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fredalfred
17-01-2008, 02:17 PM
I previously posted problem of Hotpoint FF200E Fridge Freezer I purchased August 2007, product developed a problem in October with the fridge getting warm and the freezer getting to cold, service engineer came out, removed a panel and cleared fridge duct of ice blockage with a hair dryer and suggested we turn off the fridge freezer for a few hours every few weeks to avoid ice build up. Now have the same problem again and waiting a service engineer again under warranty. Have requested replacement product of a different model from Hotpoint, Hotpoint tell me I can have a replacement if the engineer can not repair the problem. Problem is the engineer may simply remove the panel use the hair dryer and claim the fridge freezer is repaired and working again, 3 months later I will no doubt have the same problem if thats the case. I think the FF200E has a basic problem with the technology having seen other postings on the web complaining of the same fault, can anyone suggest a good replacement Hotpoint product and advise on potential problem of service engineer insisting the fridge freezer is repaired and working ok,

Brian_UK
17-01-2008, 10:02 PM
Can't help on the fridge problem I'm afraid but try approaching the manufacturer with a claim "That the product is not of merchantable quality."

In other words, it is not capable of doing what they claimed it would do.

paul_h
18-01-2008, 12:26 AM
Get a different tech to look at it. There's obviously something wrong with the defrost circuit, drain or insulation.
If the tech comes out and does not diagnose a fault which needs repairing, then hotpoint will replace the fridge I guess, because they said they would replace if the tech can't repair it.

fredalfred
18-01-2008, 03:38 PM
Service engineer arrived and removed the ice blockage but also carried out a simple modification that involved relocating the defrost heating element to a lower position that prevents the icing.
The engineer was great and took the trouble to go through the cause and corrective action and gave me confidence the modification was in fact a permanent cure, explains why Hotpoint are still marketing the product but would have made more sense if Hotpoint had been more proactive and contacted customers and carried out the modification prior to the fault being visible.

j203
25-06-2008, 01:15 PM
We had the exact same problem but we got a specialist and all it was, was the defrost sensor that was not working propley it is rediculas!!!

I previously posted problem of Hotpoint FF200E Fridge Freezer I purchased August 2007, product developed a problem in October with the fridge getting warm and the freezer getting to cold, service engineer came out, removed a panel and cleared fridge duct of ice blockage with a hair dryer and suggested we turn off the fridge freezer for a few hours every few weeks to avoid ice build up. Now have the same problem again and waiting a service engineer again under warranty. Have requested replacement product of a different model from Hotpoint, Hotpoint tell me I can have a replacement if the engineer can not repair the problem. Problem is the engineer may simply remove the panel use the hair dryer and claim the fridge freezer is repaired and working again, 3 months later I will no doubt have the same problem if thats the case. I think the FF200E has a basic problem with the technology having seen other postings on the web complaining of the same fault, can anyone suggest a good replacement Hotpoint product and advise on potential problem of service engineer insisting the fridge freezer is repaired and working ok,

j203
27-06-2008, 12:06 PM
Dear users,

I thought Hotpoint was a well known and reputable home brand, so why is it so hard and frustrating to find a solution to the problem to my fridge/freezer?

Wanting to upgrade to a bigger/better appliance, I choose Hotpoint for their reliability and reputation, I choose the model (FF200EG)

WHAT A MISTAKE THAT WAS!!!

The purchase was made in October 07 and I first noticed a problem in November.
My fridge was warm! I telephoned customer services and the advice was to put it on super cool for twenty for hours, needless to say it made the problem worse.

Eventually an engineer was celled out, He defrosted the freezer and that was it. It made a difference for a while but another month later I was having the same problem.

The engineer called again and he moved the heater to a lower position.

A month later and again I had to call; the engineer defrosted the freezer again and ordered a bigger, more powerful heater.

A month later guess what... yes again.
This time a different engineer came out, defrosted the heater and basically accused me of leaving the fridge door open and that was why I was having all these problems (I’m not that stupid!)

Anyway a month later again it happened, back to my old friendly engineer, he defrosted the freezer and ordered a new back plate because he thought it might be the seal around it that was the problem,... a month later...again!!! This time specialist engineer came calling and defrosted the freezer, he also changed the sensor on the fridge control panel He said it as not working properly. so that is were I am at now, keeping my fingers crossed and feeling frustrated that I’ve lost loads of food and money via days off!

oblig
09-07-2008, 08:54 AM
I had the same problems, fridge and freezer heating up and out of warranty. So I paid, gulp wait for it, £159 for an engineer to come out and melt the ice from the back of the inside of the freezer with my own hair-drier, he too suggested the problem may have been caused by leaving the door open.

For my money I now have a working fridge freezer, we will also send me all my bits of broken plastic shelves etc and I get 12 months warranty but I do wonder if I have been conned?

algill81
09-07-2008, 10:46 AM
Hi please give me the reasons of oil choke in refrigerator(Domestic)

oblig
09-07-2008, 12:33 PM
Oil choke?

tonto33
10-07-2008, 10:42 PM
the main problem with these is that the evap thermistor fails and on some the drain holes are too small causing it too build up quicker even after defrost

oblig
10-07-2008, 10:56 PM
So any ideas as to what I can do to stop this happening again?

tonto33
11-07-2008, 12:00 AM
replace the evap thermistor if need one let me know and will send u one

RobCross
01-09-2008, 01:45 PM
replace the evap thermistor if need one let me know and will send u one

Hi. I think I'm having a similar problem. I was wondering how easy (or not) it would be to replace the evap thermistor myself? After reading posts elsewhere I'm not convinced that the fault won't re-occur and I don't want to be paying Hotpoint £100+ for repeat visits! Thanks. Rob

twinmum1
05-11-2008, 10:43 AM
I have contacted hotpoint, they are denying any problems with this fridge/freezer, and if I want anyone to come and see the applicance, I must pay a call out charge of £99.00. I have tried defrosting the fridge for 48hours, and yes it started working again, however three weeks later my fridge food is no longer cold! I have now reported this to watchdog.

paul_h
05-11-2008, 11:37 AM
I have contacted hotpoint, they are denying any problems with this fridge/freezer, and if I want anyone to come and see the applicance, I must pay a call out charge of £99.00. I have tried defrosting the fridge for 48hours, and yes it started working again, however three weeks later my fridge food is no longer cold! I have now reported this to watchdog.Sounds exactly like a defrost problem (48hr defrost fixes it, 3 weeks of running stuffs it up again)
Could be heater open circuit, defrost thermistor, thermal fuse problem.
None of them are a design problem to the point that they inherently fail though, some last for ever, some fail in a year or two. Batches vary in the amount of numbers the fridge manufacturers churn out. So you'll never get them to admit that they all have a manufacturing fault when it comes to the defrost systems.
If you've had the fridge looked at and been told it's OK, then who ever looked at it is in the wrong, as it has an obvious defrost fault.
In fact, most comments in this thread seem to indicate the guy checking the fridge hadn't fixed the problem, rather the the fridge manufacturer being at fault.
As said, defrost systems go wrong, and there's only a few simple things in it which do sometimes go faulty, but are easy to test and replace. The defrost circuit goes from cold and icy, to hot and wet every day. So components are stressed, and lets face it, made down to a price and and in huge batch numbers for the domestic market.

344martin
05-11-2008, 10:44 PM
Two points of interest. 1) Hotpoint is now just a badge. The products are made by Merloni (or Indesit) as the name was bought out some years ago when Marconi got into trouble. They owned a large share of GE, parent group of Hotpoint and had to offload its debt. 2)I believe there is a modification to the defrost heater which comprises an additional heater for the drain gutter, a wiring harnes to connect same and a modified defrost heater.

