Top 10 Maytag MSD2454G Side by Side Refrigerator Questions & Answers

to reset the change filter light:
Press hold the LIGHT and LOCK pads until the CHANGE FILTER light blinks (approx. 3 sec.)
Dispenser lock:
to interrupt power to the water and ice dispenser so it cannot be used , press the lock pad 3 times within 10 seconds.

That's the defrost heater. The defrost sensor has failed. The freezer has to be taken apart to find the sensor. It is usually round, with a couple of wires going to it.

The icemaker use an avaporator system with an heatinc coil and a fan to release cubes.

In your case either the heating coil or the fan in the icemaker must be replaced.

parts can be purchased from partselect.com.

could be a leaky water valve

HI. This may be a drain pan issue.


The drain pan should be removed and cleaned at least once a year. The drain pan is located at the bottom of the refrigerator behind the front grill. Remove the grill, which snaps into place. Grasp the drain pan while pulling slightly upward and forward.

Clean the pan with warm soapy water or warm water and baking soda.

If the pan rattles when it is replaced, it is too close to the compressor. Simply reposition the tray.

If you have an ice-maker, check the water supply hose going into and coming out of the water inlet valve. The hoses may be loose here.

Hi, With the information you supplied i'm going to assume there is an ice build up at the rear of the freezer. Your problem is going to be with your defrost system. I will also assume you have the ability to repair this yourself. This is going to be one of three problems with your refridgerator, 1st thing to do is remove shelfs and panel in the back of the freezer...you should see ice build up on the evaporator...don't worry get a hair dryer and melt the ice. Next locate the wires for the heater...using a multi meter test the heater for condinuity...if the heater is bad replace it, If the heater is good replace the defrost thermostat..the stat normally is a barrel looking part clipped onto the evaporator pipe. The last possible problem could be the evaporator fan, have you heard the fan running in the past few hours..if you are not sure pull the panel out to where you can see fan and watch it over an hour to see if it turns. I have included links with pictures of what the parts you need to check are: http://romulusappliance.com/manufacturers/maytag/refrigerators/575432.JPG defrost stat http://www.hotekalliance.com/UploadFiles/2008627111553382.jpg heaters http://www.applianceblog.com/archives/EvapMotor1018185.jpg evap fan. Hope this helps. If you have any other questions please feel free to comment again. If you decide to get a repair guy in should not cost you any more then $120 - $200 depending on make/model/problem Good luck!

The defrost drain hole in the bottom of the freezer has frozen over. Turn off the fridge. Remove the shelves and bins. Remove the rear panel of the freezer. You will see ice on the bottom rear of the freezer. Use a hair dryer to melt the ice,especially in the drain hole once you get through the surface ice. Once the drain hole is clear,pour a cup of hot water through the drain hole followed by 1/4 cup bleach. Re-install your parts and turn the fridge back on.

It may cut off by it's self. Your defrost timer is part 13 on this diagram. http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/getSubComp.pd?diagramPageId=00002&documentId=M0310055&modelNumber=MSD2454GRQ&productCategoryId=0165000&brandId=3048&modelName=&blt=11 I would turn the timer till the compressor started running again. This should cut the defrost heater off. The timer should stay in defrost mode for only about 20 minutes. The timer may be the problem. Here's an explanation of the defrost. The evaporator coil behind the cover on the back wall inside the freezer will ice up under normal conditions. Every 8 to 10 hours for around 20 minutes the defrost timer (or in most newer models the electronic adaptive defrost control) will turn the defrost heater on to melt the built up ice. There is a defrost thermostat which prevents the heater from overheating the freezer by breaking the heater circuit when the temp reaches close to 32 degrees F. The entire cooling system shuts off during the defrost cycle and starts back when the timer advances through the cycle.

If this ice is not melted it will continue to build up until the air can’t flow over the coil to circulate the cold air through the freezer and into the fridge. The temperature change in the fridge is usually noticed first followed by the freezer.

If the defrost thermostat is bad it can prevent the heater from coming on OR it won’t turn the heater off when it gets too warm. It is clamped to the evaporator coil at the top to sense the temp. If it appears to be misshapen it is bad.
With an ohm meter it should show continuity when cold and none when warm.
You can also bypass the thermostat to see if the heater comes on then. If it does then you know the thermostat is bad and needs replaced.

The defrost heater is located on the evaporator. It is in a tube which is at the bottom and can also go up the sides of the evaporator. On some types you can see a burnt spot if it’s bad. With an ohm meter it should show continuity from end to end when disconnected from the wiring in the freezer. You can also test the wiring for voltage when it’s in the defrost mode.

If you have a defrost timer you can test it. It can be located under the fridge behind the kick panel on the front. Some are in the fridge with the controls at the top. You can turn the defrost timer till it clicks and everything shuts down. The heater should now come on. If it does, replace the timer because that means the timer is not running. If it doesn't, check the heater and defrost thermostat. Turn the timer again till everything starts back up to end the defrost cycle.


If you have an adaptive defrost control instead of a timer, replace it if the heater and thermostat test good. It is located in the fridge with the controls in some models and on the back in others.

For some refrigerator models featuring
water filters, the Water Filter Change
Reminder function monitors the life of the
filter and provides a reminder when it is time
for the filter to be changed.
When the system detects either 12 months
of usage, or the filtering of 416 gallons of
water (whichever comes first), the CHANGE
FILTER indicator light will illuminate. This
indicates that the water filter should be
changed and the light reset.
To reset CHANGE FILTER light: Press and
hold the LIGHT and LOCK pads until the
CHANGE FILTER light blinks (approx. 3
seconds). The control is now reset for 12
months or another 416 gallons.
Note: The Water Filter Reminder will
operate if the filter bypass is in place.

Clean the drain pan and drain line in the back of the freezer section underneath the evaporator coil. (hint: use turkey baster with hot water) Make sure water drains when you pour it in. If it doesn't - also clean drain tube on the back of the unit behind the cover. When done - put the tube exactly where it was.
Good luck! :)

Vlad
First Choice Appliance