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Refrigerator (Fridge) Troubleshooting & Repair Welcome
to 411ApplianceRepairs.com where you can buy parts for your Refrigerator
and get free Refrigerator repair advice for all major brands of Refrigerators
including Admiral, Amana, Estate, Frigidaire, GE, Gibson, Hotpoint, Jenn
Air, Kelvinator, Kenmore, Kitchen Aid, Magic Chef, Maytag, Norge, RCA,
Roper, Sanyo, Sub Zero, Whirlpool, and more.
It's
stopped completely
Note:
If your repair problem isn't listed, click
here
to email the RepairGuru. He will give you the help you need. First,
check to see if the light comes on or if there is any fan, motor,
or other sound coming from the appliance? If so, the refrigerator
isn't really completely stopped--go to the specific problem you
are having. If not, try adjusting the thermostat to a colder setting.
If that doesn't work, read on. Unfortunately,
we can't describe all of the possible problems and repair solutions
here. If you are unable to troubleshoot the problem from here, you
may need to contact a qualified appliance repair technician.
If
the refrigerator isn't cool, you need to answer some questions,
then see if the compressor is running. Next,
see if the compressor motor is running
For
an overall understanding of how refrigerators should work, read
about refrigerators in the How Things Work section of our website.
A refrigerator or freezer that is cooling, but cooling poorly, may
have a problem in one of several areas:
Poor
cooling is often the result of a heavy frost build-up on the evaporator
coils. You can't see these coils without removing a panel on the
inside of your freezer. A sure sign that there is a build-up is
the presence of any frost or ice build-up on the inside walls, floor,
or ceiling of the freezer. Such a frost build-up usually indicates
a problem in the self-defrosting system or damaged door gaskets. If
it still does not cool properly, there may be a problem with the
refrigerant level or the compressor. You may need to consult with
a qualified appliance repair technician to further diagnose the
problem
Self-defrosting
refrigerators all have a set of coils and a cooling fan, usually
under the refrigerator, that need to be cleaned regularly. If these
coils get coated with dust, dirt or lint, the refrigerator may not
cool properly. The coils may appear to be a thin, black, wide radiator-like
device behind the lower kick-panel. To clean them, disconnect the
refrigerator from the power source, use a refrigerator condenser
brush (see the Appliance Accessories section) and your vacuum cleaner
to clean the coils of any lint, pet hair, etc. You may not be able
to get to all of the condenser from the front, it may be necessary
to clean the remainder of the condenser from the rear of the refrigerator.
Noise
can come from these areas:
Self-defrosting
refrigerators use a circulating fan to move the air through the
freezer and refrigerator compartments. This fan runs whenever the
unit is cooling. The fan is located in the freezer, as follows: Over
time, the fan may become noisy--usually making a chirping or squealing
sound, though it may make a loud groaning noise instead.
There
are three components on the outside back of the refrigerator that
may become noisy: the compressor, the condenser fan motor (if self-defrosting),
or the defrost timer (if self-defrosting).
Noises
detected at the bottom of the refrigerator almost always originate
from the back of the refrigerator. However, sometimes the drain
pan under the refrigerator will rattle. You may need to tape the
pan in place to stop a rattle. Also see the Outside back of
the refrigerator.
Water
can leak from these areas:
Self-defrosting
refrigerators usually dispose of the water generated during the
defrost cycle via a tube or channel that directs the water to a
pan at the bottom of the refrigerator. From the pan, the water normally
evaporates. (See a more detailed explanation of this in the How
Things Work section of our website).
Water
coming from the back of the refrigerator usually comes from either
the ice maker water valve or line (if there is an ice maker), or
from the defrost drain pan.
Water
accumulating on the ceiling of the refrigerator is usually caused
by a clogged drain in the freezer section beneath the evaporator.
The clogged drain will cause water from the self defrost cycle to
leak into the divider between the freezer and refrigerator. This
water may then freeze and cause condensation build-up on the refrigerator
ceiling. The solution to this problem begins with unclogging the
drain. It may also be necessary to remove the entire freezer/refrigerator
divider to thoroughly dry the insulation in the divider. Occasionally
the insulation needs to be replaced to prevent a recurrence of the
problem. This can be a big job you may want to hire a qualified
appliance repair technician.
In
some refrigerators, the water from the defrost cycle is intentionally
directed down the back wall of the refrigerator, where it then flows
to the bottom of the refrigerator compartment and out to a small
drain - usually located beneath one of the drawers at the bottom
of the refrigerator. If the drain becomes clogged or blocked, the
water may back up. To fix this problem, clear the obstruction.
If
the refrigerator is equipped with a water dispenser on the freezer
door, check if the water line to the dispenser is leaking. Also,
check the drip pan to be sure it isnt out of place, broken
or cracked.
See
the Cooling is poor section above.
This
is a common problem that often doesn't have a clear, permanent solution.
The first thing to check is the overall internal refrigerator temperature
(see the Appliance Accessories section for a refrigerator/freezer
thermometer). The proper temperature should be between 35 and 42
degrees. Here are some things to try:
Self-defrosting
refrigerators dispose of the water generated during the defrost
cycle, usually via a tube or channel that directs the water to a
pan at the bottom of the refrigerator. From the pan, the water normally
evaporates. (See a more detailed explanation of this in the How
Things Work section of our website).
The
thermostat cycles the refrigerator on and off. The refrigerator
normally runs as long as the temperature inside the refrigerator
is higher than the set temperature. If the temperature inside the
refrigerator is cold enough and the thermostat still does not cycle
off, the thermostat may be defective. If so, you need to replace
it, because it cannot be repaired. If the thermostat is not defective,
you may have a problem with the sealed (refrigerant) system, in
which case you should contact a qualified appliance repair technician.
The
ice maker is a separate appliance within the freezer section. Please
see the How things Work section of our website to learn about the
normal functioning of ice makers. Some common problems with ice
makers are:
Check
to see whether the ice maker has been turned off. Here's how to
check. Look for a wire along the right side of the ice maker that
looks a bit like a coat hanger. If this wire is in the raised position,
the ice maker is turned off. On some units you simply lower the
wire to the down position to turn the ice maker on. On others, you
lower a small red plastic lever to lower the wire. If the wire is
in the proper position check the freezer temperature, it should
be between 0-8 degrees Fahranheit. If it is warmer than 10-12 degrees,
the ice maker may not produce any ice. Check your door seals and
thermostat, repair/replace as necessary.
When
an ice maker is producing ice poorly--when it produces just a few
cubes or none, or when the cubes are too small--it's usually because
of a clogged water line or a defective water inlet valve.
The
ice and water-dispensing system of your refrigerator is quite complex.
Many components work together to provide the ice and water. Aside
from a simple problem of a leaky water tube or a jammed ice chute,
most other components are not user serviceable. We suggest that
you contact a qualified appliance repair technician for such Parts.
Warning!
To avoid personal injury or even death, always disconnect your appliance
from its power source--that is, unplug it or break the connection at
the circuit breaker or fuse box--before you do any troubleshooting or
repair work on your appliance. Also, because some components may have
sharp edges, use caution while working on your appliance. |
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