In addition, with reference to the guys coming to repair, it's a 'cause and effect' situaion. They're fixing the effect, but not adressing the cause.

ed209
08-11-2008, 10:46 PM
Fridge not cold, read previous postings
took out freezer trays removed back panel, found solid block off ice approx. 300mm x 70mm
defrosted with hair dryer.

Works Ok at the moment, not sure about the sensor you need to move?.

I noticed on our FF200E that the tray to collect water above the compressor was loose when it arrived and i cant get it to clip up in correct position is anybody's else like that?

The product has obviously got a design or component fault
you would not reasonably expect to have these problems after approx. a year, My old Electrolux F/F fridge freezer lasted 27 years

paul_h
10-11-2008, 03:51 PM
Sorry, there's not one hotpoint fridge in australia that I know off, so can't help with anything specific.
Old fridges used klixon bi metal switches and mechanical timers(old tried and true mechanical technology). New fridges used printed circuit boards and thermistors (which don't fare so well with temperature and humidity changes so far apparently).
The only way you can check you fridge is with a multimeter.
If the freezer is cold and down to temp (ie well below 0C) , any klixon (if fitted) should be a closed circuit, any heater should be a circuit under 1k ohm, and thermal fuse should be a closed circuit.
If that's all good and you have a mechanical defrost timer, wind it until it clicks out with the power off, turn the switch back on at the wall, and it should click back on in 30-40min, if not the timer is faulty.
If you don't have a mechanical timer and you have instead a thermistor, the only way to test really is by manufacturers resistance and voltage charts. If you don't have such a chart, but everything else is good, it's the most common culprit anyway, so just replace it.

ABDES
28-12-2008, 01:11 PM
the main problem with these is that the evap thermistor fails and on some the drain holes are too small causing it too build up quicker even after defrost

Hi I Have the same problem fridge getting warm can you tell me where the evap thermistor is located I will order one and fit it Thank you........

dirty8
28-02-2009, 01:59 PM
Hi I Have the same problem fridge getting warm can you tell me where the evap thermistor is located I will order one and fit it Thank you........

Yes and me... please :mad:

amitsaxena
05-03-2009, 11:39 AM
Dear All,

You all can post me your refrigerators problem as i have good experience in solving refrigerator problem (Both for Frost Free and Direct Cool Type)
I confirm you that if you follow my suggestion, your problem will get solved, Only you have to write me your problem at
Hope to solve your problems.

nike123
05-03-2009, 09:58 PM
Dear All,

You all can post me your refrigerators problem as i have good experience in solving refrigerator problem (Both for Frost Free and Direct Cool Type)
I confirm you that if you follow my suggestion, your problem will get solved, Only you have to write me your problem at

Hope to solve your problems.

Why don't you solve his problem here on-line on forum. In that way you help many others with similar or same problem.
Why that must be private?
Are you just collecting e-mail addresses in that way?
I am little confused with this privacy thing.:confused:

amitsaxena
08-03-2009, 12:43 PM
No, Mr Nike, its individual willingness to send me mails. But i agree with you hence will try to answer in this forum. Thanks for your suggestion.

amitsaxena
08-03-2009, 12:54 PM
Dear All,

For the abpove problem,
For sure there is deforst issue. Hence You all need to change the defrost controller sensor, as ice is not getting melt hence blocking the cold air and furthur icing of evaporator.
If anyone can post the evapotaor complete assy picture then better as dirty 8 has done but i want complete assy.

nike123
08-03-2009, 01:05 PM
No, Mr Nike, its individual willingness to send me mails. But i agree with you hence will try to answer in this forum. Thanks for your suggestion.

No problem, I just taught that is better to solve one problem for many peoples one time than solve one problem for one person many times!;)

judunk
26-03-2009, 09:28 AM
Hello All,

Just a quick word of thanks for this post - saved me a fee for an engineer call out.
Usual story came home and thr fridge was warm - read the post and followed procedure and a few hours later cold milk again :D
I had a bit of difficulty getting the back panel off as the ice had a taken a good hold so if it is stuck take care and be patient with hairdryer.

Our fridge is about 2 years old and this is the first time it has happened - well it did start to collect ice on the lowest shelf, so bad the lowest drawer could not pulled out, but I treated symptom rather than cause for last 8 months.
I expect it to happen again - regarding long term fix is the defrost controller sensor at the top or the bottom of the freezer? - both where totally iced over on ours

Once again thanks for the post.

Mal Function
03-05-2009, 03:16 PM
Had some issues with mine last year - having a wee at night!
Emptied out a load of ice was ok for a few months... then it started to happen again, had a full freezer and not much time so just left it :eek: and it was a "round toit" job. Recently it stopped leaking, so i left it (read ignored it). It wasnt leaking so it must be ok I thought.......
All of the water (ok ice) was now starting to fill up the element area/ducting in the back.
This then frosted over the temp sensors and the botttom RHS duct. I think this is when the fridge ground to a halt......
Tools for job: ice pick, phillips screwdriver, hair dryer or fan heater towels bucket...turn off 1st - and find a home for your food....
Remove rear ducting 2 short screws, 2 long and 1 medium - bottom middle.
pull the ducting off, may come apart in 2 pieces, 4 clips (2 each side). Pull the top off 1st, and remove the connector for the fan...
remove this back part (it may well be difficult) with all the ice.
Remove the ice with hair dryer boiling water etc... being careful not to damage anything.
Clear out the drain hole - canned air might help...
dry out unit and "assembly is the reverse of removal"
Im going to post some pictures soon....perhaps some people can identify the sensors/components......
I have noted that during the operation of the unit from time to time you get a cracking/crunching noise from the fridge, I assume that this is the build up of the ice expanding and contracting the plastic ducting?! This would be an indication to strip the unit......

robpet89
30-06-2009, 05:05 PM
Hi.....had exactly the same problem...thank God for this forum....saved money on sending out for an engineer!!!! Can you please let me know what the part number and where to get it from to fix the problem? Thanks for all of the help.

ghostdog
19-08-2009, 06:13 PM
:confused:This model has a problem as we all do know so you got basically three choices

1) every time the fridge stops working keep pulling out the draws undoing the the two panels not one till you get two the back and see the ice and de ice it
then put every thing back how it was and wait till next time it does it again

2)get a new fridge

3)stop letting your wife use it as a deep freezer and over filling it and stopping the proper air flow thus making it freeze up behind the back panel

ok :)

p.s.
there is a fourth option but i do not recommend it
just to shoot your self then no more any problems for you lol [.....happy fixing ...!]:o

kerryj
23-10-2009, 07:44 PM
how did you get on with watchdog. I am looking at making a complaint re my ff200e to trading standards

chunky99
11-11-2009, 11:07 PM
OK: so I've got the same problem. Warm fridge. So tried taking the panels off inside the fridge. Got to a point, having pulled out draws, taken out two low screws, then the panels over the lights, and screws under those panels where there didn't seem anything more to take off. But found no ice - just warmth. Did I get far enough? Anything else to try or is time to swear a bit, promise myself never to touch anything made by those useless gits ever again, and then buy a new one by a reputabl;e company?

Great resource and thanks.

