Kenmore Freezer "Door Ajar" Problem Fix

My relatively new Kenmore Elite chest freezer, model 253.17802411, thinks that the door is ajar even though it's closed. Seemed like the door switch was OK because the light went on & off, so I replaced the control board. But it was the door switch after all. Cleaning the door switch contacts with DeOxit fixed the problem. [NO, NOT QUITE. SEE PART 2 FOR THE REAL FIX.]
So, here's a video that shows replacing the freezer control board. I now have a spare if anybody wants to buy it. It's Electrolux/Frigidaire #5304500220. I got mine from Amazon.
Not too hard to replace. Would have been easier if my hands were smaller!
Note that this procedure should also apply to similar Frigidaire and Electrolux freezer models. Also, the Kenmore 253.17802410 model is similar.

[@buddha7178]

Thanks for the time you spent to make the video.

[@zodsinclair8500]

Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan You are a LEGEND! I've changed the door switch already, & it solved 'Door Ajar' & 'High Temp' at times, although High Temp was more the Seal needing changing or cleaning & Flattening! but I'm GLAD...its just the door switch! Its def less expensive that a Board!

[@litzdog911]

Glad to help. Enjoy!

[@zodsinclair8500]

@@litzdog911 Tks man! Unfortunately I in Lockdown, & I removed the switch, with I replaced about 1yr ago. It looks perfectly fine, but now the Freezer (with NO SWITCH) instead of alarm after 5mins, Now alarms after about 10mins...Yet the fride looks to be 100% Functional, keeping cold, door seal is good, fridge level & leaning slightly back, so the door can't disengage from the magnet with gravity alone, instead it tend closed....but any way, so I don't know if i just need a new switch, [ which I'll need to wait for the hardwares to open] or if the board is the problem, but thanks for the breakdown, I'm glad 100's of dollars in frozen food isn't going to waste right now, will just bare with the noise of the alarm, & no internal light, until lockdown ends, to replace switch & be sure that was the problem!

[@maddexxx847]

I recently defrosted mine. (Exact model number as yours ). Apparently there was frost buildup inside the door. I had water leaking from the door. A few days later the door ajar alarm kept going off. I pulled the switch after watching your video and it was wet. I took off the door panel and I am drying out the insulation. I hope it works

[@rgruenhaus]

Two separate circuits on one switch! One for the light, one for the door ajar!

[@KT-fi7tm]

I got an older one with just the handle panel and it does the same thing

[@user-hl4hx2iq7k]

What is control panel part number??

[@litzdog911]

Mentioned in the video description .... Electrolux/Frigidaire #5304500220.

[@jimmybeee5]

Have you sold the new control board?

[@ddgardner5671]

I have this problem. I bought a new switch, installed it, and the problem didn't go away. I used a wand type AC voltage detector to test the switch, and it didn't register. Do you have any idea what the problem could be? Thanks.

[@litzdog911]

Not sure what you mean by a "wand type AC voltage detector". To test the switch you need an ohmmeter to see if the switch opens and closes properly. If the new switch tests out OK, then it's likely a control board problem.

[@ddgardner5671]

@@litzdog911 Thanks for responding. Do you know what the effect would be if the control board were removed? Would the temperature remain at the control board setting? I bought a replacement control board and an ohmmeter. I tested both the new and old switch, and they work properly. Long story short, I replaced the switch and the control board. The beeping and the erratic behavior of the light stopped for a few days, but now it's started again. Any ideas? They sure would be appreciated. Thank you.

[@litzdog911]

@@ddgardner5671 That's very puzzling. I doubt that the freezer would operate at all without its control board. The fact that it worked for a few days and started again suggests a defective switch or control board. That can happen.

[@ddgardner5671]

@@litzdog911 Yes, very puzzling indeed. When I installed the new control board, I noticed that I didn't have to reset it. It automatically displayed the temperature setting I had set the old one to. That made me wonder if the freezer would still work if the control board were removed. After beeping for a few hours yesterday, it's currently not beeping, by the way. Again, Thanks.

[@janisnorthrup9281]

How do I clean the contacts?

[@litzdog911]

I used a bit of Deoxit spray.