Refrigerator Troubleshooting Refrigerator Compressor

All the things in your refrigerator are getting warm. The freezer is thawing and when you listen closely you hear a click with a buzz, another little click and then nothing for a few minutes. Then the same thing starts all over again. You fear the worst and you are probably correct. The compressor has decided that it will not start anymore.



When this happens, sometimes it is the fault of the capacitor or the start relay. There is about as good a chance that changing these start components will work as it is that it will not work. If you can do the changing your self then you should get the parts and do the work. You have half a chance that it will work. If you will need to pay someone else to do the work then you need to look hard at what it will cost you and what the unit is worth, then decide to take a chance or not.

If you do decide to change the start components then you need to make sure that you unplug the refrigerator long enough the let the compressor cool completely. Even with new components a hot compressor often will not start. Believe me if your compressor is trying to start and can't then it will be very hot!

If you end up needing to change the compressor, get a complete price so that you can make a good evaluation of the cost versus replacement. Make sure that the replacement will not cost more than half the replacement costs. Why pour money into something that will have something else fail before too long? Also remember that federal laws require a certification to handle refrigerants and persons doing the job need to recover or reclaim all refrigerants and handle them accordingly. A compressor replacement is NOT a DIY job. Specialized equipment is needed to do the job properly.

This should give you some guidelines to help you if you hear the dreaded click, buzz, click.

http://www.fixya.com/support/r3907570-buy_appliance_parts_online


http://www.fixya.com/support/r4326839-refrigerator_maintenance_tips

http://www.fixya.com/support/r4327013-refrigerator_efficiency

http://www.fixya.com/support/r4024657-refrigerator_condenser_coil_cleaning

http://www.fixya.com/support/r4326731-new_refrigerator_size_or_refrigerator

http://www.fixya.com/support/r4023749-refrigerator_compressor_start_capacitor

http://www.fixya.com/support/r4020581-moving_refrigerator_best_way