Kenmore 253 French Door Refrigerator Use and Care Manual

Kenmore 253 French Door Refrigerator

Installation

• This Use & Care Manual provides specific operating instructions for your model. Use the refrigerator only as instructed in this Use & Care Manual: Before starting the refrigerator, follow these important first steps.

LOCATION

• Choose a place that is nea/r a grounded electrical outlet. Do Not use an extension cord or an adapter plug.
• If possible, place the refrigerator out of direct sunlight and away from the range, dishwasher, or other heat sources.
• The refrigerator must be installed on a floor that is level and strong enough to support a fully loaded refrigerator.
• Consider water supply availability for models equipped with an automatic ice maker.

INSTALLATION

Installation Clearances

Allow the following clearances for ease of installation, proper air circulation, and plumbing and electrical connections:

• Sides & Top……..3/8
• Back……1
• NOTE: If you see black coils/tubing on the back of your refrigerator (air-cooled condenser) leave a 3″ clearance at the top of the refrigerator.

DOOR OPENING

NOTE: If your refrigerator is placed with the door hinge side against a wall, you may have to allow additional space so the door can be opened wider.

LEVELING

All four corners of your refrigerator must rest firmly on a solid floor: Your refrigerator is equipped with adjustable front rollers to help level your unit. To Level Your Refrigerator:

1. Remove the toe grille.
2. Use a flat-blade screwdriver or 3/8* socket wrench able to maintain proper temperatures inside the to adjust front rollers.
   • Note: Raise the front refrigerator enough so the doors close treely when opened halfway. The refrigerator should slope ¼” to ½ from front to back. Then level the refrigerator from side to side

Installation – Connecting Optional Ice Maker To Water Supply

Before Installing The Water Supply Line, You Will Need

• Basic Tools: adjustable wrench, flat-blade screwdriver, and Phillips™ screwdriver
• Access to a household cold water line with water pressure between 20 and 120 psi.
• A water supply line made of ¼ inch (6.4 mm) OD, copper tubing, or braided water line. To determine the length of copper tubing needed, you will need to measure the distance from the ice maker inlet valve at the back of the refrigerator to your cold water pipe. Then add approximately 7 feet (2:1 meters); so the refrigerator can be moved out for cleaning (as shown).
• A compression nut and ferrule (sleeve) for connecting the water supply line to the ice maker inlet valve.
  • NOTE: A water line kit is available through Sears retail or catalog stores at an additional cost.

To Connect the Water Supply Line To Ice Maker Inlet Valve

1. Disconnect refrigerator from electric power source.
2. Place the end of the water supply line into the sink or bucket. Turn ON the water supply and flush the supply line until the water is clear. Turn OFF the water supply at the shut-off valve.
3. Unscrew the plastic cap from the water valve inlet and discard the cap.
4. Slide brass compression nut, then ferrule (sleeve) onto the water supply line, as shown.
5. Push the water supply line into the water valve inlet as far as it will go (¼ inch). Slide ferrule (sleeve) into valve inlet and finger tighten compression nut onto valve. Tighten another half-turn with a wrench; DO NOT over-tighten.
6. With a steel clamp and screw, secure the water supply line to the rear panel of the refrigerator as shown.
7. Coil excess water supply line (about 2½ turns) behind refrigerator as shown and arrange coils so they do not vibrate or wear against any other surface.
8. Turn ON the water supply at the shutoff valve and tighten any connections that leak.
9. Reconnect the refrigerator to an electrical power source.
10. To turn the ice maker on lower wire signal am (see ice maker front cover for ON/ OFF position of arm).
    • IMPORTANT: It takes approximately 24 hours for the ice maker to begin producing ice. Air in new plumbing lines may cause the ice maker to cycle two or three times before making a full tray of ice. New plumbing may cause ice to be discolored or have poor flavor. Discard ice made during the first 24 hours.

DOOR REMOVAL AND REVERSAL INSTRUCTIONS:

• NOTE: If your refrigerator is a stainless steel model, reversing the doors is not possible unless you order new doors from the factory. The direction in which your refrigerator doors open can be reversed by moving the door hinges from one side to the other. Reversing the door swing should be performed by a qualified person.
• IMPORTANT: Before you begin, turn the refrigerator temperature control to “0” and remove the electrical power cord from the wall outlet.

1. Remove any food from door shelves.
2. Remove the top hinge with a 3/8″ hex driver and lift the freezer door off of the center hinge pin. Set the door aside.
3. Unscrew the center hinge pin using an adjustable wrench and save it for reassembly. Ensure the plastic washer stays on the hinge pin.
4. Lift the refrigerator door off of the bottom hinge and set aside.
5. Remove the center hinge and shim by removing the inside screw and loosening two outside screws enough to allow the hinge and shim to slide out. Tighten screws.
6. Loosen two outside screws on the opposite side of the refrigerator, and remove the inside screw and install the center hinge.
7. Remove two screws on a bottom hinge with a 3/8″ socket wrench.
8. Install the bottom hinge on the opposite side with the two screws removed from step 7.
9. Unscrew the bottom hinge pin using an adjustable wrench: Move the hinge pin to other holes in the hinge and tighten it with an adjustable wrench.
10. Reverse door handles (see instructions on next page).
11. Move the freezer and refrigerator door to the opposite side. Before starting screws, use an awl to puncture the foam.
12. Position the refrigerator door onto the bottom hinge pin and screw the center hinge pin through the center hinge into the top of the door: Close the refrigerator door to help align the hinge hole.
13. Tighten the center hinge pin with an adjustable wrench.
14. Remove cabinet and hinge hole plugs and move to opposite side.
15. Lower the freezer door onto the center hinge pin.
16. Close the freezer door. Have an assistant lift up on the opposite side of the door while tightening screws to install the op hinge.
17. Replace the toe grille and top hinge cover.
18. Plug in the electrical power cord and turn the refrigerator temperature control to the center position. Adjust the setting as necessary.

