My GE refrigerator in icy garage is not working. Why? And is it permanently damaged?

Question

This is an older, GE, two door, Upright model and has been working perfectly until the weather became very cold here in NJ.

Answer 1

This is from the GE Appliance website's KnowledgeBase...

Refrigerator - Installed Outdoors


Cold Temperatures:
We do not recommend installing a refrigerator where temperatures will go below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, the unit is less efficient and will continue to lose efficiency as the outdoor temperature decreases.
At 32 degrees, there is no cooling capability at all.

Note: It is not recommended that refrigerators be used in unheated locations, such as garages, porches, or unheated rooms during periods when the temperature is likely to fall below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.


Hot temperatures:
We do not recommend installing a refrigerator where the temperature will exceed 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

Note: There is a possibility that operating the refrigerator in extremely high temperature could cause the oil to overheat and break down, thus damaging the compressor or sealed system.
There is a possibility that some harm could come to the compressor or sealed system by operating the refrigerator at temperature extremes.
Below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the oil could become thick and not circulate properly.
Above 110 degrees Fahrenheit, the oil could overheat and break down.

Refrigeration systems rely on the boiling of freon under pressure and heat. If the outside temperature is not sufficient, the freon will not boil to a vapor and no cooling will take place. Low temperatures can also fool the thermostat into thinking proper temperatures have been reached. This is true of the new CFC-free refrigerants as well.

Answer 2

Refrigerator In Garage Cold Weather

Answer 3

A refridgerator makes things cold. If the weather is cold, it doesn't need to work. Why is it you think it is not working? Does the interior light come on? If so, it has power and is just cold enough inside that it doesn't need to come on. If the light does not come on, perhaps the power is off to the plugin. Since you said the "icy garage" I would put a thermometer inside the fridge and see what the temp is.

Answer 4

Refers are generally not designed to work in very cold ambient temperatures, such as you describe. For one thing it will not come on until the interior warms to a certain temperature, if it is colder than that, it assumes that everything is fine. Will it recover? Possibly. I would remove everything from it and see what happens when it warms up.