on the freezer evaporator coils. Which iswhy you are having this issue. Please have to time to read the information and follow the instructions below to check or test each parts. Basically what you will need in testing is a multimeter or Tester for continuity tests.

Please leave a message for additional questions. I'll be online at around 10am MT to do a follow up in case you need further assistance. 

Most Frequent Causes for Freezer coils frozen:

1. DEFROST TIMER: The defrost timer turns on the defrost heater several times throughout the day to melt any frost that may have accumulated on the freezer evaporator coils. If the defrost heater does not turn on, frost will continue to accumulate on the evaporator coils, and the coils will eventually frost over. In order for the defrost timer to turn on the defrost heater, the defrost timer must advance into the defrost cycle. If the defrost timer is not advancing properly, the defrost heater won’t turn on. To determine if the timer is defective, slowly turn the timer with a screwdriver or by hand. Turn the timer until it clicks. When the timer clicks, the compressor and fans will shut off. If the defrost thermostat and heater are working properly, the heater will turn on. If the heater turns on, this indicates that the timer is defective and must be replaced.

2. DEFROST HEATER: The defrost heater turns on several times throughout the day to melt away any frost that may have accumulated on the freezer evaporator coils. If the defrost heater does not turn on, frost will continue to accumulate on the evaporator coils, and the coils will eventually frost over. To determine if the defrost heater is at fault, use a multimeter to test the defrost heater for continuity. If the defrost heater does not have continuity, replace it.

3. DEFROST THERMOSTAT: The defrost heater turns on several times throughout the day to melt away any frost that may have accumulated on the freezer evaporator coils. Before the defrost heater turns on, the defrost thermostat must sense that the evaporator coils are cold enough. If the coils are cold enough, the defrost thermostat will allow the defrost heater to turn on. (Usually, the temperature of the coils must be below 30 degrees Fahrenheit.) If the thermostat is defective, the defrost heater won’t turn on, causing the evaporator coils to frost over. To determine if the defrost thermostat is at fault, use a multimeter to test the thermostat for continuity. If the defrost thermostat does not have continuity, replace it.

Good Luck!

Hi John sorry for the delay. I have provided the parts and how they look like below. I hope this would help. Please let me know if this helps and you have additional questions after identifying the parts and once you are back online. Thanks.

Defrost Timer for your Kenmore Freezer

Defrost Heater Assembly for your Kenmore Freezer

Defrost Thermostat for your Kenmore Freezer