The whole freezer compartment should be basically the same temperature, it is all one compartment and shares the same air.

** fresh food part stays warm. Is this something I could fix myself? **

Possibly. You can read about likely causes of that symptom at the following link. Most repairs suggested should be able to be accomplished by a fairly handy person.

LINK > FAQ: My frost free refrigerator's fridge section is not cold enough. What might be the problem?

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site

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Is it ice or frost?? Ice is a frozen drain, wont let defrost water to leave the freezer. Builds up and blocks air flow through evaperator(cooling coil). Frost would be a defrost problem. I have replaced numerous defrost timers on amana. It is located behind front kick plate

I have the same problem with mine, it's almost 7 years old. Is there any way to test the defrost timer? I'm trying to rule out things before I just start buying and replacing parts. My freezer stopped freezing and the next day the fridge stopped working also. The fan in back is running and the compressor is hot, there's ice at the bottom of the freezer where the vents are and you can see frost covering the coils there. The bottom is cold but the top part of the freezer is warm. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

Tracy

** Is there any way to test the defrost timer? **

Not all refrigerator models have a defrost "timer", some use an electronic control instead. We could tell if yours did if you posted the appliance's brand name, model number (see the following link) and if also an Amana, its manufacturing number as well.

- Model Number Tag Search

LINK > http://www.appliance411.com/parts/tagsearch.cgi

On models that do have a timer, it is not usually directly tested. Instead, the rest of the defrost components are tested and the timer is just *assumed* to be defective if the rest check out Ok.

You can read about how the defrost system works on most frost-free refrigerators at the following link.

- How does a frost free refrigerator's defrost system work?

LINK > http://www.appliance411.com/links/jump.cgi?ID=658

JFYI

Dan O.

www.Appliance411.com/parts/?ref411=Amana+Fridge

The Appliance Information Site

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Yes it is an Amana, model #SCD23VBW Manufacturing #P1315305WW After doing some searching on the web I think I may have narrowed it down to a couple of things, but the one I'm focusing on is the defrost thermostat. My first sign of trouble was the unit was hot to the touch on the devider between the two doors. A week or so later the freezer stopped freezing and the next day the fridge stopped cooling. The lower half of each would get cold but the top would not. Last night I took the cover off the back of inside the freezer and the condenser fan never came on. I read that if the defrost thermostat was faulty that the fan wouldn't come on. I thought also that it may be the condenser fan. This is my first attempt at repairing a fridge and may have to give in and call a repair person. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for replying.

** I'm focusing on is the defrost thermostat. My first sign of trouble was the unit was hot to the touch on the divider between the two doors. **

Heat there should not have anything to do with the defrost system. It is more likely caused by a problem with the condenser fan (by the compressor) or the condenser itself plugged with dust and dirt, etc. When was the last time you *thoroughly* cleaned it?

** Last night I took the cover off the back of inside the freezer and the condenser fan never came on. **

The "condenser" is the hot part of a refrigeration system, usually outside the appliance. The fan inside the freezer compartment is the "evaporator fan". You can see common refrigerator part names at the following link:

LINK > http://www.appliance411.com/links/jump.cgi?ID=768

** I read that if the defrost thermostat was faulty that the fan wouldn't come on. **

On some Amana models, yes. I'm afraid I couldn't say whether that is the case with your particular model without seeing its wiring diagram.

- Amana SCD23VBW P1315305WW Defrost Limit Thermostat

LINK > http://www.appliance411.com/data.php?rc=992

** I thought also that it may be the [evaporator] fan [motor]. **

That may be a possibility too. Basically, if it was getting power it should be running. If it was getting power but NOT running, it would likely be defective and need to be replaced.

- Amana SCD23VBW Evaporator Fan Motor

LINK > http://www.appliance411.com/data.php?rc=1089

One way motors can fail is the motor coil being open (see the following link). That should be able to be tested for using a continuity tester or ohm meter.

- How do I test for continuity?

LINK > http://www.appliance411.com/links/jump.cgi?ID=817

JFYI

Dan O.

www.Appliance411.com/parts/?ref411=Amana+Fridge

The Appliance Information Site

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Ok, mistakenly called the evaporator fan the condenser fan. I cleaned around the condenser fan and under the fridge from the front and back. The light in the fridge comes on, the condenser fan runs, the compressor kicks on and is hot to the touch. It gets cold at the bottom of the fridge and freezer but is warm at the top. It will frost over the coils in the bottom of the freezer wall so I'm pretty sure the compressor is working but it's not circulating. So I'm not sure if it's the evaporator fan or if it's the defrost thermostat that won't let the evaporator fan kick on. Or again maybe I just don't know what I'm talking about LOL I'm going to check out the links in your last post. Thank you so much for responding.

Tracy

** I cleaned around the condenser fan and under the fridge from the front and back. **

Good. Is the mullion (between the two doors) still getting too hot?

** So I'm not sure if it's the evaporator fan or if it's the defrost thermostat that won't let the evaporator fan kick on. **

That will need at least some testing to figure out.

Let us know how you make out.

Dan O.

www.Appliance411.com/parts/?ref411=Amana+Fridge

The Appliance Information Site

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I tested the evaporator fan and it works. I'm going to pick up the defrost thermostat today and replace it. I'll post on whether it did the trick or not.