Kenmore 25344362502, 25344359408, 25344359406, 25344354408, 25344353406 Owner’s Manual

®

Side by Side Refrigerator

Use & Care Guide

Lado a Lado Refrigerador

Guia para su uso y cuidado

Compartiments C6te _ C6te R_frig_rateur

Guide d'utiiisation et d'entretien

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 U.S.A.

Sears Canada, inc., Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5B 2B8

m

www.sears.com

241599502 (0601)

Welcome &

Important Safety

n

Co gratulations

Congratulations on your purchase of a new refrigerator! We
here at Sears are very proud of our product and we are

completely committed to providing you with the best
service possible. Your satisfaction isour #1 priority.

We know you'll enjoy your new refrigerator and ThankYou
for choosing our product. We hope you consider us for
future purchases.

PLEASE READ AND SAVE THESE

INSTRUCTIONS
This Owner's Guide provides specific operating

instructionsfor your model. Use your refrigerator only as
instructed in this manual. These instructions are not meant

to cover every possible condition and situation that may
occur. Common sense and caution must be practiced
when installing,operating and maintaining any appliance.

Please record your model and serial numbers below

for future reference.This information is found on the
serial plate located inside the refrigerator

compartment.

NOTE: Use on!y soap and water to clean seria! plate

Model Number: 253

or: 970

Serial Number:

Purchase Date:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Record Serial/Model Numbers ............ 2

Safety .................................................. 2-3

Warranty .............................................. 3

Protection Agreements ........................ 4

Installation ........................................... 5-6

Door Removal Instructions ................. 7

Features At A Glance ......................... 8

Temperature Controls .......................... 9

Looking Inside ..................................... 10-12

Automatic Ice & Water Dispenser ....... 13-16

Rear Ice and Water Filter ..................... 16

Food Storage & Energy Saving Tips ... 17

Normal Operating Sounds & Sights .... 18

Care & Cleaning .................................. 19-20

Before You Call .................................... 21-24

Instructions

Please Read All instructions Before
UsingThis Refrigerator.

FOR YOUR SAFETY

• Do not store or use gasoline, or other flammable liquids
inthe vicinity of this or any other appliance. Read product
labels for warnings regarding flammability and other

hazards.

• Do not operate the refrigerator inthe presence of
explosive fumes.

• Avoid contact with any moving parts of automatic ice
maker.

Remove all staples from the carton. Staples can cause
severe cuts, and also destroy finishes if they come in
contact with other appliances or furnitu re.

CHILD SAFETY
Destroy or recycle the carton, plastic bags, and any

exterior wrapping material immediately after the refrigerator
is unpacked. Children should NEVER use these itemsto

play. Cartons covered with rugs, bedspreads, plastic
sheets or stretch wrap may become airtight chambers,
and can quickly cause suffocation.

PROPER DISPOSAL OF YOUR REFRIGERATOR
OR FREEZER

Risk of child entrapment .........

Child entrapment and suffocation
are not problems of the past.
Junked or abandoned refrigerators
or freezers are still dangerous -
even if they will sit for "just a few
days." If you are getting rid of your
old refrigerator or freezer, please

follow the instructions below to
help prevent accidents.

Before you throw away your old refrigerator/freezer:

• Remove doors.
Leave shelves in place so children may not easily climb

inside.
Have refrigerant removed by a qualified service

technician.

Instructions(cont.)

KENMORE APPLIANCE WARRANTY

These Guidelines Must Be FollowedToEnsuteThat OneYear Limited Warranty

Safety Mechanisms InThis RefrigeratorWill Operate When installed, operated and maintained according to all

Properly. instructionssupplied with the product, ifthis appliance

ELECTRICAL INFORMATION

• The refrigerator must be plugged into its own
dedicated 115 Volt, 60 Hz., AC only electric outlet.
The power cord of the appliance is equipped with a
three-prong grounding plug for your protection against

electrical shock hazards. It must be plugged directly
into a properly grounded three-prong receptacle. The
receptacle must be installed in accordance with local

codes and ordinances. Consult a qualified electrician.

Do not use an extension cord or adapter plug.

• Immediately repair or replace any power cord that

becomes frayed or damaged.

• Never unplug the refrigerator by pulling on the power
cord. Always grip the plug firmly, and pull straight out
from the receptacle to prevent damaging the power cord.

• Unplug the refrigerator before cleaning and before

replacing a light bulb to avoid electrical shock.

• Performance may be affected if the voltage varies by

10% or more. Operating the refrigerator with insufficient
power can damage the compressor. Such damage is
not covered under you rwarranty.

• Do not plug the unit into an outlet controlled by a wall
switch or pull cord to prevent the refrigerator from being
turned off accidentally.

