5
Refrigerator Operation
Normal Operating Sounds
Your new refrigerator may make sounds that your old one
didn’t make. Because the sounds are new to you, you might be
concerned about them. Most of the new sounds are normal. Hard
surfaces, such as the floor, walls and cabinets, can make the
sounds seem louder. The following describes the kinds of sounds
and what may be making them.
If your refrigerator is equipped with an ice maker, you will hear
a buzzing sound when the water valve opens to fill the ice
maker for each cycle.
Your refrigerator is designed to run more efficiently to keep
your food items at the desired temperatures and to minimize
energy usage. The high efficiency compressor and fans may
cause your refrigerator to run longer than your old one. You
may also hear a pulsating or high-pitched sound from the
compressor or fans adjusting to optimize performance.
You may hear the evaporator fan motor circulating air through
the refrigerator and freezer compartments. The fan speed may
increase as you open the doors or add warm food.
Rattling noises may come from the flow of refrigerant, the
water line or items stored on top of the refrigerator.
Water dripping on the defrost heater during a defrost cycle
may cause a sizzling sound.
As each cycle ends, you may hear a gurgling sound due to the
refrigerant flowing in your refrigerator.
Contraction and expansion of the inside walls may cause a
popping noise.
You may hear air being forced over the condenser by the
condenser fan.
You may hear water running into the drain pan during the
defrost cycle.
You may hear a gurgling sound at the defrost drain after the
door is closed.
Ensuring Proper Air Circulation
In order to ensure proper temperatures, you need to permit airflow
between the refrigerator and freezer sections. As shown in the
illustration, cool air enters the freezer section through vents in the
rear and top. The air flows forward through the freezer section and
recirculates under the freezer floor. Cool air enters the refrigerator
section through the top, flows down and across shelves to the
doors and recirculates to return
air vents at the bottom.
Do not block any airflow vents. If
the vents are blocked, airflow will
be obstructed and temperature
and moisture problems may
occur.
IMPORTANT
: Because air
circulates between both sections,
any odors formed in one section
will transfer to the other. You
must thoroughly clean both
sections to eliminate odors. To
avoid odor transfer and drying
out of food, wrap or cover foods
tightly.
Setting the Controls
The control panel is located inside the refrigerator compartment
on the ceiling.
IMPORTANT
:
The refrigerator control adjusts the refrigerator compartment
temperature. The freezer control adjusts the freezer
compartment temperature.
Wait 24 hours after you turn on the refrigerator before you put
food into it. If you add food before the refrigerator has cooled
completely, your food may spoil.
NOTE
: Adjusting the refrigerator and freezer controls to a
lower (colder) setting will not cool the compartments any
faster.
If the temperature is too warm or too cold in the refrigerator
or freezer, first check the air vents to be sure they are not
blocked before adjusting the controls.
The preset settings should be correct for normal household
usage. The controls are set correctly when milk or juice is as
cold as you like and when ice cream is firm.
The actual temperature may differ from the display when a
door is open for an extended period of time.
NOTE
: The factory recommended settings are 0°F (-18°C) for
the freezer and 37°F (3°C) for the refrigerator.
Turning the Refrigerator On or Off
Press and hold the
POWER ON/OFF
key for 2 seconds.
When the refrigerator comes on, the freezer and refrigerator
temperature displays will light.
To turn the refrigerator off, press and hold the
POWER
ON/OFF
key for 2 seconds. The freezer and refrigerator
temperature displays will go dark when the refrigerator is off.
NOTE
: After the refrigerator is turned on, the
Over
Temperature Audio Alarm
and indicator light will activate
every 1½ hours until the refrigerator and freezer temperatures
are below 48°F (9°C) and 15°F (-9°C), respectively, or until the
alarm is turned off. To turn off the audio alarm and indicator
light, see
Master Alarm Reset
on page 7.
The
Power ON/OFF
key on the control panel shuts down the
cooling, lighting, fans and compressors as well as the control
panel lights. To turn the power off completely, use the main
power switch located behind the top grille. See
Turning the
Main Power Switch ON/OFF
on page 3.
Over temperature
indicator light
