GE PDS22xxP series How to use

PUB # 31-9112 1/04
MODEL SERIES:
TECHNICALSERVICE GUIDE
2003 Electronic Bottom-Mount
Refrigerators
GE Consumer & Industrial
GBS22_ _P
GBS20_ _P
PDS22_ _P
PDS20_ _P

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IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE
The information in this service guide is intended for use by
individuals possessing adequate backgrounds of electrical,
electronic, and mechanical experience. Any attempt to repair a
major appliance may result in personal injury and property
damage. The manufacturer or seller cannot be responsible for the
interpretation of this information, nor can it assume any liability in
connection with its use.
WARNING
To avoid personal injury, disconnect power before servicing this
product. If electrical power is required for diagnosis or test
purposes, disconnect the power immediately after performing the
necessary checks.
RECONNECT ALL GROUNDING DEVICES
If grounding wires, screws, straps, clips, nuts, or washers used
to complete a path to ground are removed for service, they must
be returned to their original position and properly fastened.
GE Consumer & Industrial
Technical Service Guide
Copyright © 2004
All rights reserved. This service guide may not be reproduced in whole or in
part in any form without written permission from the General Electric Company.

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Airflow (CabinetInterior).................................................................................................................. 6
Air Flow Tower and Damper ........................................................................................................ 11
Component Locator Views ............................................................................................................ 9
Components................................................................................................................................ 10
Control Diagnostics ..................................................................................................................... 18
Control Features ........................................................................................................................... 8
Diagnostics Chart ....................................................................................................................... 19
Doors ............................................................................................................................................ 4
Door Gaskets .............................................................................................................................. 17
Door Handles ................................................................................................................................ 4
Electronic Control Panel................................................................................................................ 8
Evaporator Fan ............................................................................................................................ 13
Evaporator Thermistor ................................................................................................................ 13
Evaporator Thermostat ............................................................................................................... 14
Freezer Drawer and Slides ......................................................................................................... 16
Fresh Food and Freezer Thermistors ......................................................................................... 12
Fresh Food and Freezer Light Thermostats ............................................................................... 15
Icemaker Ready Models .............................................................................................................. 12
Illustrated Parts Catalog .............................................................................................................. 24
Installation ..................................................................................................................................... 4
Knob (Encoder) ............................................................................................................................. 10
Knob (Encoder) Control Panel ........................................................................................................ 8
Nomenclature ................................................................................................................................ 7
Schematics ................................................................................................................................. 22
Strip Circuits ................................................................................................................................ 20
Technical Data ............................................................................................................................... 6
Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................................... 18
Warranty ...................................................................................................................................... 30
Water Filter ................................................................................................................................. 11
Table of Contents

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Door Handles
Removal and Replacement
Fresh Food Door
1. Lift the fresh food compartment door handle
firmly upward and off of the 2 door mounting
screws.
2. Reverse the above procedure to reinstall.
Note: The door handle can be installed
incorrectly. Make sure the curved side of the
handle is toward the outside edge of the door.
Freezer Door
1. Install 2 door mounting screws on the freezer
compartment door.
2. Insert the door handle onto the door mount
screws and pull the handle firmly to the left.
Note: The door handle can be installed
incorrectly. Make sure the handle is curved
upward and is locked in place. A properly installed
handle will be centered on the door.
Installation
Doors
The swing direction of the fresh food door and the
freezer door can be reversed on all models except
stainless steel.
Stainless steel models must be ordered as left or
right door swing.
1
2
2
1

