Is your Refrigerator not cooling? This Refrigerator repair guide will walk you
through the procedure of repairing your refrigerator. This is the same procedure
I go through every time I check a refrigerator. So with a little from this
refrigerator repair guide your refrigerator will up and running in no time.
Below is a list of problems that can cause your problem. Read through each one
carefully until you find and repair your refrigerator.
If you need a
part You can enter your model number or part number here to search the part you
need.
It’s easy! Just find the model number of the appliance you are working on. Next, type it in to the model number box and it will take you to an illustrated parts diagram for your appliance. Then just simply choose the part you need from the diagram. If you need help finding your model number
DEFROST
Defrost can be the cause for your refrigerator not cooling problem. To check
to see if you have a defrost problem, look in the freezer to see if there is ice
build up on the evaporator cover. (The evaporator covers are either in the back
of the freezer or on the bottom of the freezer).
Below is a picture of
what the coils will look like if there is a defrost problem. Notice how the
entire coil is wrapped up with frost.
If there is ice build up these pages will help.
refrigerator
not cooling
Refrigerator
Defrost Problem Diagnostics
If not, keep reading on.
FANS NOT RUNNING
Fans not running will cause the fresh food and the freezer sections
not to work. If the condenser fan (the one under refrigerator) is not working,
the compressor will cut off on the overload. If the evaporator fan is not
running, there will be no airflow to the freezer or the refrigerator. First walk
up to the refrigerator and listen to see if the fans (one in the freezer on one
under the bottom) are running. If one is running and the other is not then get
to the one that is not running and see if something is blocking it. If there is
nothing blocking it then replace it. (Note that some refrigerators cut off the
fan inside the freezer when you open the door so be sure that the door switch is
depressed when performing this test). Refrigerator fan motors can be purchased
at AppliancePartsPros.com or simply search your part above.
Top-freezer Leaking/Refrigerator Not Cooling
On a top-freezer when the drain stops up water will back up turning
to ice and eventually filling the air ducks with ice blocking airflow to the
fresh food section causing it not to cool. You will also see a water leak inside
the fresh food section. To fix this, remove the evaporator cover, (back or
bottom of freezer) and then remove all the ice. Once all the ice is removed, you
need to unclog the drain. I do this by forcing hot water down the drain with a
turkey baser but you can use any squirt bottle, I have even used the water hose.
Once the drain is clear, mix water and baking soda and pour it down the drain to
prevent this from happening again anytime soon.
DIRTY CONDENSER
Dirty condenser can be the cause for your refrigerator not cooling
problem.. If the condenser is dirty, the compressor will cut off on the
overload. (A thermostat that is on the side of the compressor that cuts it off
if it overheats). Often when this happens you’ll hear a clicking noise about 2
to 3 minutes apart. This is your compressor cutting in and out as it overheats
and cools off. Now you need to find out why the compressor is overheating. First
you’re going to need to remove the cover from the back of the refrigerator. Once
you remove the cover you should see the compressor. Now look at the condensing
coils (condensing coils are going to be either behind the compressor, beside the
compressor or on the back of the refrigerator) to see if they are dirty if so
clean them. To clean the condenser I normally use a brush made for this. You can
buy them at Wal-Mart. Once clean your problem may be fixed. Leave refrigerator
unplugged for a while (20 min. or so). Then plug it back in and if the
compressor doesn’t overheat problem is fixed. If it still overheats read on.
START RELAY
(Compressor clicking won’t start)
The start relay can also cause the fresh food and the freezer
sections not to work. If the start relay is bad, the compressor will not start
and you will hear a clicking noise in 2-5 minute intervals. The clicking noise
is the overload cutting the compressor off when it overheats from trying to
start with a bad start relay. To find out if this is bad first unplug the
refrigerator. Then take the cover off that is on the side of the compressor. Now
you should be able to see the start relay plugged on to the side of the
compressor and unplug it. Now the best way to tell if it’s bad is to shake it.
If it rattles, it’s bad and needs to be replaced. If not, most of the time it’s
ok. But rather than saying the compressors bad, you might want to replace it
anyways because it don’t cost much in most cases (less than $25). If you replace
it and it doesn’t work then the compressor is bad and you’ll need you call a
repairman. (Note that compressors are very costly and are normally not worth
fixing). Refrigerator start relays can be purchased at AppliancePartsPros.com or simply search your part above.
Locating and Identifying Compressor Start Relays
Below are pictures of common start relays on the side of a compressor I had
on my shop table.
If your compressor has a cover such as this one,
remove it to access the relay.
Some refrigerators use a relay-overload combination such as this
one.
STUCK IN DEFROST
If your refrigerator is stuck in defrost, this can be the cause for
your refrigerator not cooling problem. Just simply turn the defrost timer a ¼
turn. Defrost timers are normally located in the fresh food section near the
controls or at bottom behind kick plate. If the refrigerator comes on replace
timer. If your refrigerator is newer, the timer may be electronic; therefore,
you can’t do this. But it can still be your problem, although I haven’t seen
this often. Refrigerator defrost controls can be purchased at AppliancePartsPros.com or simply search your part above.
COLD CONTROL
The cold control can be the cause for your refrigerator not cooling
problem. This is the least likely of all the problems but happens sometimes.
Turn the control up all the way and tap on it. If the refrigerator comes on then
replace cold control. If it still doesn’t come on, it may still be bad. You can
check it by first unplugging the refrigerator and taking the control out and
test it with an. ohmmeter Unplug the
wires and see if you have continuity between the terminals, if not replace
control. Refrigerator cold controls can be purchased at AppliancePartsPros.com or simply search your part above.
MAIN CONTROL BOARD
Some newer refrigerators have a main control board and this can be
the cause for your refrigerator not cooling problem. This can be hard to
diagnose if you don’t have a wiring diagram or don’t know how read one. I can’t
help you because I would need a wiring diagram of your refrigerator to diagnose
a main board. Refrigerator main boards can be purchased at AppliancePartsPros.com or simply search your part above.
If you have a 2002
or newer GE-electronic-refrigerator click on one of the two links below. These two pages are for a GE refrigerator not cooling.
GE Eletronic
Refrigerator Not Cooling
GE Eletronic
Refrigerator Not Running
STILL HAVEN'T FOUND PROBLEM
If you still haven’t found the cause for your refrigerator not
cooling then it could be a few other problems. One is that it’s a possibility
you may have left the door open. If you know you didn’t do that then the door
gasket may be bad but this is a stretch because it would have to be pretty bad
to cause the fresh foods and freezer sections not to cool. It may be a sealed
system problem in which case you’ll need to call a repairman.
Here is an
example of what the freezer coils on a refrigerator will look like if you have a
refrigeration problem. Notice how the frost only comes to part of the coils this
is the indication that there is a refrigeration problem. It could be low on gas;
it could have a clogged capillary tube or bad compressor. These problems are not
do-it-yourself repairs call a professional if the coils on your refrigerator
look like this.