344martin
12-11-2009, 08:26 PM
Chunky99, you're in the wrong compartment!! It's the freezer panels you need to remove!

haridoc
16-11-2009, 02:28 AM
My water tray is the same. It slides of the top of the compressor where it was glued on with some gunk. It has clips at the top but no corresponding place to clip these to. ??? Heath robinson affair to fix some previous problem perhaps?

neas
16-11-2009, 10:29 AM
I have a similar problem with my FF200E. I bought it from Argos (England) and registered it 8 months ago with Hotpoint... Technically it should still be under guarntee but I can't find the original receipt. All i've got is the fact I've registered it with Hotpoint and i have a proof of purchase of 600 quid worth of equipment from argos in february lasty year. (Washing Machine and Fridge/Freezer)

Thats the first problem.

The symptons of the fridge/freezer are slightly different:

My Fridge/Freezer does the usual cracking sound... thats supposed to be normal etc. Around 3 weeks ago I noticed a small (1/8 of a litre say) puddle of water on the floor underneath the freezer front bit. The water had leaked out from the freezer. On opening I had found the rest of the water frozen as it had trickled out.

I wipped up the water, thinking we had left the door open and it had defrosted or something... again a few days later the puddle reappeared.. so after some digging and thanks to reviews/ and this thread I found out FF200E is a shoddy make with lots and lots of problems around the same issue.

Thanks to the guides of the thread I popped open the freezer compartment took off the two panels and saw the metal grill/fan etc.

Unfortunately for me I didn't notice such a massive ice build up. All I had was a small bit of ice form where it appeared the water had gather and overflowed out of the freezer. (Basically theres a V shape underneath the grill... water seems to have gathered there... refrozen and eventually once fill... overflowed down into the main freezer area and out of the door.

Anyways.. I removed the ice.. defrosted the lot with a hair dryer (even the ice on the grill)... and crossed my fingers.

Unfortunately a few days later... the same problem persisted. I tried turning the temp up to see if this fixed it... but nope.


Has anyone had a similiar problem? I hear people mention the 'drain'. I didnt clear a drain hole when I went in... I didn't really notice one to be honest. When you talk about drain do you mean those holes in the two panels you take out? or did I miss something?

Thanks.

tonto33
16-11-2009, 04:36 PM
you need Def heater & Cut-out (http://www.partmaster.co.uk/cgi-bin/product.pl?PID=1383115&query=hotpoint%20ff200%20heater) and Gutter heater 1.73KOHMS (http://www.partmaster.co.uk/cgi-bin/product.pl?PID=1382353&query=hotpoint%20ff200%20heater) plus both thermistors to cure this problem

neas
07-12-2009, 12:30 PM
cleaned it out again and noticed the drain hole, its small aint it.

Poured warm water down it until it seemed to keep running down... turned back on and for a week and a half seems to not leak anymore.

Prob will have to do the same thing periodically with the freezer.

letta
15-01-2010, 11:44 PM
we have the same promblems cold freezer and warm fridge thank you for this site we have removed the panel and removed all of the ice but when we have put the panel back our fridge is now cold but lights are flashing and we do not know how to get them to stop. would be grateful if anyone can advise us how to stop the lights flashing

thanks:confused:

344martin
16-01-2010, 12:33 PM
there are 2 dials on the top panel. turn them both fully anti-clockwise (off) wait a minute then turn back on. The fridge will not re-start for 8 minutes so don't worry if nothing happens straight away, but the flashing lights should stop flashing. If they don't, there is a fault somewhere.

meadow14
28-01-2010, 04:05 PM
Hi, I to have a problem with this fridge freezer. Fridge not cooling. Engineer has informed us that the problem is caused due to the fact my fridge is positioned next to my combi boiler (vokera Linea 24). The boiler however is fully insulated and does not appear to me to give of any heat to the touch. Indeed speaking to various gas engineers, they feel that this is not the cause of the problem. However hotpoint engineer states that if the room is to hot a frost free fridge freezer will develope faults. Any info on wether the boiler/fridge position is likely to be the cause of the problem would be appreciated

344martin
28-01-2010, 10:54 PM
Sounds like Mr. Hotpoint is trying to blag it

sgcon
11-02-2010, 09:13 PM
hello folks.. same freezer. Same problem.. Opened it up. blasted the ice away...

...how long for the fridge to cool down?

fridge doctor
12-02-2010, 07:27 PM
"...how long for the fridge to cool down?" A couple of hours if all the ice has gone, sorry what exactly is the question?

ChimpRocket
25-02-2010, 07:48 PM
Hi,

My FF200E has started playing up today. I got the beeps and 2 flashing yellow lights, so turned the dials off and on again - the unit seemed to be operating ok after doing this.

Then I inspected the frozen food properly and it was all defrosted. :mad:

I removed the freezer drawers and unscrewed the panel and removed the fan panel. If there was any ice here it has now all melted and the drain hole is all clear.

Any idea what the problem could be? I've just put a thermometer in the fridge to see if that is failing to keep cool too.

Cheers, Jonny

ChimpRocket
25-02-2010, 10:04 PM
Hi,

My FF200E has started playing up today. I got the beeps and 2 flashing yellow lights, so turned the dials off and on again - the unit seemed to be operating ok after doing this.

Then I inspected the frozen food properly and it was all defrosted. :mad:

I removed the freezer drawers and unscrewed the panel and removed the fan panel. If there was any ice here it has now all melted and the drain hole is all clear.

Any idea what the problem could be? I've just put a thermometer in the fridge to see if that is failing to keep cool too.

Cheers, Jonny

Update
Fan is running inside freezer compartment. Compressor clicks on every few minutes for about 15 seconds but I'm not sure its actually working. Possible compressor failure maybe? Is there something I can test with a multimeter to confirm?

nike123
26-02-2010, 02:17 AM
Update
Fan is running inside freezer compartment. Compressor clicks on every few minutes for about 15 seconds but I'm not sure its actually working. Possible compressor failure maybe? Is there something I can test with a multimeter to confirm?
You could try to change starting relay/PTC and capacitor/s, and if that doesn't help, than it is compressor busted.

NAD
31-03-2010, 03:42 PM
Hi Guys,

I have the same problem with my ff200e model....I bought it in july 2008 and it didnt have any problems. A couple of weeks ago, my wife woke up in the morning and found that there was a "door open" beeps from he fridge so she made sure she shut the door tight. The beeps stopped but aftre 4 - 5 days, the fridge was warm and food was defrosted. I checked the freezer and it was fine, no problems at all. So I turned the sensor knob to "super cool" but no difference. The next day I called the Hotpoint support as I have a 3 years extended warranty on it. The engineer came the next day, opened the freezer back panel and defrosted the ice with the hair dryer and left. Asked me to let the fridge stay off until the next morning. I switched it back next morning and the problem was still there, the fridge would just not go cold. I called the engineer again and he said he will come the next day as it was sunday and he wasnt working on Sundays. He came on Monday and did the same thing, opened the back freezer panel but there was no ice, so put it back and in the process on screwing the panel back, he broke the panel (cracked it) and left saying all is fixed. The problem was still there, so I called the Hotpoint again and explained to them what the engineer had done and requested not to send the same engineer again as he obviously did not know what he was doing. So they sent another engineer after 2 days (today - 31-03-2010). He did the same thing, opened the freezer back panel and found no ice....so he said the fan is not working as it should be.....he will order a new fan and the back panel that the previous engineer broke. But he said he would not be able to fix it sooner that 10-04-2010.....(10 days from today). I called the service centre again and asked them for the complians dept. I was told that someone will give me a call back in 48 hours to discuss my concern. I told them I am not happy with the Hotpoint service as when I took extended warranty, they told me any problems will be dealt with within 24 hours and its already a week and I have to wait for another 10 days for it to be fixed. No guarantee if that would fix it. I cannot beleive that Hotpoint service centre takes 10 days to get items from Hotpoint Warehouse. The same company !!!!. I would not recommend hotpoint to anyone anymore....and I am waiting for the day when this will be fixed. My last fridge freezer was Bosch and it lasted 10years with NO PROBLEMS at all. I just wanted to buy a larger, newer version...thats it...regret it now.

frigfrustrated
07-04-2010, 10:34 PM
I have an older Model Hotpoint (CTX14CYKRAD Serial # ZM745484) that has the exact same problems as described in the posts here.
First the problem was, the freezer froze well, but the refrigerator was not cold.
So, I took off the panel in the freezer, and defrosted with a hair dryer.
That worked and the refrigerator food is cold.
But now, it won't stop running.

