Kenmore 2537044341E, 2537041341H, 2537034941J, 2537034941G, 2537034341J Owner’s Manual

Use & Care Guide

Manual de Uso y Cuidado

English / Español

Models/Modelos: 253.7034*, 7041*, 7042*, 7044*

Kenmore®

French Door Bottom Freezer

Congelador Inferior de Puerta Doble

* = Color number, número de color,

P/N A05963504 (1904)

Sears Brands Management Corporation

Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 U.S.A.

www.kenmore.com

www.sears.com

®

Record Model/Serial Numbers

Please read and save these instructions.

This Use & Care Guide provides specific operating instructions for your model. Use your unit only as instructed in this guide. 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.

Model Number: 253. Serial Number: Purchase Date:

IMPORTANT

Use only soap and water to clean serial plate.

Table of Contents
Record Model/Serial Numbers.................	2
Important Safety Instructions..................	2
Warranty Information............................	5
Features At A Glance..............................	6
Installation...........................................	7
Door Removal Instructions.....................	10
Installing Door Handles........................	14
Connecting the Water Supply.................	15
Controls - Dispenser Models..................	17
Controls - Non-Dispenser Models...........	20
Automatic Ice & Water Dispenser
(select models)..................................	22
Automatic Ice Maker - Freezer
(select models)..................................	24
Storage Features..................................	25
Storing Food and Saving Energy.............	29
Normal Operating Sounds and Sights.....	30
Changing the Filter...............................	31
Care & Cleaning...................................	33
Before You Call ...................................	35

Important Safety Instructions

Safety Precautions

Do not attempt to install or operate your unit until you have read the safety precautions in this manual. Safety items throughout this manual are labeled with a Danger, Warning, or Caution based on the risk type.

Definitions

This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential personal injury hazards. Obey all safety messages that follow this symbol to avoid possible injury or death.

DANGER

DANGER indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.

WARNING

WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

CAUTION

CAUTION indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury.

IMPORTANT

Indicates installation, operation, or maintenance information which is important but not hazard-related.

WARNING

WARNING! CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS Cancer and Reproductive Harm www.P65Warnings.ca.gov

2

Important Safety Instructions

WARNING

Please read all safety instructions before using your new appliance.

For your Safety

DO NOT store or use gasoline, or other flammable liquids in the vicinity of this or any other appliance. Read product labels for warnings regarding flammability and other hazards.

DO NOT operate the refrigerator in the 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 furniture.

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 items to 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.

We strongly encourage responsible appliance recycling/disposal methods. Check with your utility company or visit www.energystar.gov/recycle for more information on recycling your old refrigerator.

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.

IMPORTANT

CFC/HCFC Disposal

Your old refrigerator may have a cooling system that used CFCs or HCFCs (chlorofluorocarbons or hydrochlorofluorocarbons). CFCs and HCFCs are believed to harm

stratospheric ozone if released to the atmosphere. Other refrigerants may also cause harm to the environment if released to the atmosphere.

If you are throwing away your old refrigerator, make sure the refrigerant is removed for proper disposal by a qualified technician. If you intentionally release refrigerant, you may be subject to fines and imprisonment under provisions of environmental legislation.

3

Important Safety Instructions

Electrical information

The refrigerator must be plugged into its own dedicated 115 Volt, 60 Hz., 15 Amp, AC only electrical outlet. The power cord of the appliance is equipped with a threeprong 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. Avoid connecting refrigerator to a Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) circuit. Do not use an extension cord or adapter plug.

If the power cord is damaged, it should be replaced by an authorized service technician to prevent any risk.

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 your warranty.

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

IMPORTANT

Pressing and holding the On/Off button for three seconds, located on the temperature control panel, will disable your refrigerator’s cooling system

but does not disconnect the power to the light bulb and other electrical components. To turn off power to your

refrigerator you must unplug the power cord from the electrical outlet.

Grounding type wall receptacle

Do not, under

any circumstances, cut, remove,

or bypass the grounding prong.

Power cord with 3-prong grounded plug

CAUTION

To avoid personal injury or property damage, handle tempered glass shelves carefully. Shelves may break suddenly if nicked, scratched, or exposed to sudden temperature change.

4

Warranty Information

KENMORE LIMITED WARRANTY

WITH PROOF OF SALE the following warranty coverage applies when this appliance is correctly installed, operated and maintained according to all supplied instructions.

One Year on Appliance

FOR ONE YEAR from the date of sale this appliance is warranted against defects in material or workmanship. A defective appliance will receive free repair or replacement at option of seller.

Lifetime on Storage Bins

FOR AS LONG AS IT IS USED from the date of sale, a free replacement will be supplied for a defective refrigerator or freezer compartment storage bin. If the defect appears within the first year, a new bin will be installed at no charge. If the defect appears after the first year, a new bin will be supplied but not installed at no charge. This Lifetime warranty covers only storage bins, and does not apply to any other related component or mechanism. You are responsible for the labor cost of bin installation after the first year from the date of sale. This warranty coverage applies for only 90 days from the date of sale if the appliance is ever used for other than private household purposes.

