GE 12 Owner’s Manual
Refrigerators
Top-Mount No-Frost
Part No. 162D7742P005 Pub. No. 49-60044 350A4636P004 WR6M407 8-99 JR
Model 12
Owner’s Manual
GE Appliances
Customer Service Troubleshooting Tips
Operating Instructions
Safety InstructionsInstallation Instructions
Congratulations!
We’re proud of our quality products and we are
committed to providing dependable service. You’ll
see it in this easy-to-use Owner’s Manual and you’ll
hear it in the friendly voices of our customer service
department.
Best of all, you’ll experience these values each time
you use your refrigerator. That’s important, because
your new refrigerator will be part of your family for
many years. And we hope you will be part of ours for
a long time to come.
We appreciate your purchase, and hope you will
continue to rely on us whenever you need quality
appliances for your home.
A Service Partnership.
Safety Information
Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . .3
Use of Extension Cords . . . . . .3
How to Connect Electricity . . .4
Use of Adapter Plugs . . . . . . . .4
Operating Instructions
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5, 6
Ice Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Care and Cleaning . . . . . . . .6, 7
Installation Instructions
Preparing to
Install the Refrigerator . . . . . . .8
Reversing the Door Swing
.8–12
Troubleshooting Tips
Normal Operating Sounds . . .13
Before You
Call For Service . . . . . . . .13, 14
Customer Service
Warranty
for Canadian Customers . . . .15
Warranty
for U.S. Customers . . . . . . . . .16
Service Telephone
Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Product Registration . . . .19–20
FOR YOUR RECORDS
Write the model and serial numbers here:
#
#
You can find them on a label inside the refrigerator on the upper
left side wall.
Staple sales slip or cancelled check here.
Proof of the original purchase date is needed to obtain service
under the warranty.
Inside you will find many helpful hints on how to use and maintain
your refrigerator properly. Just a little preventive care on your part
can save you a great deal of time and money over the life of your
refrigerator.
READ THIS MANUAL
IF YOU NEED SERVICE
You’ll find many answers to common problems in the
Before You
Call For Service
section. If you review our chart of
Troubleshooting
Tips
first, you may not need to call for service at all.
If you do need service, you can relax knowing help is only a phone
call away. A list of toll-free customer service numbers is included in
the back section. Or,
in the U.S.,
you can always call the GE Answer
Center® at 800.626.2000, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
In Canada,
call 1-800-361-3400.
2
IMPORTANT!
Fill out and return the Consumer Product Registration Card that is
packed with this product. If you cannot find it, please send in the
duplicate card printed in the back of this section.
3
Customer ServiceTroubleshooting Tips
Operating Instructions
Safety Instructions Installation Instructions
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.
WARNING!
Use this appliance only for its intended purpose as described in this Owner’s Manual.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
When using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions should be followed, including the following:
■
■This refrigerator must be properly installed
and located in accordance with the Installation
Instructions before it is used.
■
■Do not allow children to climb, stand or hang
on the shelves in the refrigerator. They could
damage the refrigerator and seriously injure
themselves.
■
■Do not touch the cold surfaces in the freezer
compartment, particularly when hands are
damp or wet. Skin may stick to these extremely
cold surfaces.
■
■Do not store or use gasoline or other flammable
vapors and liquids in the vicinity of this or any
other appliance.
■
■In refrigerators with automatic icemakers,
avoid contact with the moving parts of the
ejector mechanism, or with the heating element
that releases the cubes. Do not place fingers or
hands on the automatic icemaking mechanism
while the refrigerator is plugged in.
■
■Keep fingers out of the “pinch point” areas;
clearances between the doors and between
the doors and cabinet are necessarily small.
Be careful closing doors when children are
in the area.
■
■Unplug the refrigerator before cleaning and
making repairs.
NOTE: We strongly recommend that any servicing be performed
by a qualified individual.
■
■Turning the control to the
OFF
position does
not remove power to the light circuit.
■
■Do not refreeze frozen foods which have
thawed completely.
PROPER DISPOSAL OF THE REFRIGERATOR
Child entrapment and suffocation are not problems
of the past. Junked or abandoned refrigerators are
still dangerous…even if they will sit for “just a few
days.” If you are getting rid of your old refrigerator,
please follow the instructions below to help prevent
accidents.
