Hi, I have a Hotpoint FFA74 fridge freezer that I am having a problem with. It doesn't cool or freeze anything. When it is plugged in and powered up it clicks and a few seconds later I hear the motor running but no cooling. I've checked the usual things like making sure the doors are sealing properly, temperature dials turned onto a colder setting etc. but without any joy. Could it be a fan problem as their doesn't seem to be any air being circulated anywhere inside and I cannot hear any fans working? Could you, if possible, tell me the location of the fans on this model so I can check whether they are working or not. The motor (I presume it's the motor) at the back of the appliance gets quite hot. Any assistance you can give me in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
John.

John, January 2012

Hi, theres only one fan on that model,(in the freezer compartment on the rear wall).This fan will only function when the freezer hits the correct temp.Since you have neither compartment operating,then the outlook for your f/f is terminal.Theres a low refrigerant level or a fault with the diverter valve,or blockage.If the motor runs for only a minute or so before cutting out,then the diverter valve has failed.Its a common fault with that model,the other common fault,which doesn't apply to you, is frige compartment freezing.This is also a terminal fault due to bad design,because of the inability to replace the sensor in the roof or the fridge compartment.

Mr Freeeze, January 2012

Do not know the model, but just done a search, unfortunately some bad reviews.
Check around the compressor motor in the back, if it has a fan there, make sure it is clean and operating, might be a tray on top of motor, with a pipe going to it, make sure pipe in trough, that is your defrost outlet. Some comments about noise at back of frezer unit, so that would be where the fan is, You may need to fully defrost it to check, I believe auto defrost, but if auto not working, will give you the problems you have. So unpack all, into thick boxes etc etc wrap every thing up to avoid loosing food, Defrost fully, DO NOT chip ice out, after switching it off. hair dryer, on low, but keep the dryer out of the unit, Do NOT want water dripping into it, low heat is better, When fully defrosted try it, dry as much as possible before switching it on, any water droplets will just freeze, and create problems. If that works, Auto defrost system faulty, Could be just a sensor, or.

SD, January 2012