For warranty coverage details to obtain free repair or replacement, visit the web page: www.kenmore.com/warranty

All warranty coverage applies for only 90 DAYS from the sale date if this appliance is ever used for other than private household purposes.

This warranty covers ONLY defects in material and workmanship, and will NOT pay for:

1.Expendable items that can wear out from normal use, including but not limited to filters, belts, bags or screw-in base light bulbs.

2.A service technician to clean or maintain this appliance, or to instruct the user in correct appliance installation, operation and maintenance.

3.Service calls to correct appliance installation not performed by Sears authorized service agents, or to repair problems with house fuses, circuit breakers, house wiring, and plumbing or gas supply systems resulting from such installation.

4.Damage to or failure of this appliance resulting from installation not performed by Sears authorized service agents, including installation that was not in accord with electrical, gas or plumbing codes.

5.Damage to or failure of this appliance, including discoloration or surface rust, if it is not correctly operated and maintained according to all supplied instructions.

6.Damage to or failure of this appliance, including discoloration or surface rust, resulting from accident, alteration, abuse, misuse or use for other than its intended purpose.

7.Damage to or failure of this appliance, including discoloration or surface rust, caused by the use of detergents, cleaners, chemicals or utensils other than those recommended in all instructions supplied with the product.

8.Damage to or failure of parts or systems resulting from unauthorized modifications made to this appliance.

9.Service to an appliance if the model and serial plate is missing, altered, or cannot easily be determined to have the appropriate certification logo.

Disclaimer of implied warranties; limitation of remedies

Customer’s sole and exclusive remedy under this limited warranty shall be product repair or replacement as provided herein. Implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, are limited to one year on the appliance and for as long as used on the storage bins, or the shortest period allowed

by law. Seller shall not be liable for incidental or consequential damages. Some states and provinces do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, or limitation 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.

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

Sears Brands Management Corporation, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

5

Features At A Glance

*Features may vary according to model

		*LED
		Cluster Lights
*Ice Bin	*Fresh Food		*Water	*Dairy	*Air
	Ice Maker	Flipper	Filter	Compartment	Filter
		Guide			Flipper
					Mullion
*1/4 Shelf					Spill-Proof®
					Shelf
*LED					Spill-Proof®
Cluster					Shelf
Light
					Crisper
Deli					Drawer
Drawer

	*Door Bin
Adjustable Hinges
*Freezer Ice	Freezer Baskets
Maker
*Removable
Ice Bin	*Toe Grille

6

Installation

Tools Necessary:
(OR)	AND	OR	OR
Phillips Head		⅜" and ¼"
or	6mm		Adjustable	⅜" Fixed
Quadrex Head		Socket
Screwdriver	Allen Wrench	Wrench	Wrench	Wrench

Components Provided:

Top Hinge	Top Hinge
Cover Front	Cover Rear
Screw	Screw
Top	Lower
Hinge	Hinge
Screw	Screw

This Use & Care Guide provides general installation and operating instructions for your model. We recommend using a service or kitchen contracting professional to install your refrigerator. Use the refrigerator only as instructed in this

Use & Care Guide. Before starting the refrigerator, follow these important first steps.

CAUTION

Do Not install the refrigerator where the temperature will drop below 55°F

(13°C) or rise above 110°F (43°C).

The compressor will not be able to maintain proper temperatures inside the refrigerator.

Do Not block the toe grille on the lower front of your refrigerator. Sufficient air circulation is essential for the proper operation of your refrigerator.

Installation

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

Sides & Top	⅜ inch (9.5 mm)
Back	1 inch (25.4 mm)

Location

Choose a place that is near a grounded, non-GFCI, 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.

Consider water supply availability for models equipped with an automatic ice maker.

NOTE

If your refrigerator is placed with the door hinge side against a wall, you may have to allow additional space so the door can be opened wider.

Door opening

Your refrigerator should be positioned to allow easy access to a counter when removing food. For best use of

refrigerator drawers and freezer baskets, the refrigerator should be in a position where both can be fully opened.

7

Installation

CAUTION

Do Not loosen or remove these 3 hex screws.

DO NOT

Loosen

or

Remove

These 3

Hex

Screws

To raise: turn adjustment screw clockwise.

To lower: turn adjustment screw counterclockwise.

Raise

Anti-tip

Leg

Lower

Cabinet Leveling & Refrigerator

Door Alignment (if necessary)

Guidelines for final positioning of your refrigerator:

All four corners of the cabinet must rest firmly on the floor.

The front should be slightly elevated to ensure that doors close and seal properly.

Doors should align with each other and be level.

Most of these conditions can be met by raising or lowering the adjustable front rollers.

To level the cabinet using the front rollers:

1Slightly open freezer drawer if the toe grill is installed. Lift the toe grille and gently pull forward.

2Make initial cabinet adjustments by using the front roller height adjusting screws. Use a 3/8 inch socket wrench to turn the adjustment screws (1 per side).

