A problem with a Brand refrigerator: ice forms, it makes a noise, and it stops cooling

The issues you are experiencing with your Brandt refrigerator (ice buildup, unusual noise, and poor cooling) indicate a failure in the No Frost defrost system. Since a specialist was unable to fix it, the fault may have been misdiagnosed.

Here is the translation of the causes and solutions provided:

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Possible Causes and Solutions

1. Clogged Drain Line (Canal d’évacuation bouché)

• The Cause: When ice melts during the defrost cycle, water must flow into the rear tray through a drain tube. If blocked, water freezes in the evaporator, obstructing airflow and cooling.
• The Solution:

  1. Unplug the refrigerator.
  2. Locate the drain hole at the bottom of the freezer compartment.
  3. Pour hot water into the hole to melt any ice blockage.
  4. Use a thin wire or compressed air to ensure the tube is completely clear.

2. Faulty Ventilation Fan (Ventilateur bloqué ou HS)

• The Cause: The fan distributes cold air. If it gets stuck due to ice buildup or suffers a mechanical failure, it will make noise and the fridge will stop cooling.
• The Solution:

  1. After defrosting the unit, turn it on and check if the fan spins when the door is closed.
  2. If it doesn’t spin, try moving it manually. If it remains stuck, it likely needs replacement.

3. Defective Defrost Heater (Résistance de dégivrage)

• The Cause: This heater melts ice periodically. If it fails, ice will accumulate continuously.
• The Solution:

  1. Test the heater using a multimeter (Ohms setting).
  2. If the circuit is broken, the part must be replaced by a specialist.

4. Damaged Temperature Sensor or Thermostat (Sonde HS)

• The Cause: If the sensor is faulty, the system won’t know when to trigger the defrost cycle, leading to excessive ice.
• The Solution:

  1. Replace the sensor (this is usually an inexpensive and straightforward fix).

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What Should You Do Now?

1. Manual Defrost: Manually defrost the unit and follow the steps above.
2. Monitor: If the problem returns after a few days, the issue is likely electrical (the heater, sensor, or timer/control board).
3. Professional Check: For a permanent fix, ask a technician to specifically measure the resistance (heater) and the sensor rather than just performing a manual defrost.

[!CAUTION] Important Advice: Never scrape ice with sharp tools (like knives) to avoid puncturing the cooling coils, which would cause a permanent refrigerant leak.