refridgerator - sometimes cold, sometimes not

[kentry]

hi,
i have a Hotpoint Refridgerator, bought around 1999/2000. this fridge is acting up. It seems sometimes it won't stay cold for some reason. I've had ice creams melt and no ice in the freezer. Food has spoiled in the main fridge.

Currently it works fine. So sometimes it works and sometimes not. I've cleaned the coils under and behind. Anything else to do?

TIA,
ken

[BonesandFeathers]

My first inspiration would be the defrost timer is sticking, in defrost, for too long. Now a days the defrost timers are set to go off after eight or so hours of compresor run time. So the failure will be apparently random as the eight hours of run time will vary in accumulation time.
Maybe the defrost timer isn't going into defrost all the time and is collecting frost, insulating the evaporator so the cold doesn't get out. I can't tell w/o having my heaad in the box.
Sears dot com will probabl have an illustration of where the def/timer and thermostat are. Also the def timers are available at most parts places. When in doubt take the part with you to reduce/eliminate problems.
Questions?
PAul