Before You Throw Away Your Old Refrigerator
or Freezer:
■Take off the doors.
■Leave the shelves in place so that children may
not easily climb inside.
CFC Disposal
Your old refrigerator has a cooling system that used
CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons). CFCs are believed to
harm stratospheric ozone.
If you are throwing away your old refrigerator, make
sure the CFC refrigerant is removed for proper
disposal by a qualified servicer. If you intentionally
release this CFC refrigerant you can be subject to
fines and imprisonment under provisions of the
Federal Clean Air Act.
USE OF EXTENSION CORDS
Because of potential safety hazards under certain conditions, we strongly recommend
against the use of an extension cord.
However, if you must use an extension cord, it is absolutely necessary that it be a UL-listed (in the United
States) or a CSA-listed (in Canada), 3-wire grounding type appliance extension cord having a grounding
type plug and outlet and that the electrical rating of the cord be 15 amperes (minimum) and 120 volts.
DANGER! RISK OF CHILD ENTRAPMENT
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Operating Instructions
Safety InstructionsInstallation InstructionsCustomer Service Troubleshooting Tips Installation Instructions Safety Instructions
Operating Instructions
Customer Service Troubleshooting Tips Installation Instructions Safety Instructions
Operating Instructions
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.
WARNING!
HOW TO CONNECT ELECTRICITY
Do not, under any circumstances, cut or remove the third (ground) prong from the power cord. For
personal safety, this appliance must be properly grounded.
The power cord of this appliance is equipped
with a 3-prong (grounding) plug which mates
with a standard 3-prong (grounding) wall outlet to
minimize the possibility of electric shock hazard
from this appliance.
Have the wall outlet and circuit checked by a
qualified electrician to make sure the outlet is
properly grounded.
Where a standard 2-prong wall outlet is
encountered, it is your personal responsibility and
obligation to have it replaced with a properly
grounded 3-prong wall outlet.
The refrigerator should always be plugged into its
own individual electrical outlet which has a voltage
rating that matches the rating plate.
This provides the best performance and also
prevents overloading house wiring circuits which
could cause a fire hazard from overheated wires.
Never unplug your refrigerator by pulling on the
power cord. Always grip plug firmly and pull straight
out from the outlet.
Repair or replace immediately all power cords that
have become frayed or otherwise damaged. Do not
use a cord that shows cracks or abrasion damage
along its length or at either end.
When moving the refrigerator away from the
wall, be careful not to roll over or damage the
power cord.
USE OF ADAPTER PLUGS
(Adapter plugs not permitted in Canada)
Because of potential safety hazards under certain conditions, we strongly recommend against
the use of an adapter plug.
However, if you must use an adapter, where local
codes permit, a
temporary connection
may be made
to a properly grounded 2-prong wall outlet by use
of a UL-listed adapter available at most local
hardware stores.
The larger slot in the adapter must be aligned with
the larger slot in the wall outlet to provide proper
polarity in the connection of the power cord.
When disconnecting the power cord from the
adapter, always hold the adapter in place with one
hand while pulling the power cord plug with the
other hand. If this is not done, the adapter ground
terminal is very likely to break with repeated use.
If the adapter ground terminal breaks,
DO NOT USE
the refrigerator until a proper ground has been
established.
Attaching the adapter ground terminal to a wall outlet
cover screw does not ground the appliance unless the
cover screw is metal, and not insulated, and the wall
outlet is grounded through the house wiring. You should
have the circuit checked by a qualified electrician to make
sure the outlet is properly grounded.
Read and follow this Safety Information carefully.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
Customer ServiceTroubleshooting Tips
Operating InstructionsSafety Instructions
Installation Instructions
About the control on the refrigerator.
Control Settings
The temperature control maintains the temperature in both the fresh food and freezer compartments.
Setting 1is the warmest setting and 9is the coldest. Moving the control to
OFF
stops cooling in both
areas—fresh food and freezer—but does not shut off power to the refrigerator.
How To Test Temperatures
Use the milk test for the fresh food compartment. Place a container of milk on the top shelf
and check it a day later. If the milk is too warm or too cold, adjust the temperature control.
Use the ice cream test for the freezer compartment. Place a container of ice cream in the
center of the freezer and check it after a day. If it’s too hard or too soft, adjust the
temperature control.