Any ideas PLEASE on how to fix this? (Am at wits end - 2 refrigerators in 6 months).

frigfrustrated
07-04-2010, 10:56 PM
Sounds like Mr. Hotpoint is trying to blag it

I urge all to cont corporate headquartes of G.E. Following is my letter;
After having a horrid experience with a Magic Chef refrigerator, I chose to but an older model Hotpoint top freezer refrigerator. (Older models were made with more care - supposedly).
I was very happy with the choice I made, However, after a few months the refrigerator section was not cooling. No problem - I took the freezer panel out - defrosted the vent with a hair dryer - and the food in the refrigerator is cold.
Since I turned it back on - it will not stop running.

I called your "support" number - and there is NO support. Only someone who will set up a costly appointment for service.

I am truly disappointed in General Electric. Having worked for this company in the past I know that customer service and care was the highlight of the training program I went through to be employed with a sub-contractor for G.E.
Where is it now? Non-existant.

In searching the web for a solution to this problem with my model # CTX14CYXKRAD Serial number ZM745484 - I noticed thousands of the same issues with people from all over the world - especially in model #FF200.
Most of which called your "support" line, and paid hard earned money to have a technician come out and use a hair dryer to correct the proble - only to have the same issue as I am now having.

I am so fed up with corporate greed, and lack of care - that I will take this to the media if not resolved. Soon.

jenipeno
24-05-2010, 04:33 PM
my hotp[oint fridge freezer ff200e is having similar probs to the ones above .... frezer working brilliantly but fridge is warm ... i have removed both back panels and can only see bit of ice on the metal grill thing .... not a big chunk like quoted on other messages .... can anyone advise me what to do to help repair this problem as hotpoint are no help at all!

worcs_mum68
07-06-2010, 05:09 PM
I previously posted problem of Hotpoint FF200E Fridge Freezer I purchased August 2007, product developed a problem in October with the fridge getting warm and the freezer getting to cold, service engineer came out, removed a panel and cleared fridge duct of ice blockage with a hair dryer and suggested we turn off the fridge freezer for a few hours every few weeks to avoid ice build up. Now have the same problem again and waiting a service engineer again under warranty. Have requested replacement product of a different model from Hotpoint, Hotpoint tell me I can have a replacement if the engineer can not repair the problem. Problem is the engineer may simply remove the panel use the hair dryer and claim the fridge freezer is repaired and working again, 3 months later I will no doubt have the same problem if thats the case. I think the FF200E has a basic problem with the technology having seen other postings on the web complaining of the same fault, can anyone suggest a good replacement Hotpoint product and advise on potential problem of service engineer insisting the fridge freezer is repaired and working ok,
I have had the FF200E fail on four occasions in 3 years. Each time the engineer just defrosted and then it happened again. The last time he had the cheek to tell me it was happening because UK specifications are not cut out for extreme hot weather and that even though it is frost free I need to defrost it!
Have found hundreds of complaints on the internet with frost free Hotpoints and have phoned their customer service and finally got a number not displayed anywhere where I told them I wanted a new fridge freezer or a full refund. I told her that the unit is not fit ofr purpose and that it should be replaced as the engineers are merely treating the effect and not the cause. I told her customers have been charged large sums of money to have the ice defrosted using their own hair driers and she said this should not happen under any circumstances! I have sent all my complaint in writing and have attached the web addresses of all the consumer sites with complaints, there are hundreds. They are coming back to me and I have an engineer booked for next Monday (they cannot guarantee a time and as we both work 8-6 is no good). I have told her Hotpoint know all about this problem and they are ripping customers off and fobbing them off with excuses when they know it is a design fault. I said if we had known this before I would have bought another make and not gone near Hotpoint with a bargepole! Watch this space, I am not resting till Hotpoint have put this right, otherwise consumer watchdog here I come...

worcs_mum68
07-06-2010, 05:12 PM
my hotp[oint fridge freezer ff200e is having similar probs to the ones above .... frezer working brilliantly but fridge is warm ... i have removed both back panels and can only see bit of ice on the metal grill thing .... not a big chunk like quoted on other messages .... can anyone advise me what to do to help repair this problem as hotpoint are no help at all!
Put it all in writing there are hundreds of complaints for this problem on the internet on many different consumer sites.

worcs_mum68
07-06-2010, 05:16 PM
Sounds like Mr. Hotpoint is trying to blag it
Mr Hotpoint is in trouble then, because I am not getting ripped off on a £400 fridge freezer which is supposed to be frost free when it is not and keeps breaking down. The excuses the engineers use are breathtaking. UK fridges not cut out for hot UK weather, frost free need defrosting, when its hot I get called out all the time for this etc etc.
I am giving their head office a chance to put it right but if not they are in for a shock! If you have no warranty and the unit fails, you should still claim because it is not fit for purpose, has a design fault and should never have been sent out like it in the first place. I have read of people being charged £150 for the engineer to so call fix it with their OWN hairdrier!!!!!!!
I am on the warpath, so WATCH OUT mr Hotpoint!!!!!!!!!

worcs_mum68
07-06-2010, 06:27 PM
In the product manual it states:-page 6. No frost cooling system. The system maintains an optimal humidity level in the compartment, preserving the original quality of food, preventing the food from sticking together and MAKING DEFROSTING A THING OF THE PAST.

Nothing about having to defrost anything, or get a hairdrier to melt the ice block!!!!!!!!!!!

344martin
07-06-2010, 10:43 PM
Go, Mum, go!!!

wotawilfred
07-06-2010, 10:50 PM
I too have this problem on an FF200E which is 2 years old. Nightmare! UNTIL, I simply removed two internal panels behind the freezer drawers and found the iceberg that everyone is talking about! I simply dug a screwdriver into it a few times and dislodged it all, and finished it off with a hairdryer to defrost the rest. The result is a freezer and fridge like new! I fully accept that this is complete rubbish to have to do this but at least my FF is now working again, my milk is fresh for more than 24 hours and I don't have a slab of ice underneath the bottom drawer every few days! Defrosting like this every few weeks I'll live with if it means I don't have to throw a two year old FF away! What a dreadful design from Hotpoint!

duke333
07-06-2010, 11:56 PM
I, as everyone else, also have the same problem, and tried fixing it the way we was instructed earlier in this thread, and move the anti frosting heater thingymebob lower down the cooling thingymebob, in the back of the freezer behind the panels.

this may have worked if i hadnt of busted the joint where the copper pipe meets the alli pipe, most of the gas spilled out, made me very light headed i might add, as i had my head right inside the thing! so bewear for that,

so now i need to find some where to buy a R600a refill bottle then find some one with the know how in essex, to refill it after repairing the join.

