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GE Appliances & Lighting

General Electric Company

Louisville, Kentucky 40225

31-9237

Top Freezer Refrigerator

GE Appliances & Lighting

HPS15BTHR
HPE15BTH
GTS15CTHR
GTE15CTHR
GPE16DTH
GIE16DGH
GTE16DTH  
GTS16DTH
GTS16GTH
GTE16GTH
GTE16GSH
GTS16GSH
GIE16GSH

Technical Service Guide

November 2014

HPS18BTH
GIE18HGH
GIE18HSH
GIE18GCH
GIE18GSH
GTE18LGH
GTE18LSH
GTE18LMH
GTE18GSH
GTE18GMH
GTE18GTH
GTE18CTH
GTS18GSH
GTS18GTH

Summary of Contents for ENERGY STAR GTE16DTH

Page 1: ... GE Appliances Lighting HPS15BTHR HPE15BTH GTS15CTHR GTE15CTHR GPE16DTH GIE16DGH GTE16DTH GTS16DTH GTS16GTH GTE16GTH GTE16GSH GTS16GSH GIE16GSH Technical Service Guide November 2014 HPS18BTH GIE18HGH GIE18HSH GIE18GCH GIE18GSH GTE18LGH GTE18LSH GTE18LMH GTE18GSH GTE18GMH GTE18GTH GTE18CTH GTS18GSH GTS18GTH ...

Page 2: ... avoid personal injury disconnect power before servicing this product If electrical power is required for diagnosis or test purposes disconnect the power immediately after performing the necessary checks RECONNECT ALL GROUNDING DEVICES If grounding wires screws straps clips nuts or washers used to complete a path to ground are removed for service they must be returned to their original position an...

Page 3: ...Control Panel 19 Fresh Food Compartment Air Ducts and Drain Tube 20 Control Panel 21 Cold Control 22 Electro Mechanical Defrost Control 24 Defrost Controls 25 Defrost Control Operations 26 Adaptive Defrost 27 Electronic Defrost Control EDC 28 EDC Process Flow Chart 29 EDC Cooling 30 EDC Defrost 31 EDC Dwell 32 Freezer Components 33 Ice Maker Troubleshooting Chart 35 Freezer Components 36 Evaporato...

Page 4: ...orator 51 DPO Evaporator LokRing Installation 52 Sealed System Heat Exchanger 55 Sealed System Compressor 56 Sealed System Condenser 57 Sealed System Dryer 58 Sealed System Brazed Joints 59 Top Mount Electronic Defrost 60 Top Mount Electronic Defrost 61 Top Mount Mechanical Timer 62 Top Mount Mechanical Timer 63 Warranty 64 ...

Page 5: ... Prescription Safety Glasses Safety Glasses must be ANSI Z87 1 2003 compliant Brazing Glasses Cut Resistant Sleeve s Prior to disassembly of the top freezer refrigerator to access components GE Factory Service technicians are REQUIRED to follow the Lockout Tagout LOTO 6 Step Process Step 1 Plan and Prepare Step 4 Apply LOTO device and lock Step 2 Shut down the appliance Step 5 Control discharge st...

Page 6: ...er Newly designed condenser moved from bottom of fridge to rear behind access cover Front serviceable Cold Control Defrost Control and Freezer components Omega groove door liners for ease of replacing and adjusting door gaskets Durable high gloss ABS liners helps prevent cracking Galvanized doors for improved corrosion resistance Heavy duty door hinge and handle system Improved low friction pan sl...

Page 7: ...e breaks down and explains what the letters and numbers mean in the model number The first two characters of the serial number identify the month and year of manufacture The letter designating the year repeats every 12 years Example LA123456S June 2013 The Model Serial ID Tag is located inside the fresh food compartment in the left hand corner The Mini Manual is taped to the machine compartment co...