3Ensure both doors are bind-free with their seals touching the cabinet on all four sides and that cabinet is stable.

4After unit is leveled, lower anti-tip leg using a 3/8 inch socket wrench until it firmly contacts the floor.

5Install the toe grille by fitting into place.

Toe Grille Must

Fit in Slot on

Anti-tip Bracket

(2) Retaining Clips

8

Installation

To make final door height adjustments:

Door

Door

1.Open freezer drawer to make lower hinge visible.

2.Insert 6mm Allen wrench into the shaft of the lower hinge.

3.Adjust the height by turning clockwise or counterclockwise. Turning clockwise will lower the door. Turning counterclockwise will raise the door. Default setting is to the lowest height when you receive your appliance.

Raise

To adjust the flipper mullion:

1Loosen the screw located on the flipper mullion hinge.

Flipper

Mullion

Screw

Flipper

Mullion

Hinge

Adjusting Flipper Mullion Screw

2Adjust flipper mullion height. For proper connection with the flipper mullion guide, there should be a separation about the thickness of a coin (0.060 inches, or 1.5 mm) between the guide and flipper mullion.

Mullion

Guide

Flipper

Mullion

Thickness

of a Coin

Adjusting Flipper Mullion Height

3 Re-tighten screw.

9

Door Removal Instructions

Getting through narrow spaces

If your refrigerator will not fit through an entrance area, you can remove the doors. Check first by measuring the entrance.

To prepare for removing the doors:

1Make sure the electrical power cord is unplugged from the wall outlet.

2Open the freezer drawer and remove the toe grille (see Installation section).

3Remove any food from the door shelves and close the doors.

To remove the top hinge covers:

1Remove the two screws from each cover over the top door hinges.

2Lift inside edge of hinge cover and tilt back.

		Front	Rear
		Cover Screw
			Cover
	Top Hinge		Screw
	Cover
	Hinge		Ground
	Screws
	Multi-wire		Screw
	Cables		Top
	Leave		Hinge
	Hinge
	With		Water
	Door
		Left Door	Line
	Rear	Front
	Cover	Cover Screw
	Screw		Top Hinge
			Cover
	Top	Ground	Hinge
			Screws
	Hinge	Screw

Leave

Hinge

With

Door

Right Door

NOTE

DO NOT remove the ground screw from hinge.

To remove the refrigerator doors

WARNING

Make sure the electrical power cord is unplugged from the wall outlet.

1Remove top hinge covers. Trace lightly around the door’s top hinges with a pencil. This makes reinstallation easier.

2Disconnect the harness by grasping both sides of the connector firmly, depress the latch and pull apart.

10

Door Removal Instructions

3Detach the water tube from the connector located behind the refrigerator, the connector releases when you press inward on the connector’s outer sleeve. Pull the water tube out toward the front of the unit.

NOTE

You will be pulling approximately five feet of water tube from the back of the refrigerator.

NOTE

Use care while pulling the water tube from the unit to be sure that you do not kink the tube.

Water

Line

Press

Press

Water

Line

IMPORTANT

Open the refrigerator doors to a 90 degree angle before lifting the doors off the bottom hinges and setting them aside.

4Open the refrigerator doors to a 90 degree angle and remove the two screws from the top hinge. Lift and remove door from lower hinge.

	Top View
	of
	Cabinet
	90˚
LeftDoor	RightDoor

CAUTION

Be sure doors are set aside in a secure position where they cannot fall and cause personal injury, or damage to the doors or handles.

5Unscrew the three lower hinge screws and remove the hinge.

Lower Hinge Removal

11

Door Removal Instructions

To reinstall the refrigerator doors:

IMPORTANT

When replacing the doors on the lower hinge, they must be installed at a 90 degree angle.

1 Replace the lower hinge screws.

2Holding the door at a 90 degree angle, drop the pin down into the center hinge opening. Rotate it slightly in either direction until the door falls down into place.

Pin

Mechanism

(Door Bottom)

Bottom

Hinge

Opening

Doors at 90º

3 Reinstall top hinge.

4Insert the water line in the top left tunnel pushing from the front to the back of the unit.

Insert
tube up
to the	Water
marking	Line
line
Press
Press
Water
Line

NOTE

Upon replacement, the tube needs to be fully inserted up to the marking line.

5 Reconnect the harnesses.

6 Replace the top hinge covers.

7Reconnect electrical power cord to the wall outlet.

To reset door pin:

If doors are removed at less than a 40 degree angle, the pin returns to the home position. It can be reset by turning the door upside and using a 5/32” Allen wrench to rotate the left hand pin 90 degrees clockwise and the right hand pin 90 degrees counterclockwise.

of	the	Doors
Bottom
		For
		LEFT DOOR,
		turn pin 90˚
For		clockwise
RIGHT DOOR,
turn pin 90˚
counter-
clockwise

Once the door pins are reset, follow the steps “To reinstall the refrigerator doors”.

NOTE

When reinserting the water tube and replacing the top hinge cover, use care to be sure you do not kink the tube.

12