I bought this fridge about 4 years ago, it went wonky in the first six months which is when all this happend and then i put it in my mums garrage and its bin there since.

i have now decided to get it back out and fix it, after spending 400 on a fridge you want more than 6 months use out of it.

any other updates would be grately appreciated,

Also worcs_mum68.... you go girl!
what has been the outcome?

(appologies for my spelling)

Gingerair
08-06-2010, 12:07 AM
Over 18,000 views & counting !!!

What kind of rubbish are Hotpoint knocking out here !!

Where's Annette Robinson When you need her....

All i can say is you can't go wrong with a Miele :D

HotpointCarl
09-06-2010, 04:59 PM
right!!!looks like you have come across a problem...even my FF does this lol.
There is a cure, a more powerful defrost heater, foil tape and a new file for the power board to extend the defrost times, BUT you have got to find out where the ice is coming from, they either iceball from the evap, or the drain hole ices up, both require different repairs.

HotpointCarl
09-06-2010, 05:01 PM
duke, have u got vac gear?the evaps are very awkward to fix

Proterra
21-06-2010, 10:55 PM
First posting is a me too post. FF200E suffered warm fridge syndrome @ about 14 months contacted independent repairer who would not take job but suggested turn off for 24hr and that might fix it. It did, that was about 4 months ago and warm fridge problem has now reappeared again. Only 12 hours to go before switch on.....
Found this forum thanks to google hopefully other will also and perhaps as suggested combined action against Hotpoint or even pressure on sellers in first instance.

lpl
03-07-2010, 09:54 AM
Guys

thank god i've found somebody else with this problem, my FF200E also blocked up andreading all threads i found the blockage, and defosted, all now seems OK except for the three lights (super freeze and cool) that now flash like a firework display and have done so for 5 days.
After a coerrected the Freeze up (which looked like the film " the day after tomorrow" i powered up and pressed the buttons but they are still on, should i have done something else or left it off a bit longer? Hey Guys it would also be good to hear from you ,if hotpoint has fixed probem with new models and share these phone numbers that some have found :cool:

HotpointCarl
04-07-2010, 10:18 AM
turn the dials off, then back on again, should clear the lights bud

chwoott
22-07-2010, 10:52 PM
Hi all!
I also have the'famous' hotpoint ff200e with the same problem...warm fridge, cold freezer.
on checking the forum, i tried taking off the panel at the back of the freezer and there was no ice at all behind it. a bit stumped. anyone have any other ideas?
thanks

HotpointCarl
24-07-2010, 01:27 AM
is the fan running?also the baffle could be closed

chwoott
25-07-2010, 07:29 PM
hi carl
forgive my ignorance....can't hear a fan at the moment....where would it be situated? also where is the baffle so that i can check it?
thanks for your help.

HotpointCarl
26-07-2010, 12:17 AM
the fan is behind the panel in the back of the freezer, and the baffle is behind the panel in the fridge, both controlled by thermistors, if u turn both dials off then the right dial on, off, on, off should go into self test, fan should run, baffle open, defrost heater come on comp run ect

AlannTH
18-08-2010, 06:15 PM
My Problem is with the Hotpoint FF175B, model. I bought it for my mother from perfect homes in 2006, First month it broke down, problem was the chip board above the door panel, broke again same problem was replaced with another, again it broke engee told me it was second hand the replacement, so fitted a new one. 2 weeks later the fridge started getting warm and the freezer was ok, had to wait 3 weeks for engineer to come out he thawed the freezer said it was a build up of ice on the back panel. I could go on but ill cut to the chase. a further 14 visits with the same problem during the 7th visit they fitted a thermostat, the engineer told me it was a design fault in these fridges. Had them out many times since they claim the thermostat was not correctly fitted, so they fitted it again, that failed. I am now to the point where the fridge has gone out of warrenty by a month and I now once a week take off back panel myself to thaw it out. Perfect homes got so fed up with the complaints with this fridge that they stopped sending emails to hotpoint for engineer callouts. I need a new fridge and it will never be hotpoint ever again. The standard of repairs and customer services is, I wont say I want to keep this civil. How can they sell faulty equipment like this and then send repairmen out who have little ideas how to repair a design fault.

Alan T.

Alltouraine
14-09-2010, 09:38 AM
I too have had cooling problems with the FF200eg, and if it wasnt for this forum I would have spent good hard earned cash for a service engineer to remove the block of ice behind the freezer panel. All seems well now, and remember if you are going to remove the ice yourself your fridge has about an 8min time delay.;)

craig73
20-09-2010, 07:14 PM
well now at least I know that its not just my FF200, loved the look of this model when in the showroom, but since I have plugged it in it really has gone down hill fast.
Same problem with small puddles appearing at freezer door ends, fan seems noisy and runs constantly and the bottom draw doesn't seem to allow you to get it out much (excellent for my wife's diet).
Any suggestions on fixing all the above will be greatly appreciated and I'm also on board if Hotpoint needs another customer to moan at them.

hp7166
07-10-2010, 03:01 PM
Hi Guys

I have the same issue as everyone else, warm fridge freezer fine, had a engineer come out last night cleared the blockage of ice but is still warm. He took off the fridge panel and suspected the flap but after reading some posts it seems it not that.

Is there anything else this could be or where do i start

Cheers

Rob

mr_rob
23-10-2010, 10:18 AM
hi
we have a small leak under the fridge (seems to be during night).
it also makes more of a rattling noise when the engine runs.
the fridge is cold as normal and the freezer freezing, but reading here and taking into account the leak / rattle should we take action?

what exactly should be done?
are there guides/ photos of how to do this?

thanks

spriitzer
23-11-2010, 04:59 PM
"
I previously posted problem of Hotpoint FF200E Fridge Freezer I purchased August 2007, product developed a problem in October with the fridge getting warm and the freezer getting to cold, service engineer came out, removed a panel and cleared fridge duct of ice blockage with a hair dryer and suggested we turn off the fridge freezer for a few hours every few weeks to avoid ice build up. Now have the same problem again and waiting a service engineer again under warranty. Have requested replacement product of a different model from Hotpoint, Hotpoint tell me I can have a replacement if the engineer can not repair the problem. Problem is the engineer may simply remove the panel use the hair dryer and claim the fridge freezer is repaired and working again, 3 months later I will no doubt have the same problem if thats the case. I think the FF200E has a basic problem with the technology having seen other postings on the web complaining of the same fault, can anyone suggest a good replacement Hotpoint product and advise on potential problem of service engineer insisting the fridge freezer is repaired and working ok,"

Bit late with this response guys, so apologies! I have this Hotpoint Model Fridge/Freezer. Been working fine for the last two and a half years, but about 6 months ago the fridge began getting warm. Called out the Hotpoint engineer, who diagnosed the problem as ice forming in the freezer.

HIS answer to the problem wasn't a hairdryer though. It was to take a HAMMER from his toolkit and smash the ice!!! Unfortunately, he also cracked the backplate, and I've now waited a month for a new one. He said the unit didn't really need the plastic backplate to operate. Called it a baffle. Sure as hell baffled me lol!!!! :rolleyes:

Told me to leave the fridge/freezer off for "at least 48 hours" to allow all the ice to melt thoroughly. Actually left the unit off for 72 hours to make doubly sure. Obviously didn't do the food in there much good though.