Page 8: ...L SPECIFICATIONS Cold Control Position 5 28 0 F Defrost Control 120 VAC 60 Hz 15 hrs 33 min Defrost Thermostat 64 23 F Electrical Rating 120 VAC AC 60Hz Maximum Current Leakage 0 75 mA Maximum Ground Path Resistance 0 14 Ohms NO LOAD PERFORMANCE Control Position 5 C and Ambient Temperature of 70 F 90 F Fresh Food F C 33 39 33 41 Frozen Food F C 4 2 4 4 Run Time 23 33 37 49 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM Ref...

Page 9: ...n it assume any ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS Cold Control Position 5 28 0 F Defrost Control 120 VAC 60Hz Adaptive Defrost Defrost Thermostat 64 23 F Electrical Rating 120 VAC AC 60Hz Maximum Current Leakage 0 75 mA Maximum Ground Path Resistance 0 14 Ohms NO LOAD PERFORMANCE Control Position 5 C and Ambient Temperature of 70 F 90 F Fresh Food F C 33 39 33 41 Frozen Food F C 4 2 4 4 Run Time 23 33 37 ...

Page 10: ... F 4 5 11 6 C Defrost Control 15 hrs 33 min Defrost Thermostat 64 23 F 17 8 5 0 C Electrical Rating 110V to 127V AC 60Hz 100V AC 50 Hz 6 5 Amp Maximum Current Leakage 0 75 mA Maximum Ground Path Resistance 0 14 Ohms NO LOAD PERFORMANCE Control Position Colder Temperature of 70 F 21 C 90 F 32 C Fresh Food F C 34 40 1 1 4 4 35 39 1 7 3 9 Frozen Food F C 3 19 4 3 19 4 Running Time 20 30 41 53 REFRIGE...

Page 11: ...frost Control 115V 60 Hz Adaptive Defrost Defrost Thermostat 64 23 F 17 8 5 0 C Electrical Rating 110V to 127V AC 60Hz 100V AC 50 Hz 6 5 Amp Maximum Current Leakage 0 75 mA Maximum Ground Path Resistance 0 14 Ohms NO LOAD PERFORMANCE Control Position Colder and Ambient Temperature of 70 F 21 C 90 F 32 C Fresh Food F C 33 39 1 4 33 41 2 4 Frozen Food F C 4 2 4 4 20 17 20 16 Run Time 23 33 37 49 REF...

Page 12: ...45D1691P001 18 28 Wide EDC Pub No 31 51875 4 1875D 245D1627P002 15 16 28 Wide Mechanical Timer Pub No 31 51874 5 245D1627P001 15 16 28 Wide EDC Use Care Manuals available on website Pub No 49 60697 3 245D1573P001 15 16 18 Cu Ft and 28 Top Freezer Use Care Manuals and Mini Manuals Refrigeration and Airflow Diagram ...

Page 13: ...tton on the door front 10 Move the plug buttons on the top and front of the door to the opposite side of the door 11 Transfer the door stop on the bottom of the door 12 Attach the handle to the fresh food door with screws at top of the handle Use 1 8 in Allen wrench to tighten set screw at bottom of handle 13 Attach handle to the freezer door with screws at bottom of the handle Use the 1 8 in Alle...

Page 14: ... of the handle 13 Attach badge on freezer door opposite of the handle TO RE HANG THE DOORS 1 Remove the hinge pin from the lower hinge bracket 2 Remove the lower hinge bracket 3 Install the bottom hinge bracket on the opposite side of the opening 4 Install the lower hinge pin into the hinge bracket hole to the outside of the refrigerator 5 Remove the center hinge bracket 6 Install the center hinge...

Page 15: ...s close This is due to pressure equalizing within the refrigerator There may be cracking or popping sounds when the refrigerator is first plugged in This happens as the refrigerator cools to the correct temperature The compressor may cause a clicking or chirping sound when attempting to restart this could take up to 5 minutes Expansion and contraction of cooling coils during and after defrost can ...