TO REMOVE REFRIGERATOR HANDLE:

(Handles may be easier to reverse while doors are off.)

1. Remove two screws attaching the handle to the top of the refrigerator door.
2. Swing the top of the handle away from the door and slide the handle down and off of the dovetail button.
3. Remove the screw and dovetail button and install them on the other side, moving hole plugs from corresponding holes to opposite sides.

TO ATTACH REFRIGERATOR HANDLE:

1. Start with the handle offset away from the door: Place the bottom of the handle over the dovetail button, swing the handle into an upright position, and pull upward, locking it into place.
2. Secure the top of the handle with screws.

TO ATTACH TRIM:

1. Slide both trim locks out of the trim.
2. Insert new adhesive trim locks contained in your literature pack.
   • NOTE: The trim lock must be removed and installed by sliding over the two donut-shaped areas.
3. Install trim to handle by siding over the base of the handle: Carefully align trim and press down at trim lock locations.
4. Replace the hole plug on the opposite side. Use rubbing alcohol to remove any adhesive residue from old trim lock locations.

Features At A Glance

Looking Inside

DOOR STORAGE

• Door bins, shelves, and racks are provided for convenient storage of jars, bottles, and cans. Frequently used items can be quickly selected.
• Some models have door racks or bins that can accommodate gallon-sized plastic drink containers and economy-sized jars and containers. Some racks are adjustable for maximum storage capacity.
• The dairy compartment, which is warmer than the general food storage section is intended for short-term storage of cheese, spreads..or butter.

ADJUSTABLE DOOR BINS

Some models have adjustable door bins that can be moved to suit individual needs. To move door bins

1. Lift the bin straight up.
2. Remove bin.
3. Place the bin in the desired position.
4. Lower bin onto supports until locked in place

Ice Service

• If your refrigerator has an automatic ice maker it will provide a sufficient supply oface for normal use During the initial y startup of your refrigerator.
  however, no lice will be produced during the first 24 hours of operation. Automatic ice makers are also optional accessories that may be installed in most models at any time, Call your local dealer for information. The ice maker produces 2 to 5 pounds of ice every 24 hours depending on
  usage conditions. Ice is produced at a rate of 8 cubes every 80 to 160 minutes.

TURNING YOUR ICE MAKER ON

After the plumbing connections have been completed; the water supply valve must be opened. Place the ice container under the rice maker, pushing it as far back as possible. Lower the wire signal arm to its “down or ON position. New plumbing connections may cause the first production of ice cubes to be discolored or have an odd flavor. These first cubes should be discarded until the cubes produced are free of discoloration and taste.

Normal Operating Sounds & Sights

UNDERSTANDING THE SOUNDS YOU MAY HEAR

• Your new high-efficiency refrigerator may make unfamiliar sounds. These are all normal sounds and soon will become familiar to you: They also indicate your
  refrigerator is operating as designed: Hard surfaces, such as vinyl or wood floors, walls and kitchen cabinets may make sounds more noticeable. Listed below are descriptions of some of the most common sounds you may hear, and what is causing them.
  • NOTE: Rigid foam insulation is very energy efficient, but is not a sound insulator.
• A. Evaporator
• The flow of refrigerant through the evaporator may create a boiling or gurgling sound.
• B. Evaporator Fan
• You may hear air being forced through the refrigerator by the evaporator fan.
• C. Defrost Heater
• During defrost cycles: water dripping onto the defrost heater may cause a hissing or sizzling sound. After defrosting, a popping sound may occur.
  • IMPORTANT: During the automatic defrost cycle, you may notice a red glow in the vents on the back wall of your freezer compartment. This is normal during the defrost cycle.
• D. Automatic Ice Maker
• If your refrigerator is equipped with an automatic ice maker, you will hear ice cubes falling into the ice bin.
• E. Cold Control & Defrost Timer/Automatic Defrost Control
• These parts can produce a snapping or clicking sound when turning the refrigerator on and off. The timer also produces sounds similar to an electric clock.
• F. Condenser Fan
• If condenser coils are located underneath your refrigerator as shown in the drawing at the left, you have a condenser fan. You may hear air being forced through the condenser by the condenser fan.
• G. Compressor
• Modern; high-efficiency compressors operate much faster than older models. The compressor may have a high-pitched hum or pulsating sound.
• H. Water Valve
• If your refrigerator is equipped with an automatic ice maker, you will hear a buzzing sound as the water valve opens to fill the ice maker during each cycle.
• I. Drain Pan (Nonremovable)
• You may hear water running into the drain pan during the defrost cycle. The drain pan will be located on top of the compressor for air-cooled condensers (black coils on the back of the refrigerator).
• J. Condenser Coils (Fan-cooled models only)

Care & Cleaning

NOTES:

• Turning the refrigerator temperature control to “0 turns off the compressor, but does not disconnect electrical power to the light bulb or other electrical components. Do not use razor blades or other sharp instruments that can scratch the appliance surface when removing adhesive labels. Any glue left from tape or labels can be removed with a mixture of warm water and mild detergent, of; touch the glue residue with the sticky side of tape you have already removed. Do not remove the serial plate.

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Kenmore 253 French Door Refrigerator-FAQs