All was well until a couple of days ago, when the fridge ceased to chill once more. Turned the unit off for 5 hours yesterday (again, doing the food a LOT of good), and back on again. All working well it seems. Until WHEN though? :confused:

I don't relish the thought of having to turn my fridge/freezer off every few weeks for 5 or more hours, and am now looking to replace the darned thing. Will probably not buy another frost-free model, because of the experience I've had with this Hotpoint version. What a shame!

nike123
23-11-2010, 07:42 PM
It is not shame on fridge. It is shame on hack of your service engineer.
He should repair defrost function and not to convert frost free in to ordinary fridge.:rolleyes:
Did you helped with reluctance to pay price for full repair?;)

And how do you think to deice non frost-free model without stopping it (end defrosting) every few weeeks?

cameraman
24-11-2010, 05:07 PM
Thought the Hotpoint Engineer would have posted this. Known fault on the full range ( FF187/200 HOTPOINTS AND BAN134/144 INDESITS )
The gap below the evap blocks up solid with ice.
Parts for the modification are listed as follows to cure this fault
After production serial number 71008
DEFROST HEATER KIT - C00259475
GUTTER HEATER ASSY- C00140585
LINK HARNESS ASSY - C00141294

If the serial number is before 71008 the harness and gutter are the same part numbers but the defrost heater kit is C00259476
The new gutter heater fits up into the air duct to keep it clear and the defrost heater kit has extra passes and a new elth defrost stat/thermal fuse. The extra passes hang loose in the void down to the drain hole and keep the ice clear. The link harness is used to add the new gutter heater and defrost heater together. Next time Hotpoint come out or you have to ring them, just quote the parts to them. In theory, the appliance had a fault from new so the trading standards 6 year rule would apply.

Been fitting these kits for the last couple of years to cure this fault. Hotpoint will not admit anything over the phone but we have done shed loads.

RogerioHessel
29-12-2010, 03:02 PM
Thought the Hotpoint Engineer would have posted this. Known fault on the full range ( FF187/200 HOTPOINTS AND BAN134/144 INDESITS )
The gap below the evap blocks up solid with ice.
Parts for the modification are listed as follows to cure this fault
After production serial number 71008
DEFROST HEATER KIT - C00259475
GUTTER HEATER ASSY- C00140585
LINK HARNESS ASSY - C00141294

If the serial number is before 71008 the harness and gutter are the same part numbers but the defrost heater kit is C00259476
The new gutter heater fits up into the air duct to keep it clear and the defrost heater kit has extra passes and a new elth defrost stat/thermal fuse. The extra passes hang loose in the void down to the drain hole and keep the ice clear. The link harness is used to add the new gutter heater and defrost heater together. Next time Hotpoint come out or you have to ring them, just quote the parts to them. In theory, the appliance had a fault from new so the trading standards 6 year rule would apply.

Been fitting these kits for the last couple of years to cure this fault. Hotpoint will not admit anything over the phone but we have done shed loads.

Hi cameraman,
I am new to this forum and have the very same problem with my FF200EP.
I have recently moved back to Brazil and took with me all my household belongings. The FF200EP (3 years old) was running well until 2 months ago when the problem began to happen weekly, so I have been going through the defrosting process by removing the back panel of the freezer.

This FF200EP's s/n is 706190422, hence I searched for the parts you listed on your post.

I found the following at yourspares.co.uk
1 - D/frost Htr Kit 148w C/o=df Stat/72°c by Indesit
£29.99
Stock Code YS58968
Manufacturer Number C00259476

2 - Service Gutter Htr ( Rf) by Indesit
£6.99
Stock Code YS50593
Manufacturer Number C00140585

3 - Gutter Heater Link Harness by Indesit
£69.99
Stock Code YS50815
Manufacturer Number C00141294

Are these parts the correct ones? It is going to cost me £110 plus delivery to Brazil so I want to get it right.

It would be very appreciated if you could post a picture of these parts installed into the freezer or a diagram showing the installation.

Thanks for your help.

paul_h
10-01-2011, 04:17 PM
OK, there it is!
georgeh has a been on a massive posting spree, it could only be so they could get 15 posts so they could post a link, and here it is!

mikeref
10-01-2011, 04:35 PM
A red dot, don't think i've come across one untill now, well done..

paul_h
10-01-2011, 05:51 PM
Don't know how those infractions work, automated in some way.

Still, the system here normally just edits the posts, leaving the thread bumps all over the place. Not aggressive enough, these spammers need smiting(?) Smite the spammers :)
It's nothing like another non trade forum I read, over 13000 members banned since 1999. Got to pay ten bux for it though and the owner felt bad taking peoples money, so now just gives out probations for idiots and only bans the real tools.
but over 13000 people who paid $10 to join were big enough idiots to get banned.
But because of probations, only 3 banned today. It must have been a slow day...
Quite ironic using imageshack to show a screenshot of these forums. But I guess my point is the internet forums are a harsh place that needs more smiting, deleting, and banning :off topic:
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/6704/saforums.png

Brian_UK
10-01-2011, 09:59 PM
Don't know how those infractions work, automated in some way.

It's all down to us poor shmucks, the moderators, to handle.

You are king enough to report some of these pain in the arses but otherwise we have to waste time searching them ourselves.

The forum is getting updated as we write so things should improve, hopefully.

As far as the infraction does it is up us to decide what level should be applied, some are just warnings, other provide loss of service to the user for varying time periods; the red one is end of service.

Also the mods do not have privileges over all sections at the moment, it's being changed, so although we can do some bits we may not be able to delete a post; we have to wait on our mates.....

Anyway, :off topic:, post over, sorry to high jack.

Ballab61
17-01-2011, 08:23 PM
Had the same problem over the weekend - Stripped down cleared ICE and drain - checked Fan worked to distribute cool air to upper compartment working ok. Was lucky not to lose any food as was quick doing the job - I think previous quote replacing the Defrost heater and sensors that come with it sound like the trick. Even so its a poor Job - had this for 3 years. The other suggestions saying do not overfill as this will block airflow in the Freezer compartment, did not have problems until my new partner filled the compartments right up.

paddyboy
17-01-2011, 09:49 PM
hi been reading all the quotes above about all the problems everyone has with this model.

my problem is that the freezer is going perfect its the fridge part at the top that dosent seem to be cooling anything there seems to be no cold air coming out.
i have stripped the bottom of the freezer out and used a hair dryer to defrost it all but still the same
problem at the fridge end.

be obliged if some can help or show me what i need to change or do to fix this problem.

thanks for any help.

tonto33
19-01-2011, 10:32 PM
If anyone needs Technical bulletin for these email me at airkool@hotmail.co.uk

gary311098
31-01-2011, 07:06 AM
hi been reading all the quotes above about all the problems everyone has with this model.

my problem is that the freezer is going perfect its the fridge part at the top that dosent seem to be cooling anything there seems to be no cold air coming out.
i have stripped the bottom of the freezer out and used a hair dryer to defrost it all but still the same
problem at the fridge end.

be obliged if some can help or show me what i need to change or do to fix this problem.

thanks for any help.


how i fixed the problem ?
the problem is basically of drain choke due excessive ice accumalation over a period of time , with the defrost heating element not able to provide sufficient heat exchange to melt the ice in defrost cycle being controlled by defrost sensor .
solution
change the sensor location to increace defrost cycle time , instead of sensing coil temp , relocate it to sense only evap air temperature thereby increase in defrost time ---- more melting of ice
more wattage / resistance heater means more energy units , design a heater so as to increase its surface contact with the ice at the bottom of evaporater like two heater coils in bottom or w loop in bottom
use a foil heater in the drip tray where drain hole is located to melt the ice from bottom and sides
increase drain hole dia
copper\al wire 3 inches down the hole (free end) , other end coiled to surface of defrost heater
thats how i fixed it .