After changing the control, allow 24 hours for the refrigerator to reach the temperature you have set.
The temperature control on your refrigerator regulates the
temperature in the fresh food and freezer compartments.
Initially set the control at 5.
If you want colder or warmer temperatures, move the dial
one number at a time.
5
About the storage drawers.
Fruit and Vegetable Drawers
One or more storage drawers provide space to store
fruits, vegetables and meats.
Models with a single full-width drawer have a divider
to separate meats and vegetables. The divider can be
removed if a single large storage space is needed.
The drawer will stop before coming all the way out
of the refrigerator to help prevent contents from
spilling onto the floor. It can be removed easily
by lifting up slightly and pulling past the “stop”
position.
To replace the drawer and the cover above it, the
door must be fully opened. In some installations the
refrigerator may have to be moved away from the
wall for the door to be fully opened.
3
4
5
6
7
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Operating Instructions
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Operating Instructions
About ice service.
Care and cleaning of the refrigerator.
6
Icemaker Accessory Kit
An icemaker accessory kit is available from your dealer. Check the back of the
refrigerator for the specific icemaker kit needed for your model.
Water Supply Kits
Kits containing copper tubing, shutoff valve, fittings and instructions needed to
connect the icemaker to your cold water line are available at extra cost from your
dealer or from Parts and Accessories. In the U.S. call 800-626-2002. In Canada call
1-800-361-3400 and refer to kit numbers WX8X1 through WX8X4.
Ice Trays
To release ice cubes, turn the tray upside
down, hold it over a container, and twist
both ends.
For only one or two ice cubes, leave the
tray right-side up, twist both ends slightly,
and remove as many cubes as you want.
Wash ice trays in lukewarm water only—do not
put them in an automatic dishwasher.
Cleaning the Outside
Keep the outside clean.
Wipe with a clean
cloth lightly dampened with kitchen
appliance wax or mild liquid dish detergent.
Dry and polish with a clean, soft cloth.
Do not wipe the refrigerator with a soiled dish
cloth or wet towel. These may leave a residue
that can erode the paint. Do not use scouring
pads, powdered cleaners, bleach or cleaners
containing bleach because these products can
scratch and weaken the paint finish.
Protect the paint finish.
The finish on the
outside of the refrigerator is a high quality,
baked-on paint finish. With proper care, it
will stay new-looking and rust free for years.
Apply a coat of kitchen/appliance wax
when the refrigerator is new, and then at
least twice a year.
7
Customer ServiceTroubleshooting Tips
Operating InstructionsSafety Instructions
Installation Instructions
Cleaning the Inside
To help prevent odors,
leave an open box of
baking soda in the fresh food and freezer
compartments.
Unplug the refrigerator before cleaning.
If this
is not practical, wring excess moisture out of
sponge or cloth when cleaning around
switches, lights or controls.
Use warm water and baking soda solution—
about a tablespoon (15 ml) of baking soda
to a quart (1 l) of water. This both cleans
and neutralizes odors. Rinse and wipe dry.
Other parts of the refrigerator—including
door gaskets, fruit and vegetable drawers,
and all plastic parts—can be cleaned the
same way.
After cleaning the door gaskets, apply a thin
layer of petroleum jelly to the door gaskets
at the hinge side. This helps keep the
gaskets from sticking and bending out of
shape. Do not use cleansing powders or
other abrasive cleaners.
Defrost water pan.
The non-removable pan is
located under the compressor at the rear of
the refrigerator. It should be cleaned at
least once a year. Move the refrigerator out
from the wall as far as necessary, and unplug
the power cord from the wall outlet. Let the
compressor cool before cleaning the pan.
Use a clean cloth or sponge dampened in
warm water and baking soda solution—one
tablespoon (15 ml) of baking soda to a
quart (1 l) of water.
Do not use
cleansing
powders, abrasive cleaners, bleach or
cleaners containing chlorides.
Do not wash any plastic refrigerator parts in
the dishwasher.
Behind the Refrigerator
Once a year, move the refrigerator out and
vacuum the back coils. Be careful when
moving the refrigerator away from the wall.
All types of floor coverings can be
damaged, particularly cushioned coverings
and those with embossed surfaces.