Page 16: ...all food from the inner door liner 2 Remove two T20 Torx screws and the top hinge from the cabinet 3 Open the door and lift it off the center hinge pin Fresh Food Door and Hinges Door Removal 1 Remove all food items from the door s Note Do not lose washers on the center hinge pin and lower hinge pin These washers are needed for proper door adjustment 2 Using a 3 8 hex head driver or a 2 Phillips s...

Page 17: ...es a 1 8 in Allen wrench to fasten the handles to the doors where the plastic handles are slotted and fastened to a stud on both doors NOTE The Pocket Handles are foamed in with the doors and are not replaceable If a handle is needed the door would need to be replaced Door Gasket Removal and Replacement Both the freezer and fresh food door gaskets are held in place by the inner door panel 1 Pull t...

Page 18: ... Wheel assembly Turn CCW to remove or raise the refrigerator and turn CW to re assemble or adjust Base Pan The Base Pan is the foundation for the machine compartment and adds structural strength and stability to the refrigerator cabinet It also adds mobility and is used for water evaporation The base pan supports the following components Compressor Condenser Condenser support Condenser fan assembl...

Page 19: ...is designed as a conduit that supplies air to the refrigerator section and returns the air to the freezer section In the rear of the control panel the water from the evaporator is drained through the control panels drain trough which is connected to the drain outlet hose located at the rear of the fresh food section The control panel houses the following parts Cold control EDC board Defrost contro...

Page 20: ...o be directed from the freezer to the fresh food section and back to the freezer through the return The return also is used for removing water after a defrost cycle which drains into the control panel drain trough and out of the drain tube outlet The retaining clips also help secure the control panel to the ceiling of the fresh food section Fresh Food Compartment Air Ducts and Drain Tube ...

Page 21: ...the Fresh Food door is open the Door Switch closes and sends 120 VAC through the red wire to the Fresh Food 40W Lamp The Door Switch operation is the same in the EDC models as it is in the Timer models with one difference the EDC model the Door Switch provides door opening feedback to the control See the Adaptive Defrost section in this Guide for more information Control Panel Light Socket Light S...

Page 22: ...actuates the linkage which allows the contacts to close When the temperature drops the bellows contract due to a decrease in pressure and the snap action of the linkage opens the contacts When the control shaft is rotated to the off setting the cam manually presses the linkage against the contacts and holds them open The temperature control is connected electrically in series with the compressor W...

Page 23: ...he capillary from the sleeve NOTE When reinstalling the Cold Control reconnect the ground wire and fully insert the Cold Control capillary into the sleeve The Cold Control switches 120 VAC from the brown wire to the grey to the Defrost Control 120 VAC is supplied to the Cold Control from L1 to CC terminal when the K2 relay located on the EDC board is in the compressor run position On electromechan...

Page 24: ...r at one end of the control housing The purpose of the defrost control is to regulate the frequency of the defrost cycles and the duration of each cycle This is accomplished by energizing the clock motor to drive a set of gears that in turn rotate the cam which operates the switch The defrost cycle begins when the cam has rotated to the position where a mark on the cam aligns with a mark on the co...

Page 25: ...nal 2 blue 120 VAC to defrost cycle Terminal 3 brown 120 VAC to timer from cold control Terminal 4 black 120 VAC cooling cycle operation Defrost Controls Electronic Defrost Control EDC Board Removal 1 Remove the control panel see the Control Panel Removal section in this Guide 2 Disconnect the control panel wire harness 3 Remove the two push pins 4 Remove the cover and flip the control over 5 Disc...

Page 26: ...perations Electro mechanical defrost control function during the cooling mode Defrost Control Operations EDC board function during defrost mode Electro mechanical defrost control during defrost mode EDC board function during cooling mode ...

