CFHT1713LZ1 Frigidaire Refrigerator - Instructions

You tube is my best friend for DIY repair. I supported the door with wood blocks, removed the bottom bracket and was able to slide the refrigerator door down and out without removing the freezer door. Replaced both hinge bearings and door stop and washer on bottom hinge and slid the door back into place. Door is very light when empty. Fast and easy, door opens and closes smoothly and no problem with condensation anymore.

Discovered the coil was covered with 1/2 inch of ice because defrost cycle had not been working. Replacing the defrost timer and melting ice with hair dryer fixed problem. Hooray!

After watching numerous YouTube videos I realized that my problem was either the timer or the thermostat. I purchased both for above $70 total and decided it was worth the gamble to self- repair it instead of buying a new refrigerator for $700 plus taxes and delivery charges. The videos were right on with excellent directions for replacing these 2 products. Only has one problem… the shrink wrap that came with the thermostat is very thick and will NOT shrink with a hairdryer. I hade to run to ACE Hardware to buy a heat gun and more shrink wrap

1. I took out one screw on the ice maker and loosened the other two screws and unplugged and removed the ice maker.
2. Next I took out 2 screws from the bottom of the auger drive box and unplugged the wiring harness and removed the box. The wiring harness was a little tricky. The lock on the plug pushes in to unlock even though it looks like it pulls out,.
3.next you must remove 2 screws from the left side bracket that holds the auger box and remove the bracket.
4.Now take out 8 screws that hold the back panel in place and remove the back panel.
5. now your looking at the evaporator fan blade and motor. The simple way to replace the fan blade is to unplug the motor and remove it from the freezer. It just sits in with nothing holding it. The fan requires a little pressure but should pull right off. Install new fan blade and put everything back in the same order it was removed.

Snapped the new rack right into place.

Unplug, remove 2 screws off back panel inside the freezer. Cut wires on old one and crimped in new one. Light to melt the shrink wrap that came with it. Pretty easy.

1.unpack box.
2. slide out of plastic bag.
3. open refirgheratior door.
4. slide in shelves.
5. fill with stuff.
6.figure out a way to reuse packing.

Simple repair and less than 30 minutes.
But the video you had was taken down which showed you need to wind the timer. I called and was promptly sent another video, thanks Ashley !

Unfortunately the second video did not mention that you have to wind the timer, like the first video did. Turn clockwise till you hear 2 clicks.

All good. 20 year old fridge chugging along.

The bulb has a plastic clear cover. That cover can just be carefully removed using a screwdriver. It's held in by a metal bracket. After you remove the cover. You'll just need to replace the bulb and then re-install the cover and bracket.

I watched the video on how to change the defrost thermostat. I removed the back cover inside the freezer then I pulled off the old defrost thermostat and then using a pair of wire cutters I cut it off and then bared a little of both of the wires and then slid the heat sherink and wire connectors on the existing wires and then slid the other ends of the wires into the wire connectors then crimped the ends of the connectors and then tried using heat on the heat shrinks but still used rubber electric tape over it. I clipped the new thermostat were the old one was and then reattached the freezer wall cover and plugged the refrigerator back in. 24 hours later I checked the temperature in the refrigerator and freezer and both are running a lot colder.

Part arrived in tack.
Removed original screws. Place bottom of handle on sideways then horizontal position.
Next slightly raised top of handle over bump protector. Took orginial screw and screwd Top of door handle into place. Really easy!

It just snaps in place, no biggie. What was a big deal was... that I ordered the part one day at like 2pm and got it the next day by about 2pm. That was very strange!!! Never expected that sort of delivery. Very nice!

The repair itself total time was quick and easy. Since the original fan blade blew apart, it was only a matter of putting the new one on in it's place. This can be done by feeding the blade between the cowling and Condenser coil and applying pressure to get it on the shaft.

If your fan is still on the shaft, simply push it off and extract it the same way. Then place the new one on the shaft.

In my case, since the part would take a couple days to get, and I had food both in the fridge and the freezer, I removed and unplugged the Condenser Fan Motor and the cowling frame and temporarily spliced a small fan I had into the line for the condenser motor. This kept the fridge working long enough to get the replacement part.

Side note. Direction of airflow is towards the Compressor, and draws air across the Condenser coils.

Hope this helps someone. :)

I started look inside ,disconnected power, and open all possible compartments to see any burned part. Fortunately I fined a small part look like melted and then i went online and make my research .Then i ordered that part and change it.

Just screw new one on again. All done, like new