Pull the refrigerator straight out and return
it to position by pushing it straight in.
Moving the refrigerator in a side direction
may result in damage to the floor covering
or refrigerator.
When pushing the refrigerator back, make sure
you don’t roll over the power cord.
Replacing the Light Bulb
Unscrew the burned-out bulb and replace it
with a standard 40-watt bulb.
Preparing for Vacation
For long vacations or absences, remove
food and unplug the refrigerator. Move
the control to the
OFF
position, and
clean the interior with a baking soda
solution of one tablespoon (15 ml) of
baking soda to one quart (1 l) of water.
Leave the doors open.
Preparing to Move
Secure all loose items such as grille, shelves and drawers by taping them securely
in place to prevent damage.
Be sure the refrigerator stays in an upright position during moving.
Customer Service Troubleshooting Tips
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Preparing to install the refrigerator.
8
To raise the refrigerator
Leveling Legs
Adjustable legs
at the front corners of the
refrigerator should be set so the refrigerator is firmly
positioned on the floor and the front is raised just
enough that the door closes easily when opened
about halfway.
To adjust the leveling legs,
turn the legs
clockwise to
raise
the refrigerator,
counterclockwise to lower
it.
About reversing the door swing.
Read these instructions completely and carefully.
Refrigerator Location
Do not install the refrigerator where the
temperature will go below 55°F (13°C) because
it will not run often enough to maintain proper
temperatures.
Install it on a floor strong enough to support it
fully loaded.
Do not install it closer than 5″(13 cm) next to a
range.
Clearances
Allow the following clearances for ease of
installation and proper air circulation.
Sides 1″ (25 mm)
Top 4″ (102 mm)
Back 3″(76 mm) from the rear cabinet surface
to the wall
To help with proper spacing and ventilation, make
sure the metal spacer or twist-on rubber bumper (at
the back of some models) is in place.
Before You Begin
When reversing the door swing:
■Read the instructions all the way through before
starting.
■Handle parts carefully to avoid scratching paint.
■Set screws down by their related parts to avoid
using them in the wrong places.
■Provide a non-scratching work surface for the
doors.
These instructions are for changing the hinges from the
right side to the left side.
If you ever want to change the hinges back to the
right side, follow these same instructions (merely
reverse all references to left and right).
Unplug the refrigerator from its electrical outlet.
Empty all door shelves, including the dairy
compartment.
What You Will Need
Tools required:
■Phillips screwdriver
■Putty knife or thin-blade screwdriver
■5/16″ hex head socket driver
■7/32″ hex head socket driver
Customer ServiceTroubleshooting Tips
Operating InstructionsSafety Instructions
Installation Instructions
9
Remove the Doors
Remove Freezer Door
CAUTION: Hold the door in place while
removing the top hinge to keep the door from
falling.
Remove the hinge cover.
Remove the top hinge, shim and two screws.
Set the door on a non-scratching surface with
the outside up.
NOTE: When removing the freezer door, washer(s)
between the center hinge and the door may stick to
the door. Do not lose.
c
b
a
Remove the Fresh Food Door
CAUTION: The door must be held in place to
keep it from falling.
Remove the hinge pin by turning it counterclockwise.
Lift up slightly on the door handle while pulling
the pin out of the center hinge.
Remove the door by opening it slightly while
lifting it straight up and out in order to clear the
center hinge and the bottom hinge pin.
Set the door on a non-scratching surface with
the outside up. Make sure the butter bin does
not swing open.
Replace the washer(s) on the bottom hinge if
they stick to the door.
CAUTION: Do not let either door drop to the
ground. To do so could damage the door stop.
e
d
c
b
a
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Operating Instructions
About reversing the door swing.
Reinstall Top Hinge on Left Side
Remove the plug buttons by carefully prying
under the edge with a putty knife. Be careful of
the paint finish.
Reinstall the plug buttons on the right side by
inserting them into the holes vacated by the top
hinge screws.
Reassemble the top hinge and shim on the left
side, turning the screws just enough to hold the
hinge in place.
b
a
Reverse Hardware on Cabinet
Be sure screws
go through these
holes for left side.
Plug Buttons
Transfer Bottom Hinge to the Left
Remove the bottom hinge, screws and shim(s) from
the right side and reassemble them on the left side
of the cabinet.