Page 27: ... compressor run time and door openings These models still incorporate a conventional cold control for compressor operation Adaptive defrost means defrosting based on the compressor run time along with door open times instead of defrosting after a set time which is what mechanical timer models do This provides energy benefits In normal operating condition the board simply provides power to the cold...

Page 28: ...he actual amount of time the compressor has been running since the last defrost cycle The MULTIPLICATION FACTOR of 286 seconds is used to compute an equivalent compressor run time for each time the refrigerator Fresh Food door door is open For example with a multiplication factor of 286 and a door open 10 times for one second each time 2860 seconds of equivalent compressor run time is noted 286 X ...

Page 29: ... this non adaptive defrost period only the compressor run time will be monitored The door open times will have no bearing on when the next defrost cycle will occur The refrigerator will operate just like a conventional defrost system for a fixed 12 hour period If the next defrost is a normal defrost heaters off in less than 25 minutes the electronic control will allow the refrigerator to return to...

Page 30: ...The EDC board is summing the compressor run time by monitoring the compressor voltage at pin CR Freezer door monitoring is not used on these models since there are no lights in the freezer NOTE The 286 seconds of accumulated time per fresh food door opening takes in account for the lack of a freezer door switch ...

Page 31: ...e the defrost termination is monitored through the DT terminal to determine when the defrost thermostat opens If less than 25 minutes of defrost heater run time the control will immediately enter the dwell state If the defrost thermostat does not open during the prescribed 25 minutes or less defrost will be terminated by time max 40 minutes and the dwell state will be bypassed ...

Page 32: ... Dwell During the 15 minute dwell time the K2 relay continues to keep the compressor off When the defrost thermostat opens the dwell time timer is activated Except when the defrost heater on time exceeds 25 minutes ...

Page 33: ...e in the on position and the rake must be in the home position Safely pull the ice maker rake in a CW direction until a click is heard then release and remove hand and the ice maker will cycle The Electro Mechanical Ice Maker is a single fill ice maker and is cycled at approximately 15 F by a thermostat attached to the mold body The ice maker will harvest 7 cubes at an average cycle time between 7...

Page 34: ...re does not rise a third and final time a fill of 2 4 seconds will be initiated First Fill 5 1 sec Second Fill 2 5 sec Third Fill 2 4 sec Average cycle time 75 90 minutes For more information about the Electronic Ice Maker refer to Technical Service Guide 31 9063 Service Diagnostics for Electronic Ice Maker During the first 15 seconds that power is first applied to the icemaker the Service Diagnos...

Page 35: ...5 Ice Maker Troubleshooting Chart For more information about the Electronic Icemaker refer to Technical Service Guide 31 9063 NOTE Only the feeler arm stripper and fill cup are servicable on the ice maker ...

Page 36: ...ightly pull down for the air tower tabs to clear the evaporator cover 4 Remove the air baffle from the air duct The air baffle controls air distribution to the fresh food section The air baffle is non adjustable and must be placed back in the supply duct or cooling issues will occur Evaporator Cover Removal 1 Remove the two 1 4 in hex head screws 2 From the fan orifice pull the evaporator cover ou...

Page 37: ...cy To check the evaporator AC DC fan motor carefully check for 120 VAC at the fan motor connector If 120 VAC is present at the connector and the fan is not operating replace the fan motor Rubber grommets or isolators that are used to mount the fan motor must be in position not only to insure quiet motor operation but also to properly center the blade in the orifice Likewise the mounting screws mus...

Page 38: ...the two 5 16 in hex head screws 7 Unplug the evaporator fan connector NOTE When reinstalling the evaporator fan motor and fan blade make sure the ground wire fan grommets and evaporator fan motor connector are back in place and firmly connected It is extremely important to place the evaporator fan blade at the prescribed depth Failure to do so could cause increased noise affect air flow and result...

