E23CS78ESS1 Electrolux Refrigerator - Instructions

Downloaded a schematic of the ice container. Disassembled the ice container, keeping track of which different type of screws went where. Followed the schematic to ensure proper sequence of blades and spacers. Manually rotated unit prior to installing into the freezer in case of binding. Finished.

Installed a new Defrost Thermostat.

Ordered new ribbon cable. At first I couldn't figure out how to get the wide end of the ribbon cable off, and I took the whole inner circuit board out - in fact, all it needed was more muscle, a straight pull out, no clips or anything holding it in other than friction. The narrow end attached to the control button board has two clips which pull towards you to loosen the ribbon. Easy install, worked perfectly

Before removing door, remove everything from on the door including the shelves, then close the door. Using a step ladder to access the top of the door, I removed the plastic hinge cover at the top of the refrigerator door using a Philips head screwdriver, remove the screw located at the back of the cover and slide the cover forward and up to remove. This will expose the two 3/8 machine screws that hold the top hinge bracket. Remove the screws using a socket or wrench. Then lift up on the hinge bracket from the top of the door to remove it. As long as the door is closed it will remain stable with little pressure to keep from falling. Then lift the entire door from the bottom hinge assembly and lay it across an arm chair or flat elevated surface so you can access the bottom door hinge bearing. You will see a bracket screwed to the bottom of the door with two 1/4 machine screws, it is the door stop bracket and this has the door hinge bearing inserted through it. My bearing was broke in half , the first piece fell out when I removed the door and the other piece was still inserted in the door. I removed one 1/4 screw from the stop bracket and loosened the other screw to allow the bracket to swing away from cavity that holds the bearing. Using needle nose pliers I remover the broken piece of the bearing. This part is nylon or plastic and can be cut into pieces if need be to remove it. Once removed, I cleaned the cavity, reinstalled the stop bracket assembly then inserted the new bearing. Gently align the door to the bottom bracket and set it in place, a second set of eyes may help. Once the door has been seated and in the closed position replace door bracket and the two 3/8 screws at the top of the door, check the alignment before you tighten. Check door operation! Then tighten the screws and replace the plastic cover by pressing down on the cover and sliding it back to align the Philips screw to be replaced .

PURCHASE:
Buy the terminator from the site because they sell the
terminator (thermostat) separately. Other places have it with the
wiring harness for more money. Changing it with the harness attached
is a very, very involved project. It includes removing the entire inner
liner of the freezer. The one the site sells requires only a simple
crimp splice and shrink tube.

TEST- If you have another freezer, ice or a friend's freezer available,
it is highly recommended that the new part be tested:
You will need an Ohm meter or a continuity tester. You can make one
very easily per instructions found on line.
TEST RESULTS-
a) At room temperature. An Ohm meter should show "Open".
b) After being in a freezer or submerged in ice water for at least an
hour, the Ohm meter should show "Closed".

I have installed hundreds of defrost thermostats. Very occasionally
one is defective. This project is a bit involved, so it is wise to pre-test.

HOW TO INSTALL THE DEFROST TERMINATOR (THERMOSTAT):
A) Prep
Remove Food & Be sure the freezer is warm.
Parts need to be pried upon & cold plastic breaks easily.
Tip: Put the screws in separate cups with labels. This will make
re-installing the many components easier.
Gather tools from the attached list.

B) Unplug Unit (Turning it off is not sufficient protection against shock.)

C) Remove Light Bulb (If it gets broken while working, glass may
get in the eyes.)

D) Remove Drawers (This is a bottom freezer unit with 2 drawers)
1) ) Upper Drawer:
a) Locate the 2 rectangular boxes covering the gears. They are
on each side, toward the rear of the drawer.
b) With a nylon spudger, push in the 2 clips on each box and
lift the boxes 1/4". They will stop at 1/4".
c) At the front of each track, remove 2 hex head screws with a
5/15" nut driver or a 1/4" flat bladed screwdriver.
d) Lift the front of the drawer a small amount while pulling drawer.
Lifting allows the 2 stops on the drawer to clear the track tabs.
e) When near the end of the drawer, lift the gear wheels slightly
to clear the track.
f) Put the drawer out of the way.