ATTENTION: The screws must be properly tightened.
Turn the screws until snug. Then tighten the screws a
minimum of one full turn using both hands.
Transfer Center Hinge to the Left
Remove the two screws on the opposite side.
Remove the center hinge, shim and screw(s).
Reassemble the center hinge on the left side.
CAUTION: When assembled correctly, the hinge is tight
against the cabinet.
ATTENTION: The screws must be properly tightened.
Turn the screws until snug. Then tighten the screws a
minimum of 1/2 turn using both hands.
c
b
a
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Transfer Fresh Food Door Handle to the Right
To remove the handle:
■Remove the plug button by carefully prying
under the edge with a putty knife.
■Remove the exposed screw holding the handle.
■Remove the two screws holding the handle to the
top of the door.
After removing the handle:
■Remove the screws from the right edge of the
door top and insert them into the handle screw
holes on the left side.
■Remove the plug button from the left edge of the
door and insert it into the hole on the opposite
side.
■Transfer the button on the door to the opposite
side.
Reinstalling the handle:
■Attach the handle to the right side of the door,
reversing the above procedure.
Reverse Door Handles
Transfer Door Stops
Plug Button
Plug Button
Handle Bottom
Handle Top
Screws for
handle holes
Button
Transfer Freezer Door Handle to the Right
■Remove the nameplate plug button by carefully
prying under the edge with a putty knife.
■Remove the exposed screw holding the handle.
■Remove the two screws holding the handle to the
bottom of the door.
■Remove the handle.
■Remove the door stops as shown below.
■Reverse the buttons and screw on top flange
of door.
■Transfer the button on door face to
opposite side.
■Attach the handle to the right side of the door,
reversing the above procedure.
Move the metal door stop on each door from the
right end to the left end.
Door Stop
Left Side Right Side
Washer Washer
11
Nameplate
Plug Button
Handle Bottom
Handle Top
12
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About reversing the door swing.
Rehang Fresh Food Door
Make sure the washer(s) are in place on the
bottom hinge pin.
Place the fresh food door on the bottom hinge
and position it under the center hinge. Drop the
hinge pin into the center hinge to hold the door
in place and tighten the screw.
b
a
Rehang Freezer Door
Place the washer(s) on the center hinge pin.
Place the freezer door on the center hinge over
the pin.
Raise the top hinge by hand and insert the pivot
pin into the hole in the door. Then swing the
door shut.
c
b
a
Align the Doors
Align the freezer door with the fresh food door
so that the gap between the doors is even.
Tighten the top hinge screws by turning them
until snug. Then turn the screws a minimum
of 1/2 turn using both hands.
b
a
Align the doors so that
the gap between them
is even.
Customer ServiceTroubleshooting Tips
Operating InstructionsSafety Instructions
Installation Instructions
Normal operating sounds.
Depending on the placement of the refrigerator in your kitchen,
you may want to place a piece of rubber backed carpet under
the refrigerator to reduce noise.
The new high efficiency compressor runs faster and will have a higher pitch hum
or pulsating sound while operating.
Defrost timer and refrigerator control click on and off.
The fan circulating air inside the freezer which keeps the temperatures
throughout.
Water dropping on the defrost heater causing a sizzling, hissing or popping
sound during the defrost cycle.
The flow of refrigerant through the freezer cooling coils sounds like boiling
water or a gurgling noise.
Cracking or popping of cooling coils caused by expansion and contraction
during defrost and refrigeration following defrost.
Water dripping as it melts from the evaporator and flows to the drain pan
during the defrost cycle.
These sounds are normal and are due mostly to highly efficient operation.
Before you call for service…
Troubleshooting Tips
Save time and money! Review the charts on the following
pages first and you may not need to call for service.
Problem Possible Causes What To Do
Refrigerator does not
Refrigerator in defrost cycle. • Wait about 30 minutes for defrost cycle to end.
operate
Control in
OFF
position. • Move the control to a temperature setting.
Refrigerator is unplugged. • Push the plug completely into the outlet.
The fuse is blown/circuit • Replace fuse or reset the breaker.
breaker is tripped.
Vibration or rattling
Front leveling legs need • See
Leveling Legs.
(slight vibration
adjusting.
is normal)
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