The refrigerator just stopped working yesterday. Over the years I installed three adaptive boards in it myself but this time is another issue. Yes, it was making the clicking sound. The overload relay on the side of the compressor is making a noise like it is full of sand and it actually has some fine metal dust coming out. The compressor was hot and not starting. Before I spend $60 on a new relay that can fry also if the compressor is faulty I would like to know if there is a way to test the compressor with a meter, beforehand. If it turns out that it is only the relay that can be done but, I do not want to spend $400 on the compressor relay kit plus a day of my time repairing when I can buy a new similar fridge for $800 on clearance locally.
Any help is greatly appreciated
The compressor has three prongs on the side of it. Test ohms between each one and to ground. There should be continuity (6-12 ohms or so) between each of the prongs and no continuity to ground. If the compressor checks out ok I would replace the relay but note that even if the compressor even if the compressor checks ok ohms wise it can still cause the relay to go bad. I know the price of the relay is outrageous the relay is just a $5 relay in a white box with a $5 overload. But other than the test I just said there is no good way to confirm the compressor is good or not you just have to try the relay 99% of the time it is just the relay. http://www.appliance-repair-it.com/Refrigerator-repair.html
I bought and installed a new relay and overload kit. I let it run overnight and it was working fine freezing. The next day I took the parts out again so I can clean the dust that was all over everithing. When I went an put everything back together it did not start up again. It was doing the same as before: Plug it in with the controls on, to about medium, and the compressor will turn on for a brief second and the fan will be on
at the same time for a half turn, then nothing. It will do this as many times as I will plug/unplug the cord.
On a side note, first, I had the control temp lever all the way to OFF. With the refrigerator plugged in and if the lever is moved from OFF to any degree of coldness, nothing will happen. It did this first, right as I installed the new parts, it will not turn on, however when I moved the lever to about middle and then plugged the fridge ON, then it started fine. Could the cold control be also at fault ?
By the way the relay is still OK the round pill that is inside is still intact, whereas on the old one it was turned into crumbs…
I agree with Gene, as this is an on=going problem. Most likely the compressor cycled on overload so many times and so frequently that IT caused the relay to go bad to begin with…The condenser coil is not dirty and has sufficient airflow, right, because thereis an outside chance that could cause the compressor to kick out on internal overload also.
I just finished installing a new compressor. That includes all: start relay overload and new condenser. When I plug the unit on it does the same exact thing as before: a short hum from the compressor the fan spins one turn and then nothing. Any ideas on what is going on are welcomed. So far it seems that all my waiting, expense and work were for nothing.
