Freezer shows sensor error, frost pattern uneven, some sections warm

Safety first: Disconnect power before accessing the evaporator area.

Steps:

• Access evaporator: Remove interior rear panel to expose the evaporator and thermistor.
• Verify part number: Check that the installed thermistor matches the correct Hotpoint part number for your model. Using a generic or wrong-value sensor can cause range errors.
• Check mounting: Ensure the thermistor is firmly clipped to the correct coil location and not hanging in free air.
• Test resistance vs. temperature: Measure thermistor resistance at a known temperature (e.g., place the sensor tip in ice water and compare reading to expected value from a service chart if available).
• Replace if suspect: Install a new OEM thermistor with proper value and secure it to the evaporator.
• Control board check: If a correct sensor still reads wrong, the main board's ADC circuit may be faulty and require board replacement.