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Post by montoplover on Sept 16, 2019 12:42:48 GMT
Does anyone have any tips for troubleshooting a nonworking cabinet lamp? It used to work when I first got the fridge, but stopped working a few years ago. I don't remember anything about why it stopped working. I have swapped out bulbs, and removed and reinserted the main connector plug to the cabinet cord socket on the back of the fridge a few times—no dice. Wondering what the next steps would be? Is it more common for the wiring to fail? the light socket itself? Or maybe the door jamb switch (which still springs out normally when I open the door). Thanks in advance for any tips.
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Post by turbokinetic on Sept 16, 2019 14:02:31 GMT
I realize that GE used several different cabinet suppliers so there are surely variateions.... but, in my experience, most old fridge light problems are due to the switch failing to make contact. Either "perishable" materials such as cardboard or wood were used in the switch, causing things to warp and deform so the contacts no longer touch; or the contacts themselves have built up an oxide layer so they don't make contact.
I would start by investigating the switch, and go on from there. You may find that the wiring in the cabinet is bad, as well, where the insulation has been wet over the hears and rotted the wiring.
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zsuttle
5 Cubic Foot
Posts: 88
Location: Hampton Roads, Virginia
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Post by zsuttle on Sept 16, 2019 14:21:48 GMT
I'll second that, I'd unplug the connector, jump the pins on the cabinet with an alligator clip or something, and check for continuity in the socket with a multimeter. Wiring doesn't fail unless it's disturbed. (Unless it shorts out, in which case there's still continuity, just in the wrong places) With some of the old switches, it's possible to spray contact cleaner into the switch to clean it. Or, as a more drastic measure, I've found lacquer thinner to work as well, but you have to be careful with the switch. Submerging it can get the fluid into it, but that's more of a last ditch effort.
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Post by ckfan on Sept 16, 2019 19:47:39 GMT
I’ve found switches that are flaky before. Simply pushing it in and out rapidly can make the light come on for a second. That would be an easy way to tell if your issue might be the switch. I’ll second what everyone has already said. If it is the switch I would try to see if you can spray contact cleaner in it. You may have to remove it and take it apart before you can do that.
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