Page 39: ...ing loaded switch blade pushes the transfer pin out of the way and closes the contacts Defrost Thermostat Removal 1 Disconnect power to the refrigerator 2 Remove freezer shelving 3 Remove the ice maker if one is installed see Ice Maker Removal section in this Guide 4 Remove the air tower see Air Tower Removal section in this Guide 5 Remove the evaporator cover see Evaporator Cover Removal section ...

Page 40: ...ost heater can be checked with a volt ohm meter at the EDC board or electro mechanical defrost control depending on the model If an open circuit is detected isolation of the defrost heater will be needed to verify that the defrost heater is faulty Use the schematic for proper check points and component values Continued next page 5 Amp Inline Fuse The 5 Amp Fuse opens the line 120 VAC side of the d...

Page 41: ...frost heater holder After the defrost heater is reinstalled make sure the defrost heater holder is back in place 8 Carefully bend the aluminum tabs back located at each end of the of the defrost heater and lower the heater out of the evaporator Defrost Drain Pan The defrost drain pan collects melting ice during the defrost cycle and funnels water to the drain trough in the fresh food section where...

Page 42: ... 42 Defrost Circuit Defrost Circuit Timer Models Defrost Circuit EDC Models ...

Page 43: ...ondenser fan motor are energized simultaneously The condenser fan motor is a AC DC motor the motor converts AC voltage to DC voltage The purpose of using this motor is for energy efficiency To check the condenser fan motor safely check for 120 VAC at the fan motor connector BK OR If 120 VAC is present at connector BK OR and the fan is not operating replace the fan motor Resistance cannot be checke...

Page 44: ... one 1 4 in hex head screw from the condenser fan assembly 5 Remove the two 1 4 in hex head screws from the rear baffle 6 Unplug the machine compartment connector 7 Release the plastic fastener from the baffle condenser fan motor wire 8 Remove the fan blade 9 Unplug the condenser fan motor connector 10 Grasp the upper corner of the condenser fan assembly and move toward the compressor to allow the...

Page 45: ...verload made together and contained in one housing NOTE The capacitor is plugged to the combo device but is a separate part and must be ordered separately if needed The capacitor will be covered in this section Solid State Relay Most refrigerators use a PTC A PTC is a Positive Temperature Coefficient Resistor Relay This means that as temperature increases the resistance decreases It is simply a se...

Page 46: ...pacitor plugs into the combo device and the same disassembly and safety procedures apply ALWAYS DISCONECT POWER Run capacitors are used with single phase compressor motors to increase the running efficiency The run capacitor is connected in parallel with the PTC and is shunted while the PTC cycling control closes for starting but is utilized along with the start winding after the relay contacts op...

Page 47: ...partment wire harness will come with canoe fasteners attached to harness IMPORTANT When reinstalling the wire harness back to the refrigerator make sure that all of the ground wires protective sleeve and electrical components are securely fastened Checking Combo Device and Compressor Carefully check the orange and black wires for 120 VAC at the compressor combo device If power is present at black ...

Page 48: ...tor if open or shorted The compressor will start and run without the run capacitor being in the circuit but will not run as efficiently Checking Compressor Electrically 1 Disconnect power to the refrigerator 2 Remove combo device from the compressor 3 Place meter on the ohm s scale 4 Take the following three readings see wiring diagram for compressor resistance values Between Run and Start Between...

Page 49: ...ch the hose from the R 134a charging cylinder to the process tube port on the compressor 2 Evacuate the system to a minimum 20 in vacuum using the refrigerator compressor and recovery pump which is attached to the new drier assembly 3 Turn off the recovery pump Close the ball valve on the hose connected to the high pressure side port connection Add 3 ounces of R 134a refrigerant to the system Let ...

Page 50: ...azing Method Caution If unbrazing the evaporator HEAT SHIELD P N WR49X10025 must be used to prevent damage to freezer liner Add thermal paste WX5X8927 to the exposed Liner or any item that heat from a torch may come in contact with Protect wiring from heat during unbrazing and re brazing 12 Cut the suction line off of the evaporator see image below 13 Cut the capillary tube section off see image b...