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Troubleshooting Tips - Handle Installation
Problem Possible Causes What To Do
Mounting bolts too tight. Remove the handle. Loosen the mounting bolts
slightly so that the handle will snap into place
when installed.
Handle too hard to
install/Handle requires
excessive force to
install
Defective mounting bracket or
bolts.
Remove handle. Check for defective mounting
brackets or bolts. If defective, replace. Install
handle according to Installation Instructions.
Loose mounting bolts. If the handle installs properly (slides on and
locks/snaps into place) but is loose, remove the
handle and tighten the mounting bolts. Use a
10mm socket and ratchet or wrench. Do not use a
screwdriver as it will not provide enough torque
for proper tightening. Reinstall handle according
to Installation Instructions included with the
handle.
Loose handle/Handle
makes rattling noise at
attachment
Freezer handle is installed
backwards.
Remove handle. Check for correct mounting
brackets on the handle. There is a right bracket
(R) and a left bracket (L). The handle has the
word “RIGHT” printed in the bracket cavity. The
“R” bracket should be installed in the bracket
cavity marked “RIGHT”. The “L” bracket should
be installed on the opposite side. Reinstall handle
according to Installation Instructions.
Fresh Food handle is mounted upside
down or incorrectly relative to the
curve of the Fresh Food door.
Make certain that the arrow label on the handle
is pointing at the center of the unit. To verify, the
handle should look straight from a distance (not
slanted to the side).

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ELECTRICALSPECIFICATIONS
Temperature Control (Position 5)....................... 32 - 4°F
Defrost Control... 60 hrs @ 40 mins with no door opening
Overtemperature Thermostat....................... 140 - 110°F
Defrost Thermistor.................................................70°F
Electrical Rating: 115V. AC, 60 Hz.................1 - 5 Amp.
Maximum Current Leakage................................0.5 mA
Maximum Ground Path Resistance...............0.14 Ohms
Energy Consumption.......507 kWh/yr for 20 cu/ft models
Energy Consumption.......520 kWh/yr for 22 cu/ft models
NOLOADPERFORMANCE
Control Position: 5-5
And Ambient of:................................................... 90°F
Fresh Food, °F..................................................32 - 42
Frozen Food, °F.................................................. -5 - 5
Percent Running Time....................................... 45 - 65
REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
Minimum Compressor Capacity Vacuum.............. 22 in.
Minimum Equalized Pressure
@ 70°F ................................................... 38 PSIG
@ 90°F.................................................... 49 PSIG
Refrigerant - R - 134a...................................... 4.06 oz.
Compressor .............................................. 690 BTU/hr
INSTALLATION
Clearance must be provided at top, sides and rear of the
refrigerator for air circulation.
AT TOP............................................................. 1 inch
AT SIDES................................................... 0.125 inch
AT REAR.......................................................... 1 inch
Technical Data
Airflow (CabinetInterior)
The evaporator fan forces air through the
evaporator into the freezer compartment.
Air from the evaporator is also forced through the
electronic damper to the top of the air tunnel,
through the fresh food compartment, and returns
to the evaporator.
The fresh food compartment receives chilled air
through an electronic damper at the bottom, rear
of the fresh food compartment. The damper is
controlled by the main control board. When open,
the damper allows chilled air from the freezer to
move into the fresh food compartment.
Air returns from the fresh food compartment to the
freezer compartment via two vents located to the
left and right of the air tunnel.

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Serial Number
The first two characters of the serial number
identify the month and year of manufacture.
Example: AG123456S = January, 2004
A- JAN 2005 - H
D - FEB 2004 - G
F - MAR 2003 - F
G - APR 2002 - D
H - MAY 2001 - A
L - JUN 2000 - Z
M - JUL 1999 - V
R - AUG 1998 - T
S - SEP 1997 - S
T - OCT 1996 - R
V - NOV 1995 - M
Z - DEC 1994 - L
Nomenclature
Model Number
P D S 2 2 M C P A W W
BRAND/PRODUCT
G = GE
P = PROFILE (GE)
DEPTH/POWER
S = STANDARD
INTERIOR/SHELVES
H = UPGRADE GLASS
K = SPILL-PROOF GLASS
M = SPILL-PROOF/SLIDE-OUT GLASS
S = STAINLESS STEEL DOORS
ICEMAKER
B = ICEMAKER READY
C = FACTORY ICEMAKER
CONFIGURATION
B = DOOR
D = DRAWER
CUBIC FEET
20 or 22
MODELYEAR
P = 2003
ENGINEERING NOMENCLATURE
A = CONVERSION KIT
EXTERIOR COLOR
WW = WHITE/WHITE
SS = STAINLESS/STAINLESS
CC = BISQUE/BISQUE
BB = BLACK/BLACK
The letter
designating the
year repeats every
12 years.
Example:
T - 1974
T - 1986
T - 1998
Mini-Manual
(Behind Base Grille)
The nomenclature
plate is located on the
upper left wall of the
fresh food
compartment.
Nomenclature

