GE Refrigerator will not stop running!

Question

GE Refrigerator

Repair guides, troubleshooting information, and service help for refrigerators manufactured by General Electric (GE).

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Mr. LakeShow @mrlakeshow

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crwdns2931729:0crwdne2931729:0: Dzi 8, 2025

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GE Refrigerator will not stop running!

I bought this fridge 4yrs ago and it has been nothing but problems.

Model: GSS25IGNRHWW

About a year and a half ago, I noticed the evaporator fan in my GE fridge would pulse with a loud revving sound. After some research, everything pointed to a faulty main board—apparently a very common issue with GE models (tons of posts online). I contacted GE and got a replacement board.

By the time the board arrived, the issue had mysteriously resolved itself, so I decided to hold off on replacing it.

Fast forward to yesterday: the fan started making that same pulsating noise again. Later in the day, I noticed the fridge kept running non-stop, even after reaching the set temperature (mine is set to 2°F/38°F). It dropped to 0°F/37°F but still wouldn’t shut off. The only way to stop it was to unplug it for a minute. That would pause it for 20–30 minutes before the compressor and fan kicked back on and stayed on indefinitely—until I unplugged it again.

Figuring it was time, I finally installed the replacement main board today—but unfortunately, the issue persists. The fridge still hits the target temp (even lower), but it just won’t stop running.

Any ideas?

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jayeff @jayeff

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crwdns2931729:0crwdne2931729:0: Dzi 9, 2025

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Hi @mrlakeshow

Here's the mini manual for the model.

Run the Service mode > thermistor self test (FZ=0 FF=7) procedure as described by the manual to make sure that all the thermistors are OK. The thermistors monitor the temperature in the compartments and when the preset lower limit temperatures have been achieved, they should signal the control board to turn the compressor off.

If you find the problem and it is due to a faulty part that needs replacing, here's the parts list that is useful. Locate the wanted part in the list and note the manufacturer's part number that is shown with it. Search online for the part number only, to find suppliers that suit you best.

Note: FZ =Freezer section, FF = Refrigerator section

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Hi there, thanks for the reply and providing the manual. I was able to run the self-test on the thermistors, I think it counted to 4 with P in front of numbers. I guess all the thermistors passed.

So yesterday, after unplugging the fridge for a few hours and plugging it back in, the revving of the evap fan came back. So the main board swap did not resolve the issue. I then decided to leave the fridge unplugged overnight, hoping maybe there was ice buildup on the fan, and it would melt off overnight. I plugged it back in after 8.5 hours, and the fan was not revving up and down. However, as soon as I entered service mode, the fan started revving up again. Might be a coincidence or something going on voltage-wise?

crwdns2934271:0Dzi 9, 2025crwdnd2934271:0 Mr. LakeShow crwdne2934271:0

@mrlakeshow

Maybe run all the tests and check if they all pass or if there are some failures.

Also the manual shows the voltages for the evaporator fan. Maybe test them as well - see p.2

crwdns2934271:0Dzi 9, 2025crwdnd2934271:0 jayeff crwdne2934271:0

So the fridge is acting even stranger now. I plugged it in around 6:30 AM this morning. At that time the temps were showing 26/54. I just noticed the fridge has stopped cooling and all fans were off. The temps showed 24/45. I unplugged it, waited 1 min, plugged it back in, and now the temps are showing 0/44 (I have it set to 2/38)

crwdns2934271:0Dzi 9, 2025crwdnd2934271:0 Mr. LakeShow crwdne2934271:0

OK, it's back and running again, and showing temps of 18/48. So strange.

crwdns2934271:0Dzi 9, 2025crwdnd2934271:0 Mr. LakeShow crwdne2934271:0

I checked the temps with a digital thermometer. The temp in the freezer is off by 6-7 degrees, temp readout on the fridge is showing the freezer temp higher than the thermometer, while the temp in the fridge side is spot on with the thermometer.

I think that thermistor in the freezer really is bad.

crwdns2934271:0Dzi 9, 2025crwdnd2934271:0 Mr. LakeShow crwdne2934271:0

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Hi there, thanks for the reply and providing the manual. I was able to run the self-test on the thermistors, I think it counted to 4 with P in front of numbers. I guess all the thermistors passed.

So yesterday, after unplugging the fridge for a few hours and plugging it back in, the revving of the evap fan came back. So the main board swap did not resolve the issue. I then decided to leave the fridge unplugged overnight, hoping maybe there was ice buildup on the fan, and it would melt off overnight. I plugged it back in after 8.5 hours, and the fan was not revving up and down. However, as soon as I entered service mode, the fan started revving up again. Might be a coincidence or something going on voltage-wise? — Mr. LakeShow
@mrlakeshow

Maybe run all the tests and check if they all pass or if there are some failures.

Also the manual shows the voltages for the evaporator fan. Maybe test them as well - see p.2 — jayeff
So the fridge is acting even stranger now. I plugged it in around 6:30 AM this morning. At that time the temps were showing 26/54. I just noticed the fridge has stopped cooling and all fans were off. The temps showed 24/45. I unplugged it, waited 1 min, plugged it back in, and now the temps are showing 0/44 (I have it set to 2/38) — Mr. LakeShow
OK, it's back and running again, and showing temps of 18/48. So strange. — Mr. LakeShow
I checked the temps with a digital thermometer. The temp in the freezer is off by 6-7 degrees, temp readout on the fridge is showing the freezer temp higher than the thermometer, while the temp in the fridge side is spot on with the thermometer.

I think that thermistor in the freezer really is bad. — Mr. LakeShow

GE Refrigerator

GE Refrigerator will not stop running!

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