Freezer began to work erratically, e.g. ice sometimes soft and sometimes rock hard as had always been the case previously. I cleaned the coils but that did not seem to help, and problem worsened yesterday. Repairman was out today and replaced the compressor starter, indicated it had failed and demonstrated this by shaking it and it rattled, replaced it with what looks like a different/generic starter. It then seemed to begin to cool more effectively, e.g. the air entering the freezer was noticeably colder. However, he told me that because compressor was not starting properly it was hot and that I should leave it unplugged for 3 hours and then restart it.
I let it cool for three hours and it has been running for three hours since with thermostat controls set where they have been since it was first installed, just colder than the indicated "ideal" range. However, it again does not seem to be running consistently, e.g. even though the compressor is off the freezer is only at 20F and the refrigerator at 56F. While the compressor was cooling the temps had risen to 46F in the freezer 60 on the fridge side. Questions:
Other info: The compressor fan cycles on and off, runs whenever the compressor runs, and seems to blow air well (I can easily feel air exiting at the exhaust side under the front of the freezer). Nothing is making any unusual sounds: no clicks, buzzes, bearing noise, etc. The front of the divider between the freezer and fridge sections has always been pretty warm in this fridge. The fan blowing air in the freezer blows well, and the air there seems cold.
Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.
Ed H
I let it cool for three hours and it has been running for three hours since with thermostat controls set where they have been since it was first installed, just colder than the indicated "ideal" range. However, it again does not seem to be running consistently, e.g. even though the compressor is off the freezer is only at 20F and the refrigerator at 56F. While the compressor was cooling the temps had risen to 46F in the freezer 60 on the fridge side. Questions:
- Shouldn't the compressor run steadily until it reaches the optimal temps?
- How long should I let it run before I can conclude that it is not working?
- I assumed I should not load it with food until it reaches operating temperature--how long should that take?
- How cold should the air coming from the fan in the freezer be? I haven't put a probe there yet but would describe it as cold, but not frigid.
- The coils closest to the front of the fridge, the ones you can touch behind the kick plate, however, are barely warm, even though the compressor is running and is itself as hot to the touch now as before the repair. Is this a bad sign, or normal?
Other info: The compressor fan cycles on and off, runs whenever the compressor runs, and seems to blow air well (I can easily feel air exiting at the exhaust side under the front of the freezer). Nothing is making any unusual sounds: no clicks, buzzes, bearing noise, etc. The front of the divider between the freezer and fridge sections has always been pretty warm in this fridge. The fan blowing air in the freezer blows well, and the air there seems cold.
Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.
Ed H