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Control Features
Electronic Control Panel
Knob (Encoder) Control Panel

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Component Locator Views
Freezer Section
Machine Compartment
Fresh Food Section
Compressor Condenser
Water Valve
Air Flow Tower
Damper (Inside Tower)
Lights and
Thermostat
Thermistor
Filter
Control Panel
Icemaker (When Installed)
Thermistor
Evaporator
Thermostat
(Behind Panel) Evaporator
(Behind Panel)
Evaporator
Thermistor
(Behind Panel)
Light and Thermostat
Condenser Fan Motor

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3. There are 3 posts inserted into the liner ceiling
holding the front of the control in place. Firmly
pull the control housing down at the front edge
to release the posts. Pull the housing towards
the front to release the tabs in the back.
Note: The foam may be holding the posts and
tabs in the liner.
6. Unplug the connector from the control board.
7. Press the tab on the door switch and push the
switch through the hole in the control panel
housing.
4. Unplug the fresh food light connector from the
compartment ceiling.
5. The fresh food light housing is held in place by
4 tabs. Press the tabs to remove the housing.
Components
Knob(Encoder)
Electronic and mechanical control panels are
removed in the same manner.
Removal and Replacement
1. Remove the fresh food light cover.
2. Remove the 2 screws that hold the rear of the
control housing to the liner ceiling.
Connector
Door Switch

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3. Unplug the connector; then remove the air flow
tower.
Water Filter
On ice maker models, the water filter is located in
the upper, right corner of the fresh food
compartment. The water filter should be changed
every 6 months.
To access the water filter, press the tab on the
front of the water filter cover and allow the cover to
drop down.
Water Filter Part # GSWF
Turn the water filter counterclockwise to remove
and clockwise to install.
Screw
Bracket
Screw
Screw
Air Flow Tower and Damper
The air flow tower contains an internal damper.
The damper and tower are replaced as one unit.
Removal and Replacement
1. Remove the 2 screws on the top and bottom of
the center shelf bracket. Remove the bracket.
2. Remove the screw from the bottom of the air
flow tower. Lean the tower forward to access
the connector at the bottom of the tower.
Remove Install
Note: If a new filter is not available, a filter bypass
must be installed to supply unfiltered water to the
icemaker.
Filter bypass part # WR02X11613

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To remove the thermistor cover, insert a flat blade
screwdriver under the front of the cover and gently
lift the cover. Squeeze and lift the cover from the
bottom until it releases from the compartment wall.
The freezer thermistor is located on the rear of the
right hand wall in the freezer section.
Fresh Food and Freezer Thermistors
Icemaker Ready Models
The accessory icemaker can be purchased
through parts, part # IM6 or as a sales accessory,
part # IM4A through a dealer. The icemaker must
be installed with the fill tube shipped with the
refrigerator. The slot in the fill tube must be on top
of the tube.
The water fill tube is packaged with the use and
care manual in a plastic bag in the vegetable
drawer. The fill tube part number is WR02X11712.
Note: Fresh food and freezer thermistors are
removed in the same manner.
The fresh food thermistor is located on the ceiling
of the fresh food compartment behind the light
assembly.
Thermistor Values
Temperature
Degrees (F)
Resistance in
Kilo-Ohms
Temperature
Degrees (C)
-40 166.8 kΩ-40
-31 120.5 kΩ-35
-22 88 kΩ-30
-13 65 kΩ-25
-4 48.4 kΩ-20
5 36.4 kΩ-15
14 27.6 kΩ-10
23 21 kΩ-5
32 16.3 kΩ0
41 12.7 kΩ5
50 10 kΩ10
59 7.8 kΩ15
68 6.2 kΩ20
77 5 kΩ25
86 4 kΩ30
95 3.2 kΩ35
104 2.6 kΩ40
113 2.2 kΩ45
122 1.8 kΩ50
55 1.5 kΩ-40
60 1.2 kΩ-35

