Miele KFN 29132 – very strange problem, please help as driving me insane!

[dlc1982]

Hi there, hoping someone might be able to help me and stop me from throwing my quite expensive fridge/freezer off our balcony.

We have had a Miele KFN 29132 since 2019, it has been fine until recently when the fridge just stopped cooling a bit, and then totally. I initially thought the freezer was ok, and it sort of is, but it too is clearly not at the fullest extent of its power.

I have tried twice already turning it off for 12 hours+ and then back on again, and it worked for a while both times, but it’s now broken a third time, and I think even when it was working it wasn’t cooling down to the temperature I had it set on.

What’s weird about the issue is that the temperature display for both the fridge and the freezer says it’s fine (3 degrees for the fridge, -26 for the freezer), whereas in the past when it once malfunctioned in a similar way the gauge was reflecting that, and so I knew it was working again when it got back down to 3. With this issue when it first starts you’re sort of going on instinct, because your water isn’t quite as cold as it should be, if that makes sense, rather than because the display is telling you.

Anyway I’m rambling, but I’m wondering why the display is ‘measuring’ the temperature at 3 degrees when it’s obviously not cooling at all, and also of course what the hell I can do to fix this. If the answer is get a technician out then I’ll do that, but I want to be sure before I spend the money – I am open to trying fixes myself but am generally about as a handy as a blind ballet dancer.

Please help! Thanks

[electrofix]

you say you turn ot off for 12 hours plus but dont say how long the plus is

the normal way is plug out, door open , 2 days. that way all the heavy ice has time to melt. ifr its not long enough it wont clear completely

the fridge gets its cold from the frezer via a duct. there are 2 ducts and both have to be clear of ice for it to work

if its frosting up it could be
door seal problem , defrost heater failed or a blocked drain duct in the freezer

also this fridge is made by Leibherr who make all Miele refrigeration as far as i know

Dave

[Tony R]

Electrofix is almost correct, a heavy accumulation of ice on the freezer coil is likely to be your issue, if the freezer sensor notes it is not at the correct temperature the control circuit will shut off the refrigeration via the solenoid valve to the fridge until the freezer gets to temperature. If it cannot due to the ice build up then the fridge can get to room temperature.
Remove the drawers and inspect for any excess frosting on the freezer rear wall panel, place the frozen food in another freezer and unplug the unit for 2 days, after this remove the single fixing screw at the bottom centre of the panel and you should then be able to pull off this panel from the bottom up.
Clear any left over ice on the now visible coil with a hair dryer on medium heat, ensure the melt water flows down the drain hole, add boiling water via a cup to clear any ice in the drain if required.
When you refit the rear panel make sure the fan guard clips behind a small plastic ridge at the top, main reason for excess ice build up is drain blockage or most likely the freezer door was left slightly ajar, if slammed shut too firmly it can bounce open enough to allow air to enter but not open wide enough for the door open alarm to sound if fitted.

[dlc1982]

Thank you both so much, I will give this is a try and report back – genuinely touched you took the time to try and help and fingers crossed.

[electrofix]

Tony R wrote:Electrofix is almost correct, a heavy accumulation of ice on the freezer coil is likely to be your issue, if the freezer sensor notes it is not at the correct temperature the control circuit will shut off the refrigeration via the solenoid valve to the fridge until the freezer gets to temperature. If it cannot due to the ice build up then the fridge can get to room temperature.
Remove the drawers and inspect for any excess frosting on the freezer rear wall panel, place the frozen food in another freezer and unplug the unit for 2 days, after this remove the single fixing screw at the bottom centre of the panel and you should then be able to pull off this panel from the bottom up.
Clear any left over ice on the now visible coil with a hair dryer on medium heat, ensure the melt water flows down the drain hole, add boiling water via a cup to clear any ice in the drain if required.
When you refit the rear panel make sure the fan guard clips behind a small plastic ridge at the top, main reason for excess ice build up is drain blockage or most likely the freezer door was left slightly ajar, if slammed shut too firmly it can bounce open enough to allow air to enter but not open wide enough for the door open alarm to sound if fitted.

Thanks Tony always appreciate your input

Dave

[Author]

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