• Avoid connecting refrigerator to a Ground Fault Interrupter

(GFI) circuit.

IMPORTANT: Turning the Freezer and Fresh Food
Controls to 0 turns off the compressor and prevents
your refrigerator from cooling, but does not disconnect

the power to the light bu!b and other electrical
cemponents, Totum off power t0 your refrigerator, you

must unplug the power cord from the wall receptacle, liable for incidental orconsequential damages. Some

any circumstances

fails due to a defect in material or workmanship within one
year from the date of purchase, call 1-800-4-MY-HOME _to
arrange for free repair.

If this appliance is used for other than private family
purposes, this warranty applies for only 90 days from the

date of purchase.
This warranty covers only defects in material and

workmanship. Sears will NOT pay for:

1. Expendable items that can wear out from normal use,
including but not limited to filters, belts, light bulbs and
bags.

2. A service technician to instruct the user in correct
product installation, operation or maintenance.

3. A service technician to clean or maintain this product.

4. Damage to or failure of this product if it is not installed,

operated or maintained according to all instructions
supplied with the product.

5. Damage to or failure of this product resulting from

accident, abuse, misuse or use for other than its

intended purpose.

6. Damage to or failure of this product caused by the use

of detergents, cleaners, chemicals or utensils other
than those recommended inall instructions supplied

with the product.

7. Damage to or failure of parts or systems resulting from
unauthorized modifications made to this product.

Disclaimer of implied warranties; limitation ofremedies
Customer's sole and exclusive remedy under this limited

warranty shall be product repair as provided herein. Implied
warranties, including warranties of merchantability or
fitness for a particular purpose, are limited to one year or
the shortest period allowed by law. Sears shall not be

states and provinces do not allow the exclusion or limita-
tion of incidental or consequential damages, or limitations
on the duration of implied warranties of merchantability or
fitness, so these exclusions or limitations may not apply
to you.

This warranty applies only while this appliance is used in
the United States and Canada.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may
also have other rights which vary from state to state.

Power cord with
3-pr0ng grounded p!ug

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Dept. 817WA, Hoffman Es-
tates, IL 60179

Sears Canada Inc.,Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5B 2B8

In the U.S.A.

In Canada

Master Protection Agreements

Congratulations on making a smart purchase, Your
new Kenmore ®appliance is designed and

manufactured for years of dependable operation. But
like all products, it may require preventive
maintenance or repair from time to time, That's when

having a Master Protection Agreement can save you
money and aggravation,

Purchase a Master Protection Agreement now and

protect yourself from unexpected hassle and expense.

The Master Protection Agreement also helps extend
the life of your new appliance, Here's what's included

in the Agreement:
_' Expert service by our 12,000 professional repair

specialists

_' Unlimited service and no charge for parts and

labor on all covered repairs

_' "No-lemon" guarantee - replacement of your

covered product if more than three product failures
occur within twelve months

_' Product replacement if your covered product

can't be fixed

_' Annual Preventive Maintenance Check at your

request - no extra charge

_' Fast help by phone - non-technical and

instructional assistance on products repaired in
your home, plus convenient repair scheduling

_z Power surge protection against electrical

damage due to power fluctuations

_' Rental reimbursement if repair of your covered

product takes longer than promised

Once you purchase the Agreement, a simple phone
call is all that it takes for you to schedule service, You

can call anytime day or night, or schedule a service
appointment online,

Sears has over 12,000 professional repair specialists,
who have access to over 4.5 million quality parts and

accessories, That's the kind of professionalism you
can count on to help prolong the life of your new
purchase for years to come, Purchase your Master

Protection Agreement today!

Maintenance Agreements

Your purchase has added value because you can
depend on Sears HomeCentral ®for service, With over

2400 Service Technicians and access to over 900,000
parts and accessories, we have the tools, parts,
knowledge and skills to ensure the pledge: We Service

What We Sell.
Your Kenmore ®appliance is designed, manufactured

and tested to provide years of dependable operation.
Yet any major appliance may require service from time
to time. The Sears Maintenance Agreement offers you

an outstanding service program, affordably priced,
The Sears Maintenance Agreement

• Is your way to buy tomorrow's service at today's
price.

• Eliminate repair bills resulting from normal wear
and tear,

• Provides for non-technical and instructional
assistance,

• Even if you don't need repairs, provides an annual
Preventive Maintenance Check, at your request, to
ensure that your appliance is in proper running

condition,

Some limitations apply. For information

concerning Sears Canada Maintenance
Agreements, call 1-800-361-6665

Some limitations and exclusions apply. For prices
and additional information, call 1-800-827-6655.