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Note: Some of the foam insulation may need to be
removed to expose the thermistor and wire.
Note: The thermistor must be inside the
thermistor cover but is not required to be inserted
back into the insulation or inside the cabinet frame.
Thermistor
When replacing the thermistor, cut the thermistor
wires and splice the new thermistor using bell
connectors as shown. Always use RTV102
silicone sealant to seal the end of the connector
from moisture.
Evaporator Fan
The evaporator fan is located above the evaporator
behind the rear panel of the freezer compartment.
The evaporator fan is held in place by 2 screws.
To access the fan, remove the drawers, shelves,
and icemaker (if installed) from the freezer
compartment. Remove the back panel.
The fan, motor, and mount come out as one unit.
Evaporator Thermistor
The evaporator thermistor is located on top of the
evaporator behind the rear panel of the freezer
compartment. The thermistor is held in place by a
tie strap.
To access the thermistor, remove the drawers,
shelves, and icemaker (if installed) from the
freezer compartment. Remove the back panel.
When replacing the thermistor, cut the thermistor
wires and splice the new thermistor using bell
connectors as shown. Always use RTV102
silicone sealant to seal the end of the connector
from moisture. Use a new tie strap to secure the
thermistor to the evaporator tubing.
Thermistor
Thermistor
Fan
Screws
Shown with Back Panel Removed
Shown with Back Panel Removed

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Thermo-
stat
Evaporator Thermostat
The defrost heater is controlled by the evaporator
thermistor and normally turns off at 70°F. If the
evaporator thermistor fails, the evaporator
thermostat will turn off the defrost heater at 140°F
and will reset at 110°F.
The evaporator thermostat is located on the top,
left side of the evaporator behind the back panel of
the freezer compartment.
To access the thermostat, remove the drawers,
shelves, and icemaker (if installed) from the
freezer compartment. Remove the back panel.
When replacing the thermostat, cut the thermostat
wires and splice the new thermostat using bell
connectors as shown. Always use RTV102
silicone sealant to seal the end of the connector
from moisture.
The thermostat is held in place by a spring tab. To
remove it, squeeze the tab.
Note: The resistance of the thermostat and defrost
heater can be taken by removing the access panel
located in the upper left section of the evaporator
cover. Remove the screw and pull the cover
forward to expose the two-wire connector. Unplug
the connector and read the resistance between the
two terminals. Since the thermostat and heater are
in series, the reading should be approximately
32 Ω.
Shown with Back Panel Removed
Screw
Connector
Ta b
Thermostat

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Note: To gain better access to the thermostat, pull
the housing down until there is enough room to
remove the thermostat.
Fresh Food and Freezer Light
Thermostats
Fresh Food Light Thermostat
The fresh food light thermostat interrupts power to
the fresh food lights when the temperature
reaches 175°F. Power is restored when the
thermostat temperature cools to 155°F.
The thermostat is located on the back of the fresh
food light housing.
To access the thermostat, remove the control
panel (see Control Panel). The thermostat is held
in place by 2 screws.
Freezer Light Thermostat
The freezer flight thermostat interrupts power to
the freezer lights when the temperature of the disk
reaches 175°F. Power is restored when the
thermostat temperature cools to 155°F.
The thermostat is located behind the freezer light
housing.
To access the thermostat, remove the freezer light
cover and housing. The housing is held in place by
5 screws.
When replacing the thermostat, cut the thermostat
wires and splice the new thermostat using bell
connectors as shown. Always use RTV102
silicone sealant to seal the end of the connector
from moisture.
Screws
Screws
Thermostat
Thermostat

