[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Berwin

We have also had problems with our GE refrigerator icemaker water line freezing up. Even our water filter in the refrigerator side was frozen. Milk at the rear of the fridge would freeze as well. I rearranged some items that seemed to be blocking the air flow and raised the temp of the freezer and fridge one notch and have not had a recurrence.

Fridge is about 12 years old and only recently had this problem.

Fridge is set for 38 and we do find stuff like tomatoes freezing from time to time.

Recently water line is freezing. Bought the tool and not freeing the obstruction. Do not see where we can shut off freezer alone so figure we will shut off on electrical box for 2-3 hours and leave freezer door open.

[ithos]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Fridge is about 12 years old and only recently had this problem.

Fridge is set for 38 and we do find stuff like tomatoes freezing from time to time.

Recently water line is freezing. Bought the tool and not freeing the obstruction. Do not see where we can shut off freezer alone so figure we will shut off on electrical box for 2-3 hours and leave freezer door open.

Do you have a digital display of the refrigerator and freezer temps? I would get digital thermometers with min and max. And then compare it to the refrigerator readings.

Here is what Whirlpool recommends:
How to Prevent Freezing Food in the Refrigerator | Whirlpool

[Jackha]

Raise the temperature setting, make sure the fan is working

[Wondering]

Originally Posted by ithos

The side by side Refrigerator was the original one for a Sumter home. The line freezes up routinely. To clear it out I have to keep the freezer door open for several hours. I use Styrofoam to keep products inside from thawing out.

I put in a thermometer that tracked the min and max temps and it gets as low as minus 17 degrees. There are two temperature sensors in the freezer section. I am considering replacing them.

GE parts diagram
Just a moment...

Just a moment...

Has anyone else had this issue and resolved it?

Do a search on You Tube.

[ithos]

Originally Posted by Wondering

Do a search on You Tube.

That was the first place looked after getting the manuals. Somehow I missed the syringe device.

[Shipping up to Boston]

Originally Posted by tralemaster

Use a 12” length of weed trimmer line. Push it up the water tube on the outside of the door were you fill your glass. Leave enough length of line out to pull and push it when needed. Next time it freezes up, pull and push line loose, then pull out, and run water by filling a glass. Reinsert the line for next time. This worked for me.

This is a design flaw well know for years with GE refrigerators.

Agree on GE models...
I spent a couple hundred on a tech visit and basically it was sludge in the line...an easy fix. The most consuming time was spent on a steamer melting ice that formed on the base of freezer. FYI...the recs I got from the Tech on these models....is 0 for the freezer and 30 on the fridge side

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by crash

Recommend temp is 10 degrees F so yes -17 crazy low.

I keep my freezer at 0 degrees and the refrigerator at 35. In my opinion, 10 degrees is too high, and barely cold enough to keep ice cream hard.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Shipping up to Boston

Agree on GE models...
I spent a couple hundred on a tech visit and basically it was sludge in the line...an easy fix. The most consuming time was spent on a steamer melting ice that formed on the base of freezer. FYI...the recs I got from the Tech on these models....is 0 for the freezer and 30 on the fridge side

30 degrees in the refrigerator is too cold. Your drinks, other liquids, and vegetables will freeze. 0 degrees is good for the freezer.

[Shipping up to Boston]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

30 degrees in the refrigerator is too cold. Your drinks, other liquids, and vegetables will freeze. 0 degrees is good for the freezer.

Correct
At least on these models...anything around 40 (fridge side) seems to accomplish the goal. IME

[G.R.I.T.S.]

We had a problem with the freezer not defrosting. Bad heater coil. Everything froze up like a frozen waterfall.

[congeno]

I had the same thing, different brand. I called a repair man who told me to try this: remover contents, turn off freezer for 48-72 hours, and turn it back on & make some ice. If the problem returns at any time call him back. He didn't want to charge me for what might be an easy fix. 3 years later no problems.
Thanks Bill for free advice.

[drrichard]

This is a long-known GE design problem-- so much so that many years ago GE designed and sells a small heating element that cures the problem for a few years-- until the "heater" burns out and needs to be replaced again. We have a 20 year old GE and are now on our third heater. Just had it replaced again ($83.20 for the heater plus $100 installation). Call Jeff Rapier at Jeff's Appliance Repair (Jeff worked for GE for many years)--502/909-6518. You'll be pleased at the "permanent" fix!!

[Shelby62]

Had this problem for years with GE fridge. Easy fix: simply cut an oblong piece of Styrofoam (approx 7"w x 10" h x 1/2" thick) and use double-sided tape to secure to the inside of the freezer door. See video below where the guy uses hot pads; we used Styrofoam instead. Worked like a charm. Water line has not frozen in years now. It insulates the door from the freezer and prevents water line from freezing.

Video (at 6:00 min mark):

https://youtu.be/HOtWqOJcX4E?si=KhywE3x7Fna_-NC7

Originally Posted by ithos

The side by side Refrigerator was the original one for a Sumter home. The line freezes up routinely. To clear it out I have to keep the freezer door open for several hours. I use Styrofoam to keep products inside from thawing out.

I put in a thermometer that tracked the min and max temps and it gets as low as minus 17 degrees. There are two temperature sensors in the freezer section. I am considering replacing them.

GE parts diagram
Just a moment...

Just a moment...

Has anyone else had this issue and resolved it?

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by congeno

I had the same thing, different brand. I called a repair man who told me to try this: remover contents, turn off freezer for 48-72 hours, and turn it back on & make some ice. If the problem returns at any time call him back. He didn't want to charge me for what might be an easy fix. 3 years later no problems.
Thanks Bill for free advice.

If my refrigerator acts up the first thing I do clean out back coils and fan, then defrost it. Even though it’s automatic defrost it sometimes build up when coils and fan dirty with lent and over heats. I also make sure the vents inside freezer not blocked. I have same GE aside by side. Right now the freezer temps -2 and fresh food side 35.

[ithos]

The primary issue was that the refrigerator sensor and the portable one I put inside the freezer can sometimes read 20 degs different when the evaporator fan runs. The actual temperature can get down to -12 degrees and the refrigerator will still read 8 degrees.

There is good air flow or the temperature would not get down that low. I have ensured that there is a good clearance between the supply and return grills.

I am going to check the temp sensor and replace it if it doesn't ohm out right. If necessary I will relocate it.

I will update once the experiment is done.