Page 51: ...ection in this Guide 10 Disconnect the ground wire from the evaporator and position all wiring to allow for evaporator removal 11 Loosen the two 1 4 in hex head screws from the evaporator support CAUTION Tubing must be clean and free from burrs when using LOKRING NOTE LOKRING connector P N WR97X10021 must be used Two LOKRING connectors are required 12 Replace the evaporator using the LOKRING metho...

Page 52: ...ment 3 Recover the refrigerant from the inoperative sealed system using approved recovery equipment 4 Remove the shelves and ice trays or icemaker if used from the freezer compartment while the refrigerant is being recovered 5 Remove the evaporator cover Remove the screws from the base of the air tower remove the air tower and foam nozzle Remove screws from the upper left and right of evaporator c...

Page 53: ...m entering the evaporator and aluminum tubes 14 Deburr the tubing ends see previous illustration to remove any residue left from the tubing cutters using ScotchBrite or fine emery cloth Care should be taken to prevent residue from entering the cut tubing ends which could contaminate the system 15 Apply a few drops of LokPrep a specially formulated anaerobic sealant that fills in any surface scratc...

Page 54: ...rod heater 19 Remount the evaporator fan with mounting screws Reattach all wires to the fan Replace the freezer floor and evaporator cover using the original mounting screws 20 Install the new foam nozzle and air tower 21 Reinstall the shelves and ice trays or icemaker if used in the freezer compartment 22 Install a drier in accordance with instructions included with the replacement drier 23 NOTE ...

Page 55: ...heat exchange occurs where the capillary is soldered to the outside of the suction tube This arrangement improves the efficiency of the system By reducing the heat of the capillary the boiling point of the liquid entering the evaporator is lowered Increasing the heat of the suction tube increases the density of the vapor entering the compressor and also helps to prevent the suction tube from sweat...

Page 56: ...d to glass sealed terminals that extend through the compressor case The terminals are clustered in a triangle pyramid pattern and reading from left to right are identified Start Common and Run Replacing the Compressor 1 Disconnect power to the refrigerator 2 Remove the four 1 4 in hex head screws from the rear access cover 3 Recover the refrigerant 4 Remove the combo device retainer see Combo Devi...

Page 57: ...le See Service Guide 31 9067 for additional Lokring information 10 Remove the condenser The condenser support is the platform that the condenser sits on and is secured to the base plate by the condenser fastening strap There are two types of condensers one for Estar and one for Non Estar Energy star has 8 condenser tubing passes Non Energy star has 6 condenser tubing passes When replacing the cond...

Page 58: ...d system repairs Replacing Dryer 1 Disconnect power to the refrigerator 2 Remove the five 1 4 in hex head screws from the rear access cover 3 Recover refrigerant 4 Cut the hot gas line section of the drier out using tubing cutters 5 Using a file or cap tube cutters WX05X10050 score the cap tube and bend tubing until the cap tube separates NOTE Make sure that the cap tube ID is free from obstructio...

Page 59: ...er 33 Compressor Discharge port I D 0 194 Condenser O D 0 188 Copper Steele 122 EVAP 0 321 Tube jumper cap O D 0 312 Copper Copper 123 EVAP 0 321 Tube jumper Suc O D 0 312 Copper Copper 124 Tube Jumper Suc I D 0 317 Suction tube O D 0 312 Copper Copper 125 Tube Jumper cap I D 0 082 Tube cap O D 0 076 Copper Copper 289 Suction Jumper I D 0 319 Suction tube O D 0 312 Copper Copper 290 Compressor Pro...

Page 60: ... 60 Top Mount Electronic Defrost ...

Page 61: ... 61 Top Mount Electronic Defrost ...

Page 62: ... 62 Top Mount Mechanical Timer ...

Page 63: ... 63 Top Mount Mechanical Timer ...

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