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4. The tabs on the side of the drawer rails fit into
the front slots of the guide rails. Lift the drawer
by the handle to separate the drawer rails from
the guide rails.
Freezer Drawer and Slides
Removal and Replacement
1. Open the freezer drawer until it stops.
2. The bottom basket rests on a frame inside the
freezer drawer. To remove it, lift the basket
from the back and slide it toward the freezer
compartment.
3. Remove the single Phillips-head screw on
each side of the rail.
Note: Do not remove the hex-head screws from
the rail assemblies.
5. Set the drawer on a non-scratching surface.
6. Remove the middle basket, top basket, ice tray
shelf, and ice bin.
7. The center rail assembly is held in place by a
molded channel in the freezer ceiling and
notches in the metal support rails. Remove the
center rail assembly by pressing down on the
metal support rails while rotating the bottom
edge of the center rail assembly.
Center Rail Assembly
Support Rails
8. To remove the metal support rails, press the
tabs on the plastic support housing.
9. Remove the 3 Phillips screws that hold the
plastic support housing in place.

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10. Pull the front edge of the plastic support
housing away from the side wall. Pull the
housing forward to disengage the rear tabs.
Note: The plastic housing may be tight against
the side wall, and the tabs may be foamed in
place. Some force may be required to remove it.
11. To remove the guide rails from the plastic
support housing, lift the tab on the back side of
the housing with a small flathead screwdriver.
Freezer Drawer Shim
If the drawer is not sealing correctly and the gasket
is not damaged, the door alignment can be
adjusted.
Remove the Phillips screws holding the rail
connector to the drawer front. Using the necessary
number of stainless steel washers, shim the
drawer to provide the correct alignment.
Door Gaskets
The door gaskets are fitted tightly into the door
channel. They should not be removed unless they
need to be replaced.
Note: When replacing a gasket, a wide blade
screw driver may be necessary to remove the
gasket.
Drawer Front
Rail Connector
Washer
Gasket
Channel
Pull Out

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Troubleshooting
1. Enter the diagnostic mode by pressing both
the freezer temperature (COLDER and WARMER)
pads and the refrigerator temperature (COLDER
and WARMER) pads simultaneously.
Note: All four pads must be held for approximately
3 seconds. Blinking "0's" in both displays indicate
the refrigerator has entered the test mode.
3. Press and release any pad other than the
temperature pads to active the test mode.
4. Enter the display numbers as shown in the
diagnostics chart on the next page for the test
desired.
5. Press and release any pad other than the
temperature pads to active the test mode.
Note: Selected models have limited test capability.
See the COMMENTS column in the Diagnostics
Chart on the next page for clarification.
Control Diagnostics
A diagnostic aid can be assembled which consists
of a control board, membrane and wiring harness.
The parts required are WR55X10120,
WR55X10068 and WX05X14999.
The control diagnostics allow the technician to
functionally test individual components to aid in
troubleshooting.
On the electronic bottom mount models, the
diagnostics are performed by removing the
existing temperature control board and plugging in
the diagnostic aid or by accessing the main board
on the back of the refrigerator and plugging into the
J4 connector.
Enter the appropriate display numbers
as shown below and press any pad other
than the temperature pads to activate
that test mode. Not all test modes are
available on all models.
0FISRECOMMENDED
ADJUST FREEZER TEMP
CO LDER W A RM ER
SET RESET W H EN LIT
HOLD
3SECS
SET
ExpressTha w SelectTempExpressChill
Custom
Cool
COLDER W ARM ER
ADJUST REFRIGERATOR TEMP
37 F IS RECO M M ENDED SET
15 M IN
30 M IN
45 M IN
0.5 LB S
1.5 LB S
3.0 LB S
CITRUS
PRODUC E
MEAT
REPLACE FreshSaver FILTE R
Connector
Note: Refrigerators with an electronic temperature
control must have the control disconnected before
attempting the diagnostics test from the main
control board.

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Diagnostics Chart
Condenser Fan Noise
Symptom: Loud airflow noise coming from the
condenser fan compartment.
Problem: The plenum is bent out of position due to
the screw tab being tightened at an angle.
Solution: Release the tension off the plenum by
loosening the screw tab. Straighten the plenum to
the proper position around the fan blade. Tighten
the screw so the tab is straight.
Plenum
Screw Tab
Photo Shown with Plenum in the Bent Position

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Damper
Condenser and Evaporator Fan
3-Wire Electronic Temperature Control
Strip Circuits
6-Wire Encoder Temperature Control
Thermistors