Sears Installation Service

For Sears guaranteed professional installation of home
appliances and items like garage door openers and
water heaters, in the U,S.A. call 1-800-4MY-HOME ®,

This Owner's Guide provides specific operating
instructions for your model. Use the refrigerator only as
instructed in this Use & Care Manual. Before starting the
refrigerator, follow these important first steps.

LOCATION

• Choose a place that is near a grounded electrical outlet.
Do Not use an extension cord or an adapter plug.

• If possible, place the refrigerator out of direct sunlight
and away from the range, dishwasher or other heat

sources.

• The refrigerator must be installed on a floor that is level
and strong enough to support a fully loaded refrigerator.

• Considerwater supply availability for models equipped
with an automatic ice maker.

INSTALLATION

DONot instal! the refrigerator where 2.

the temperature wjlJ drop below 55°F (13_C) or rise

above ! IOtF (43°0). Th e compresso r will not be able
to ma ntain proper temperatures inside the
refrigerator.

DoN0tbl0c.thetoeg.,e0nthe

lower front of Your refrigerator. Sufficient air circulation 3.

is essential for the proper operation of your

refrigerator.

Installation Clearances

• Allow the following clearances for ease of installation,
proper air circulation, and plumbing and electrical

connections:

Sides & Top 3/8"
Back 1"

DOOR OPENING

NOTE: If you refrigerator isplaced with the door hinge
side against a wa!l, you may have to allow additional

space so the door can be opened wider.

Your refrigerator should be positioned to allow easy access
to a counter when removing food. For best use of drawers
and freezer baskets, the refrigerator should be in a
position where both the refrigerator and freezer doors can
be fully opened.

TOE GRILLE INSTALLATION / REMOVAL

To Remove Toe Grille:

1. Open freezer and fresh foodcompartment doors.

2. Working from left side oftoe grille, slipyour fingers between
topof toegrilleandcabinet.Gently pullforward untilfirstset of
tabsare free.Slideyour handdown pastthefree tabs and pull
forward again untilthe second set oftabs are free. Continue
this process untilall tabs are free and the toe grille can be
removed. (See graphic attop of page in rightcolumn.)

To install Toe Grille:

1.

Open freezer and Cabinet _'__
fresh food

compartment doors. = ,_, ;-

Line up toe grille at -,.......

base of refrigerator, ,......................... - _, ,7

making sure the four .... / ..._,

bottom tabsare /_ "'/

at base ofcabinet.restingthrough holes _ __-_"wi'i%_:_ili_...... ' _ '

Starting from left side
of toe grille, press in on first top tab using your thumb
and push toe grille forward until itsnaps in place.
Continue this process until all tabs are snapped in place
and toe grille is secured to refrigerator.

LEVELING

All four corners of your refrigerator must rest firmly on a
solid floor.Your refrigerator is equipped with adjustable
front rollers to help level your unit. To ensure proper door
seal and assist door closing, the refrigerator should be
tilted 1/4" (6 mm), front to back.

To Level Your Refrigerator:

1. Remove toe grille. (See "ToRemove Toe Grille".)

2. Use flat-blade screwdriver or 3/8" socket wrench
to adjust front rollers.

NOTE: The refrigerator doors are designed to shut by

themselves within a 2Odegree opening.

Raise

3. Check both doors to be sure seals touch cabinet on all
four sides.

%/

lftstEtilatiort - Connecting Ice Maker To Water Supply

To avoid electric shock, which can cause death or severe personal injury, disconnect the refrigerator

from electrical power before connecting a water supply line to the refrigerator.

To Avoid Property Damage:

- Copper tubing is recommended for the water supply line.Water supply tubing made of W' plastic is not
recommended since it greatly increases the potential for water leaks. Manufacturer will not be responsible
for any damage if plastic tubing is used for supply line.

• DO NOT install water supplytubing in areas wheretemperatures fall below freezing.

• Chemicals from a malfunctioning softener can damage the ice maker, if the ice maker is connected to soft
water, ensure that the softener is maintained and worki ng properly.

IMPORTANT: Ensure that your water supply line connections comply with all local plumbing codes.

Before Installing The Water Supply Line, You Will Need

• BasicTools: adjustable wrench, fiat-blade screwdriver, and Phillips TM screwdriver

• Access to a household cold water line with water pressure between 30 and t 00 psi.

• A water supply line made of 1Ainch(6.4 ram) OD, copper tubing. Todetermine the length of copper tubing needed,
you will need to measure the distance from the ice maker inlet valve at the back of the refrigerator to your cold water
pipe. Then add approximately 7feet (2. t meters), so the refrigerator can be moved out for cleaning (as shown).

