GE Side-by-Side Refrigerator Service Mode and Test Modes (22, 23 and 25 Cu. Ft.)
We typed this up from the Technical Data sheet (pub. no. 31-1000505, Rev. 2) that came with a GE side-by-side refrigerator, model GZS22IYNRHFS, during amain control board repair in Palm Harbor. The sheet says it covers GE side-by-side models of 22, 23 and 25 cubic feet. Check the sheet that came with yours, since test numbers can differ by model.
This is service technician information. The sheet warns of an electrical shock hazard and says repairs must be done by a qualified service professional, with power disconnected before servicing. If you're not trained for that, call a technician.
Entering service mode
- Press any of the temperature adjustment buttons to wake the dispenser board.
- Press and hold all 4 temperature adjustment buttons for 3 seconds.
- The display flashes 00 00 to show that service mode has been entered.
- In service mode the FZ display is the tens digit and the FF display is the ones digit. The Colder (down) buttons decrease the digit and the Warmer (up) buttons increase it.
- Press any button other than a temperature adjust button to enter the test you picked.
- You have to select a test within 30 seconds, or service mode times out and the refrigerator goes back to normal.
- Once a test is selected, the test number flashes in the display for 3 seconds to confirm.
To leave a test, press one of the four temperature adjust keys. To exit service mode, select test 16. Service mode also exits on its own after 15 minutes of inactivity.
Entering demo mode
Press any temperature adjustment button to wake the dispenser board, then press and hold the FF Warmer and FZ Colder buttons for 3 seconds. A single beep means demo mode has been entered. To exit demo mode, unplug the refrigerator or cycle the power. You can also enter demo mode through service mode (test 01).
Test modes
The first number is the FZ display and the second is the FF display.
| FZ / FF | Mode | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 0 / 1 | Demo mode | All dispenser functions operate normally but the refrigerator won't cool. The dispenser board stays lit, with no 10-second timeout. |
| 0 / 2 | Display dispenser board software version | Shows the software version of the dispenser board. |
| 0 / 3 | Display main control software version | Shows the software version of the main board. |
| 0 / 4 | Dispenser to main board communications test | Queries the main board and shows P (pass) or F (fail) on the FZ display. |
| 0 / 6 | Dispenser self test | All LEDs and numeric segments light up, and the displays first show 8888. The FF and FZ temperature adjust buttons increment and decrement the displays, and the buttons toggle the LED they're tied to. To exit, press and hold FF up and FF down for 3 seconds. |
| 0 / 7 | Thermistor self test | Checks every thermistor. The test stops flashing and thermistor numbers 1 to x show on the leftmost display. For each one, the rightmost display shows P = pass, O = open thermistor circuit, F = fail, S = short. Numbers: 1 = FF1 thermistor, 2 = FF2 thermistor, 3 = FZ thermistor, 4 = evaporator thermistor, 5 = not applicable. |
| 0 / 8 | Open duct door | The dispenser duct door opens for 10 seconds, then closes. |
| 0 / 9 | Dispenser recess heater test | Turns the dispenser heater on for 60 seconds. |
| 1 / 0 | Open dampers | Each damper opens, pauses briefly, then closes. |
| 1 / 1 | Fan speed test | Cycles each fan for 5 seconds in this order: evaporator, fresh food (if present), condenser. |
| 1 / 2 | 100% run time | Runs the sealed system 100% of the time. Times out automatically after 1 hour. A refrigerant leak may make it exit this mode. |
| 1 / 3 | Enter pre-chill | Puts the freezer in pre-chill mode, like issuing a Force Prechill command to the main control. It returns to normal on its own. The command is ignored if the refrigerator is set to OFF or standby. |
| 1 / 4 | Toggle the state of defrost | Each time you press any dispenser board button other than the four temperature adjust buttons, the FZ defrost heater toggles. There's a 20-second delay before the heater turns on. If the evaporator thermistor reads above the defrost termination temperature, the heater won't turn on. |
| 1 / 5 | Refrigerator reset | Causes a soft reset of both the dispenser board and the main board. |
| 1 / 6 | Service mode exit | Causes a soft reset of the dispenser board. This doesn't end test modes the main board is running from the service diagnostics. To do that, use a refrigerator reset. |
Specifications
Temperature control
Recommended settings: fresh food 37°F, freezer 0°F.
Thermistor resistance
| Temperature | Resistance |
|---|---|
| 0°F | 42.5K Ω |
| 37°F | 14K Ω |
| 70°F | 5K Ω |
Thermostats and defrost
- FF light over-temperature thermostat: opens at 178°F ±5°F, closes at 155°F ±7°F.
- Defrost AC thermostat: opens at 140°F ±5°F, closes at 110°F ±7°F.
- Defrost termination temperature: 70°F.
- Defrost frequency (with no door openings): every 96 hours, for 40 minutes.
No load performance
- Compressor wattage: 55 to 65 watts.
- Control position: 0°F / 37°F.
- Run time at 70°F ambient: 40 to 50%.
- Run time at 90°F ambient: 50 to 70%.
Refrigerant charge (R134a)
| Models | Charge |
|---|---|
| 22 cu. ft. models | 4.75 oz (135 g) |
| 23 cu. ft. models | 4.25 oz (120 g) |
| 25 cu. ft. models | 4.25 to 4.5 oz (120 to 128 g) |
The electrical rating is 120 V AC, 60 Hz. The sheet says to see the rating plate for amps on the 22 to 25 cu. ft. models.
Air flow and fans
The sheet's air flow drawing shows a single evaporator in the freezer. The fan pulls air across it and sends cold air into the freezer, and a damper lets cold air into the fresh food section. The sheet marks cold air, mixed air and warmer air, and shows the evaporator, condenser, compressor and condenser fan in the base plate. Test 11 runs each of the fans in turn, and test 10 cycles the dampers.
Wiring diagram
The second page of the sheet is the wiring diagram. It shows the main control board with its connectors, the personality ID jumpers, the dispenser (display) board, thermistors (FF1, FF2, FZ and evaporator), the fresh food damper, the condenser fan and evaporator fan, the water valves, the ice maker, the auger, the fresh food and freezer lights, the defrost heater with its overload protector, and the compressor with its run capacitor and relay. The sheet also gives fan and damper test voltages: the fan control wires read 5 to 13.6 V DC, and the fresh food damper reads up to ±13.6 V. We haven't redrawn the diagram here, because it's too detailed to copy by hand without mistakes. Use the printed sheet or ask us.
Rather have someone else run the tests? We repair GE and other refrigerators around Palm Harbor, Oldsmar, Dunedin and nearby. See our refrigerator repair page or call(727) 599-9631.