missfaith
17-02-2011, 01:02 PM
Hi thanks very much for your advice you saved me a lot of money and the job took all of half an hour, but i noticed on the drain hole there is a slight ridge before entering maybe causing the first few drips of water to freeze forming a barrier causing it to freeze, but thanks for all your advice and now i can have a cold beer.

nickgur
14-04-2011, 08:05 PM
I have the same Hotpoint FF200E Fridge Freezer which had been fine for about 3 years :) but now it has started to leave a puddle on the floor and ice build up under the bottom draw in the freezer compartment. :(.
I assume from reading this forum it is a blocked drain hole, can someone please confirm this please.

tb637
16-04-2011, 02:11 AM
yes you have a blocked drainage hole with ice. hang a length of copper wire from the bottom of the defrost heater and put the other end down the drainage hole. when the heater comes on it defrosts the hole aswell.

skc
25-04-2011, 11:30 AM
hi i have had the same problem for the past year,i feel let down by hotpoint,for selling sub standard items such as this i wondered if anyone had conntacted watchdog about this ,the engineers just take the freezer back panel off wack the ice and tell me its sorted,so have had enough and purchased a new one,but have still kept the old one at mo,as too good to chuck but not good enough to sell with the on going problem.

tonto33
25-04-2011, 03:44 PM
You dont need to chuck these fridges yes they had design fault same as 70% of domestic refrigeration on the market, you only need to spend few pounds to get these running correct, not the bodge it way of putting copper wire down drain hole like some Bodge it and Scarper companies.. with the correct info and parts anyone with bit of common sense should be able to fix there fridge..

tb637
28-04-2011, 05:49 PM
tonto33 i gave him a way to fix the problem not offer to send him tech details off someone else that he wont understand. No wonder so many people have arguements on here with idiots like you around. Your post did not help anyone so what was the point of it

benwimpory
29-04-2011, 08:44 AM
Cool freezer - warm fridge - just removed my ice block and my fridge is now cooling to 1 degree C :-) Thanks to others for posting on this thread.

For anyone else reading not trained in fridge repair, make sure you pull off the second panel with the fan to reveal the cooling element - at 11pm at night this second panel confused me for a while. All in, took around 30 minutes to remove the panels and hair dryer the block off.

Have also bought a thermometer with an alarm to let me know when it needs doing again. Sure beats paying >£100 to "engineers".

welsha
31-07-2011, 01:59 PM
Yet another of the same problem.....Warm Fridge, Cold freezer..

Owned the FF200E for about 3 years and never had a problem with it until today.

Having found this forum and read all the posts i removed the panels in the freezer compartment to find that it was totally blocked with ice. I have managed too remove all the ice and i am now waiting to see if the fridge will cool again.

Thanks to all for the posts on here.

Anthony.

MARROW
01-08-2011, 09:06 AM
Thought the Hotpoint Engineer would have posted this. Known fault on the full range ( FF187/200 HOTPOINTS AND BAN134/144 INDESITS )
The gap below the evap blocks up solid with ice.
Parts for the modification are listed as follows to cure this fault
After production serial number 71008
DEFROST HEATER KIT - C00259475
GUTTER HEATER ASSY- C00140585
LINK HARNESS ASSY - C00141294

If the serial number is before 71008 the harness and gutter are the same part numbers but the defrost heater kit is C00259476
The new gutter heater fits up into the air duct to keep it clear and the defrost heater kit has extra passes and a new elth defrost stat/thermal fuse. The extra passes hang loose in the void down to the drain hole and keep the ice clear. The link harness is used to add the new gutter heater and defrost heater together. Next time Hotpoint come out or you have to ring them, just quote the parts to them. In theory, the appliance had a fault from new so the trading standards 6 year rule would apply.

Been fitting these kits for the last couple of years to cure this fault. Hotpoint will not admit anything over the phone but we have done shed loads.

Hi newbie here,
just had independent engineer out to do the above mod,only problem is the plug on the link harness does not fit the plug in the freezer,the freezer plug has spaded connectors while the link harness has round pins,is there an adaptor available or could someone advise on a solution please
many thanks

tinamoo
31-08-2011, 11:09 PM
I posted a long while ago about the same problem with mine. Started off with pools of water near the fridge freezer. Then ice build up at the back of the freezer and then a couple of days ago the fridge was just warm. I have been asking my husband to have a look at it and follow the advice on here for a good while but it was only when the fridge stopped working he decided to do something about it.

We have decided we have had enough and wanted a new fridge freezer. Unfortunately the one that I fell in love with is out of stock.

Has anyone noticed any pattern for how long it will work for once all the ice has been got rid of?

chillerman2006
08-09-2011, 01:09 AM
Off topic - needed removing

sjcaunt
06-10-2011, 04:11 PM
ive been reading with great intrest all the posts about the ff200e as the fridge seems to have packed up on mine ie getting warm, im now in the process of defrosting it but am having great difficulty removing the panel from the back of the freezer. I have removed the 3 screws but it wont budge can anyone throw some light on this for me?

tonto33
06-10-2011, 04:29 PM
email me at airkool@hotmail.co.uk and will send u details of how to access fridge

Rack
06-11-2011, 03:57 PM
Had the problem mentioned of small pools of water in front of the freezer with ice forming at the base of the freezer. So pleased I found this forum, as followed the instructions to remove the back panel inside the freezer and the panel with the fan behind it and then defrost the ice in the drain hole and flush it through with boiling water.
To get it to fully drain properly needed to go round to the back of the freezer and see where the water drained out and squeeze the tube there to although some fluff to drain through.

Freezer seems to be ok now so far.

I had phoned Hotpoint and the cheapest call out option was £105!


So well happy today:)

Tainy
10-11-2011, 06:13 PM
Hello all.

I too have had this problem - fridge warm, freezer too cold. I bought my FF200E two months ago second-hand "refurbished" for £150 and thought I'd been done over when I noticed this fault. Thanks to all who have posted here! I have followed the advice, switched back on and now just waiting to see if the fridge cools...


ive been reading with great intrest all the posts about the ff200e as the fridge seems to have packed up on mine ie getting warm, im now in the process of defrosting it but am having great difficulty removing the panel from the back of the freezer. I have removed the 3 screws but it wont budge can anyone throw some light on this for me?

The above also had me stumpped for a while, there are 3 screws that you can see and another 3 longer ones set deep in the larger holes, you will need a long driver to get them out. Panel will then come out. The second panel just has little clips on the edge, a flat-blade driver might be handy to releasing these.

macanante
11-04-2012, 09:37 AM
Service engineer arrived and removed the ice blockage and carried out a modification to relocate the defrost heating element to prevent the icing, the engineer was great and took the trouble to explain the reason for the fault and modification. Seems Hotpoint were aware of the problem and came out with a simple corrective action that makes sense, just a pity they were not more proactive and arranged the modification before they had customer complaint, however I am now confident the issue is resolved but only time will tell.

Hladnjaci (http://eluxstore.com.hr/hladnjaci/cijena/hladnjak-ern23510/)

Mr_Damage
25-08-2012, 11:51 AM
I have got somewhere with this now!

I ran some built in diagnostics and have come up with fault code F25, Freezer evaporator NTC sensor
open / short circuit.
Is this the Evap thermister that I keep reading about?
If so does anyone know where I can get one at reasonable cost?
I had a lot of trouble confirming which was the correct item on the hotpoint spares website. I called them and they were as much use as a chocolate fireguard.
I'm happy to buy the part but I need to confirm that I have identified the correct one.

