Refrigerator Repair Program Announced

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug. 22) -- Amana Refrigeration, Inc., Amana, Iowa, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, today announced voluntary corrective action program involving approximately 240,000 Amana side-by-side refrigerator/freezers manufactured between February 1969 and September 1974.

Those refrigerator/freezers to be repaired are Amana model numbers SR 17, SR 19, SR 22, SR 25, SD 19, SD 22, and SD 25. The units can be further identified by checking the serial numbers on the serial plate located behind the removable black grill at the front of the refrigerator/freezer. Those serial numbers beginning with the letters S, E, B, L, A, or C are affected by this program.

These refrigerator/freezers contain a hinge wire assembly in both of the doors which powers the heaters to the butter keeper and the anti-sweat device. The hinge wire may wear from frequent door openings causing contact between the bare wire and the inside of the door. There is a possibility that someone contacting or grasping both of the doors at the same time will be severely shocked. Forty-one shock incidents have been reported to the Commission.

Amana is identifying and contacting owners of these refrigerator/freezers by letter in order to advise that modifications to eliminate this potential hazard should be made by the owner without delay. Until the written instructions are received consumers owning this product are advised to contact Amana through its toll-free number 800/553-6333 or write directly to Amana at: Amana Refrigeration Inc., Amana, Iowa 52204. In the event that Amana can not be reached, consumers are advised to contact the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Comnission's toll-free HOTLINE at 800/638-2772.

Dear Amana Owner:

Amana products have earned an excellent reputation for quality and safety. This comes in part through continued testing and monitoring of performance both in our plants and in the homes of our customers.

However, some of the units, we have discovered, have had the wiring installed incorrectly. You may have one of these units. Excessive wear in these units can result in the electrical wires wearing out in the freezer or refrigerator door. Should this happen in either door, you may receive a severe electrical shock if you touch both door handles at the same time.

The units involved were produced from February 1969 through September 1974, models beginning with the letters SR or SD. These are further identified by the letters S, E, B, L, A or C preceding the serial numbers. Our records indicate that you have one of these units.

Please take the following steps at once. You should have no reluctance to perform these steps as they do not pose any hazard whatsoever. If you take these steps, you will eliminate any possibility of the shock hazard described above. In taking these steps, refer to the illustration.

Step 1. Remove the black grill from beneath the doors. Two small electrical plugs, one at each corner, will now be exposed.

Step 2. Unplug each plug. (This is the same action as unplugging a plug from a wall outlet.)

Step 3. Take the black plugs provided with this letter and install them in each small outlet. This will serve to seal off these outlets. These plugs are designed so that they can only be inserted one way. The smaller pin on the plug is always to the left when you are facing the front of the unit.

Step 4. Place the enclosed safety sticker on each plug cord to indicate unplugging has been completed. This will notify future owners not to reconnect the plugs.

Step 5. Replace black grill.

For free assistance, contact Amana by calling the toll-free number 800/553-6333 or by contacting your local Amana serviceman.

Unplugging the plugs will de-energize heaters in the refrigerator door (butter keeper) and the freezer door. Roth of these heaters have been removed from current products in the interest of energy savings. In your case this will save you approximately 14 Kilowatt Hours per month.

After unplugging the plugs, you may notice some condensation forming on the freezer door during an exceptionally hot, humid day if the refrigerator is in an non-airconditioned location This condensation occurs because of the cooler door surf ace. Previously, this was prevented by heating the door with the internal electrical heater.

This safety problem and the instructions for correcting it have been completely reviewed with the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The Commission concurs that this plan corrects the hazard.

We apologize for any inconvenience the need to make this change may cause you. In the event you no longer own the Amana Side-by-Side Refrigerator-Freezer, please pass this letter on to the present owner.

1. Remove Black Grille.
2. Unplug each plug.
3. Install Black plugs enclosed.
4. Add safety sticker to each wire.
5. Replace black grille.