2) Lower Drawer With Front Door
*Leaving the door attached makes it easier to align the drawer when
reinstalling it later. It must be straight or the gasket will gap.
a) Put a thick towel on the floor, in front of the unit, so the door
can be laid upon in without scratching the handle or the floor.
b) Pull the drawer out and look at each track about 2/3 of the way
to the back of the freezer. You will see two long, white tabs.
c) Push a tab in while pulling the track slightly forward. Firm pulling
is required. Repeat on the other side.
d) Drag the towel and door out of the way

D) Remove the air grill at the top, rear of the freezer.
1) There is a clip in the center to push with a spudger.
It is easy to see in a photo of a replacement fan bracket.
2) On the right side, in the top row of square holes, is another clip
to press with a spudger while pulling that side of the grill out.
3) On the left, there is an air chute blocking the clip. It can not be
removed. With the right side pulled free, gently wiggle & pull the
left side until the clip clears & the grill is free to leave.

E) Remove the Ice Maker (Water does not have to be turned off)
1) Loosen, but do not remove, 2 screws above the ice mold.
2) Remove the one lower screw & put it aside.
3) Lift the ice maker & store it out of the way.
4) Do Not turn any wheels by hand, nor bend the bail wire.

F) Remove the Thermistor Cover (Upper Right Back Wall)
1) Gently squeeze the sides while pulling. Stop as soon as it's free.
2) Note how the thermistor & wires are installed in the cover &
thread the thermistor free.
3) Set the cover aside.

G) Remove The back Wall
1) Remove all visible hex head screws.
2) The back wall can now be removed.
3) Set it aside where it will not scratch any surfaces, as the edges
are a little sharp

H) De-Ice the evaporator with a heat gun or hair dryer.
Don't hold the heat source in one spot for long or wire insulation
or plastic components will be damaged.

I) Note the permanent ice ball in the upper-right corner.
The defrost thermostat is under this ball. Melt it with heat.

J) Install The New Thermostat
Hint- Take the thermostat to a hardware store to buy the
correct size shrink tube and crimp sleeves (butt connectors)

removed ice denspenser and replaced spring and flap'

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.

Removed the door marking the top hinge placement prior to removal. Pulled the door the rest of the way off. There wasn't anything keeping it attached on the bottom right side. Turned the door upright dug out the old broken cam and replaced it with a new one. Thank you for your web-site. It saved us $$$ you have gained two new fans to your web-site. I have shared your link with many. To to anyone who is having a popping noise when you open your door. Do panic. Log on to Part Select .com. It is your only source of sanity.

Thank you

Liz

Had to disassemble the entire ice maker bucket. Simple and straightforward, didn't need any pictures or reference materials. Just time consuming.

Unplugged refrigerator from the wall plug. Removed ice tray cover, removed ice container, lossen the two screws on the ice marker holding it to the back of the fridge, dropped the ice marker down and unplugged the electrical connection. Then removed the ice maker.
Took the new ice marker, plugged the electrical connection back into the back of the new ice marker, screwed the two screws back in where the ice marker goes and tighen the screws to told the ice marker in place.
Replaced the ice container, replaced the ice cover.
Plugged the fridge electrical cord back in to the wall socket.
Done.
It started making ice again in about 10 minutes.

Remove the old ice maker by loosening the screws and disconnect wire harness , next fit new ice maker in place connect wire harness and place new ice maker in place put screws in and tighten.

Followed video on your site. It was very helpful.
Thank you.

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. :)

Removed old water valve w/ screwdriver, cut threads off old hose (as they just plug straight into new valve) & pushed hoses into new water valve. Solved both problems!!!!

I emptied the door of food, removed the top hinge by removing two screws. I then lifted the door off the lower hinge. The teflon hinge was just sitting in the bottom bearing. I removed the broken one and replaced it with the new bearing hinge. I didn't need the door stop. I then put the door back on the bottom bearing hinge and returned the top hinge. After replacing the food, the job was done and the "catch" and noise were gone! Success!