• A shutoff valve to connect the water supply line to your household water system. DO NOT use a self-piercing type
shutoff valve.

• A compression nut and ferrule (sleeve) for connecting the water supply line to the ice maker inletvalve.

NOTE: A water line kit is available from your appliance dealer at additional cost. It Contains 25 feet (7,6 meters) of _
inch OD €opper tubing, a sadd le type shutoff valve (nenpiercing), (2) ¼ inch brass compression nuts; (2) ferru!es/

1

sleeves, and instructions for installing a water supply line.

To Connect Water Supply Line To Ice Maker Inlet Valve

Plastic Water Tubing

1. Disconnect refrigerator from electric power source, p

2. Place end of water supply line into sink or bucket. Turn ON water supply Brass

and flush supply line until water is clear. Turn OFF water supply at shut Compression
off valve.

3. Unscrew plastic cap from water valve inlet and discard cap.

4. Slide brass compression nut, then ferrule (sleeve) onto water supply line, (Sleeve)
as shown.

5. Push water supply line into water valve inlet as far as it will go (1Ainch).
Slide ferrule (sleeve) into valve inlet and finger tighten compression nut watervalve

onto valve. Tighten another half turn with a wrench; DO NOT over tighten.

6. With steel clamp and screw, secure water supply line to rear panel of •ValveInlet
refrigerator as shown.

7. Coil excess water supply line (about 2Y2turns) behind refrigerator as shown

1

Valve

and arrange coils so they do not vibrate or wear against any other surface.

8. Turn ON water supply at shutoff valve and tighten any connections that
leak. fr0m household water supply

9. Reconnect refrigerator to electrical power sou rce. (Include enough tubing in looptoallow

10. To turn ice maker on, lower wire signal arm (see ice maker front cover for movingrefrigeratorout for cleaning:
ON/OFF position of arm).

IMPORTANT: It takes app[0ximate!y 24 hours for the ice maker to begin producing ice. Air in new plumbing lines may

cause ice maker t° cycle two or thlee times before making a full tray of ice. New plumbing may cause ice to be discolored

or have poor flavor. Discard ice made during the first 24 hour&

H[_e Top Hnge

ScrSw Cover Screw

Hinge

Screw_

Door Removal instructions

Tools Necessarv

_ockot

Wlench Set

DOOR REMOVAL iNSTRUCTiONS:

If it is necessary to move the refrigerator through narrow doorways,
follow these steps to remove the doors.

iMPORTANT: Before you begin, remove electrical power cord from wall
outlet. Remove any food from door shelves.

Top Hinge

_Doot

./"

/

Hinge

/'//_ I Assembly

Screws /

TO DISCONNECT

1.Press outer ringagainst face

remove tube

nsert tube and

oush until mark touches face of fitting

1. Disconnect electrical supply.

2. Open both doors, then remove toe grille.

3. Close doors.

To Remove Refrigerator Door:

1 Remove top hinge cover screw on refrigerator door and remove cover.

2. Trace around hinge with soft lead pencil. This will make iteasier to realign
doors when they are replaced

3. Remove top hinge and liftrefrigerator door off bottom hinge pin. Set door
aside.

4. Remove bottom hinge, if necessary.

5. Reverse this procedure to reinstall refrigerator door.

To Remove Freezer Door:

1. Disconnect water line coming from lower hinge of freezer door at connection
located under front of freezer: Press outer ringagainst face of fitting, then pull

to remove tube.

2. Remove top hinge cover screw on freezer door and remove cover.

3. Disconnect wiring harness connector plug at top hinge: place your thumbs on
flat sides of each connector and bend both parts back and forth, then with
firm grasp, pull both pieces apart.

4. Trace around hinge with soft lead pencil. This will make it easier to realign
doors when they are replaced

5. Remove top hinge, allowing wiring harness to pull through hinge and lift freezer
door offof bottom hinge pin.Lay door down flat toavoid kinking water line.

6. Remove bottom hinge, if necessary.

7. Reverse this procedure to reinstall freezer door.

When both doors have been reinstalled, connect water line by inserting tube and

push until mark touches face of fitting, replace toe grille and plug in electrical power

cord. Turn both temperature controls to center position. Adjust settings as necessary.

Fixed

Door Bin

FreezerandRefrigerator

Controls

ice Cream

SpiliProof TM CAUTION:

g Shelf Do Not Remove

-Water Filter Dairy

(Location varies by model) Corn partrnent

net Behind

Corn partrnent

ice

Half

Large

Large

Door Bin

Fixed

Door Bin

Fixed

Rack

SpilISafe TM

g Shelf

item

Rack

Meat Keeper

Cover

Retainer

and Cover

Door Bin

Toe Grille

Features may vary according to model