We have a GE Monogram Refrigerator model ZFSB25DTG SS. Not sure how old it is, it came with the house and we moved in a few weeks ago.

The fridge initially wasn't getting below 45 degrees (set to 37) and the freezer was at about 5 (set to 0). After a few days I did some poking around and discovered a lot of ice completely clogging what I think are the evaporator coils at the bottom of the fridge (behind the fresh food drawers). There was also a small amount of ice built up on the back of the freezer, but I didn't dismantle anything in the freezer.

After unplugging the fridge and letting it defrost overnight the temperature was perfect (freezer and fridge) for nearly two weeks, but then jumped back up again, and of course the ice had returned. Defrosted it again (with a hair dryer this time) and it OK for now, but I obviously need a more permanent fix.

From what I've read it sounds like it's probably a problem with the defrost system, but I can't find any specific information for this model of fridge, so I'm not exactly sure how to proceed. Can anyone give me some direction?

Thanks,

Rob Wilson.

Edit:

Top freezer, bottom fridge (can't remove styrofoam due to ice, so can only see bottom two coils).

Fridge seems to be a lot more iced up than freezer if you can see all the white behind the two coils.

⟐ Answered November 07, 2024 at 13:44 MST

I read that the damper door can be seen through the vented window behind the ice maker. I removed the ice maker, removed the vent, and took the attached photo toward the fresh foods section. I assume the window in the photo is the actual damper door window.

Does the photo show the door open, or is the door just a dark color?

Also, if the problem is thermistors and not the damper, would the LED readout in the fridge report temperature accurately (meaning it has a separate sensor)? Or does the LED temperature display also get its information from the same thermistors, so it would report something above the set temp?

Thanks!

⟐ Answer edited January 23, 2026 at 15:08 MST

⟐ Commented January 09, 2025 at 23:41 MST

I've tried going through the parts manuals and diagrams, but can't figure it out. I mainly want to know if it's supposed to be dangling or should be mounted or plugged somewhere.

Any help would be appreciated.

⟐ Commented January 06, 2025 at 21:52 MST

I have realized that the evaporator fan does not operate consistently. It will operate properly sometimes and the freezer will drop to -10, other times it comes on and goes off within 2 seconds, not moving the cold air into the freezer compartment. I believe that is the issue. But, I don't know what controls the evaporator fan and sends a signal to turn on or off. Please help if you can.

⟐ Answer edited January 23, 2026 at 9:33 MST

We noticed the fridge was not cooling properly. The temperature was hovering around 40-41 even though it was set to 37. The freezer was cooling but not all the way to 0. We called a local appliance repair person and they replaced the temperature sensor and fan motor and defrosted it for $350. The next morning the freezer has melted and everything was warm. He came back out the next day and said the control board was the next step for $500. We ordered a control board online and replaced it ourselves after watching some you tube videos. It did not do anything different than what it was doing... Which is nothing

The light is on in the fridge and the evaporator fan is working when the door is shut.

We really don't want to pay a GE repairman 109$ for a service call and then parts and labor after diagnosis.

Any ideas what we could check?

⟐ Edited December 12, 2023 at 16:00 MST

The icemaker bucket is not dispensing ice through the door. I removed the bucket last night and allowed any build-up to melt. Re-installed this morning, with ice in the bucket, and when I press on the dispenser, I can hear the motor making noise, but nothing comes out. I am assuming that something is "frozen" between the motor and the shaft that drives the screw in the bucket. Any ideas?

The GE website says to hold the switch for a full minute, but seems like that might harm the motor.

⟐ Edited December 27, 2023 at 15:48 MST