Ice/ water freezing under deli drawer, GE profile, bottom freezer

[smcowan1]

Model Number: PFSS6PKXCSS
Brand: Brand
Age: 1-5 years

We have been getting water under the deli drawer that freezes for approx 1year. We continually remove it but would like to fix the problem finally! Everything else works great. Thank you in advance or your help!

[vbquick1]

I had the same problem and was able to fix it. There is a water container behind the drawer on the left rear wall (you have to take off the inside cover). Mine was leaking where the tube connects to the container. This container is used as a cooling tank for your water dispenser on the door. I was able to get the water level down far enough where i could take a couple of drops of CA (super glue) glue and drop it on the area where the two connect. That was it...no more leak.

[Doc Ryan]

As vbquick1 found on their refrigerator, it could be coming from the water reservoir tank, or it could also come from the defrost drain for the evaporator coil behind the back panel in the refrigerator. Let me know what you find.

[Murman]

I have the same problem with the ice forming under the deli tray. The water on mine is coming from the defrost drain that keeps freezing up. I think all this excess moisture in the refrigerator is what eventually causes the icing up of the coil. Once a year, the ice gets so bad that the fan blades start hitting it and then I have to defrost the fridge to get the back panel thawed out enough so that I can remove the ice buildup and clear the drain. Why do you think this drain is freezing up and how can I repair it? Thanks

[Doc Ryan]

First thing to do is to thaw out the drain and make sure that there are not any clogs or restrictions in the drain tube.

[Murman]

Thanks for your response. I used hot water to thaw out the drain tube and then flushed it several times with more hot water to make sure there wasn't any more ice left. The drain flows as quickly as I can pour water into it. What could be causing the drain to freeze?

[Doc Ryan]

Thanks for your response. I used hot water to thaw out the drain tube and then flushed it several times with more hot water to make sure there wasn't any more ice left. The drain flows as quickly as I can pour water into it. What could be causing the drain to freeze?

You will just have to wait to see if the drain freezes back up. We have seen on some of these refrigerators where there is no fix to the problem.

[Murman]

You will just have to wait to see if the drain freezes back up. We have seen on some of these refrigerators where there is no fix to the problem.

Hey Doc, I'm back. I, once again, had to defrost the fridge due to the drain freezing up back in November. I am now having to do the same thing again. The drain was frozen and the ice had built up so badly that the fan was hitting it.
Shouldn't there be a heater for the drain to keep this from happening? If there is, where is it located and is it replaceable? Thanks

[Doc Ryan]

What is the model number of your refrigerator?

[Murman]

It's the same as the one in the original post, PFSS6PKXCSS.

[Doc Ryan]

Was the whole coil full of ice and frost? If so, it sounds like it is not going through the automatic defrost cycle. When it is working properly there is a heater that should turn on around twice a day to heat up and melt the frost/ice on the evaporator coil. If this is not happening then this would be the cause of the frost and ice build up and it could also be the cause of the drain freezing up. There is a small metal piece that attaches onto the defrost heater that goes into the defrost drain that normally keep the defrost drain from icing up.

There are four components that work together to control the automatic defrost cycle, the defrost heater, defrost thermostat, defrost sensor, and the main control board. Before working on the refrigerator or testing parts make sure it is unplugged. This video shows how to test the defrost thermostat. The defrost heater can be tested for continuity with the wires disconnected. To accurately test the thermistor, place the thermistor in a glass of ice water (approximately 33°F (0.5°C)) for several minutes and check for approximately 12.7K Ohms. There is not a test process for the main control board, it can only be determine bad by a process of elimination. Let us know what you find.

These are the parts for your model refrigerator:

Temperature Sensor - Part # PD00001570 (mfg # WR23X10582)


Defrost Thermostat - Part # PD00008300 (mfg # WR02X12592)


Main Control Board - Part # PD00001423 (mfg # WR55X10998)


Defrost Heater - Part # PD00009145 (mfg # WR02X12603)

[Murman]

Hey Doc, thanks for your detailed reply. I was out of town at the time and then forgot to reply when I got home.
I'll check all that stuff next time it freezes up and I have to take it apart again. I'll let you know what I find. Thanks again.

[Doc Ryan]

Hey Doc, thanks for your detailed reply. I was out of town at the time and then forgot to reply when I got home.
I'll check all that stuff next time it freezes up and I have to take it apart again. I'll let you know what I find. Thanks again.

Sounds good!

[normbrown99]

I am having the same issue. A layer of ice forms under the deli drawer on a GE Model PFSS6PKXDSS. The frig came with the house, this is our second year using it and it did not freeze up the first year. Lately I have been clearing the layer of ice out monthly. I have read the procedures for clearing the drain hose. I was wondering if there is an actual fix, or is it just a matter of clearning the drain line and hoping for the best. I have no problem replacing parts, heater, etc, if that will help. Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Thank you.