Mr_Damage
25-08-2012, 12:27 PM
I think I have found one !!
http://www.pandorasoem.com/Genuine-GE-RefFrz-Thermistor-Sensor-Wr55X10025-New_p_943.html
or
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120963480819?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D120963480819%26_rdc %3D1

Can anyone please confirm that this will be the correct one?

tonto33
25-08-2012, 10:00 PM
wrong part

Mr_Damage
26-08-2012, 10:17 PM
wrong part

Do you know how to identify the correct part or can you tell me what is the correct part?
It isn't listed on the hotpoint site

Chris Homewood
27-08-2012, 05:58 PM
Please can you post a picture of where to the engineer moved the defrost heating element from and to. Thanks in advance.


Service engineer arrived and removed the ice blockage and carried out a modification to relocate the defrost heating element to prevent the icing, the engineer was great and took the trouble to explain the reason for the fault and modification. Seems Hotpoint were aware of the problem and came out with a simple corrective action that makes sense, just a pity they were not more proactive and arranged the modification before they had customer complaint, however I am now confident the issue is resolved but only time will tell.

Hladnjaci (http://eluxstore.com.hr/hladnjaci/cijena/hladnjak-ern23510/)

Mad_angler1
22-09-2012, 10:55 AM
There are a few problems that affect these models however all result in a warm fridge, depending on the fault affects the repair required.

There are 2 versions of these with a top mounted module and a rear mounted module. if you have the rear mounted board there will be a large black box on the rear LH side.

Top mounted board Models ONLY

The first thing is these shipped with a defrost cycle of around 30 minutes, this was found not to be long enough and was extended to around 50 minutes in later models, a reprogram of the module with the latest file will extend this cycle, however i would do this as well as one of the below as normally just reprogramming does not resolve the issue.

1st Problem. ice buildup on the evaporator, this can extend down to the gutter but the evaporator its self is frozen solid. sometimes you can see a gap where the gutter heater is melting the very bottom of it.


First thing is to Isolate the fridge power, remove the multi flow and defrost the evaporator, use a steamer ideally, wall paper one with out the end works well, DO NOT use a hairdryer or heat gun, water + electricity = A&E, also do not use tools to brake away the ice, catch a pipe its it skip time for the unit.

Next disconnect the plug and check the resistance of the defrost heater, the two white wires, you should get around 360 ohm, you also have 4 wires going to the overheat stat in the same plug, normally 2 blue and 2 brown, check for continuity between the two of each colour, if any of these are open circuit then there is your problem.

next on the socket in the cabinet where the plug was located find the two pins that the white wires for the defrost heater went into, this is the wiring to the gutter heater, check the resistance across these two pins, you should get about 3.6k on the meter. is its open circuit the defrost heater burnt out, see issue two on resolving this, if it ok read on.


If all are fine then its likely the Evaporator sensor has failed, moisture get into these and then freezes and kills the sensor, this is non replaceable HOWEVER there is a modification that can be made to bypass the sensor,the module then works on timed values rather than readings from the sensor, this can only done by Hotpoint or a service agent as it requires the board to be reprogrammed as well as the sensor being cut out. this modification is very good and does solve most of the problems.


2nd Problem, Ice building up in the gutter, the evaporator is mostly clear but a large block of ice has built up below it.

Again first thing is to Isolate the fridge power, remove the multi flow and defrost the evaporator, use a steamer ideally, wall paper one with out the end works well, DO NOT use a hairdryer or heat gun, water + electricity = A&E, also do not use tools to brake away the ice, catch a pipe its it skip time for the unit.

now on the socket in the cabinet where the plug was located find the two pins that the white wires for the defrost heater went into, check the resistance across these two pins, you should get about 3.6k on the meter. is its open circuit the defrost heater is open.

If the defrost heater is open circuit then there is a heater kit available that sticks on the gutter, depending on the type some have round pins and some have spade connectors.

If the defrost heater is fine then check the drain hole is clear, there is a larger defrost heater kit available that extends further down the gutter, sometimes this resolves the issue however not always, of the gutter heater is showing resistance you should not fit the extra heater kit because you could melt the back of the fridge out however i have seen this done and it has resolved the issue with out damaging the freezer, but this is not recommended at all.

If the gutter heater is fine but the ice is still building up you could try hanging a pice of copper wire from the defrost heater down the drain hole, wrap it around the heater and just let it hang, it helps stop it from freezing over, if all this fails then i would recommend the sensor bypass modification above. this should resolve the problem.


Rear Mounted Board Models.

Basically its the same as the above but the sensor bypass can not be performed on these units, so if after checking all the heaters and you are still getting ongoing issues i can't really suggest anything else, most get replaced at this point, its likely the gutter heater has moved away from the lining slightly, you could add the external heater kit but be warned it COULD melt the lining out.

petea
23-10-2012, 02:35 PM
Which, and how many, screws have to be undone to takeoff the freezer compartment back panel? Can the drain be accessed without taking off the panel?

JohnMumford
28-12-2012, 08:35 PM
Hi All,

First of all, I need to say a big thanks for those who have given out useful advice on this forum - got my fridge up and running quickly... though I am worried it is only a temporary fix...

In order to help others like I have been helped, I took a couple of photos of how to dismantle the panels.

1 - open freezer section (no photo)
2 - remove all freezer drawers (no photo)
3 - remove first main panel - beware the screws "hidden" in the deep holes - lift from bottom and it should pop out quite easily (no photo at this stage)
4 - remove secondary panel - be carefull with the clips on both sides (and the top) (photo here (https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YBwFsYwcIQBUcUPeBx-CHdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink) and here (https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bgNq1mU28YAAtvtR9RxfTtMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink))
5 - you now have access to the cooling coil (photo here (https://picasaweb.google.com/113959199692401247450/HotpointFf187#5827078699178254674))
6 - if you have ice build-up blocking the vent, it will be here (photo here (https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tZJba6MmVvkSkp6DordfgdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink) or here (https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Gnks-TkjrxP-FfTrLS40StMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink))

I'm still getting some frost build up and don't know whether that is normal?

I have read about several solutions, and don't know which to follow to be honest.... too much advice kills the advice :P

From what I have read, there are two paths to follow:
1 - fit new parts (cost approx £110) that will ensure the defrost of the dripping tray area
2 - check defrosting cycle & parts work and unless it is a simple replacement of the defrost coil, you need to get it seen by and engineer....

Please can someone confirm I have summarised the above correctly?

Thanks again guys, and I hope the little I have brought above will also help others!

Cheers,

John.

JohnMumford
29-12-2012, 02:26 PM
Dear Mad_Angler1,

Thanks for your post - I have followed it to the letter and have found the following;
1- white wires connected to defrost heater coil show 360 ohm so OK
2- blue & yellow wires show closed circuit so OK
3- socket where white wires give me 1.6kohm... so less than you advise... OK or NOT OK?

From here I don't really understand where I am supposed to go... if the defrost heater is ok (it show 360 ohm) I don't understand what to replace.... you mention a heater kit (from other posts, I am assuming it is this (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Indesit-C00259475-Fridge-Freezer-Defrost/dp/B009LMNJDS/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1356785676&sr=1-1)) however this seems (just looking at the picture here) like replacing the defrost heater coil which is working (closed circuit?)... or have I missed something?

Thanks in advance for your help,

John.