How can you tell if the compressor is running on a refrigerator

Compressor running, not hot tells me there is a broken valve in that compressor. A good way to confirm is to take an amperage reading of the compressor. If it is way under the nameplate rating, the compressor is not compressing and moving the refrigerant gas.

Run it for 10 minutes BEFORE you take that voltage reading, the compressor is a smart compressor and it senses load and has to run a while to tell the controller what to feed it. See pages 19-21 of the service manual.

Hi,

Many times a freezer and/or refrigeratordo not work right because of a dirty condenser coil...there are also many otherthings that can go wrong. If you are hearing a clicking or buzzing thencheck out the last two tips.

If your refrigerator is running but warm, then...

Check out these tips that I wrote about that... it is a great place to starttrouble shooting your unit...and something that you can do rather then callinga repair person to do a simple thing for you...

Refrigerator Condenser Coil Cleaning Refrigerator Repair

Refrigerator Troubleshooting Refrigerator Compressor

Refrigerator Compressor Start Capacitor and Start Relay
Refrigerator or Freezer not Cooling or Getting Cold

heatman101
= =-

My first reaction would be to look inside the freezer for ice buildup or if cooling at all. Check that freezer fan and condenser fan are also working when the compressor should be working. Then if everything is working topside as it appears to should be working but not cooling I would pull the refrigerator away from wall, unplug power, remove lower cover over compressor and then feel top of compressor with my hand to see if warm, cool or too hot to keep hand there. Here is a photo of compressor parts=> MSD2756G Compressor Components In that photo there are three parts I want you to consider as possible reasons if compressor is not running but very hot to the touch.A small percentage of the time it is the compressor itself that is defective and it would pay to do the test of compressor listed on this page HERE and listed near end of page as How To Check For A Burned Out Compressor.Tell me if both fans are on because that tells me the thermostat is good and calling for cold. Here are the most likely reasons your compressor may not be starting=> 12002794 Relay and Overload Kit, and 65889-4 Run Capacitor
I will be here to answer any questions you may have, Thanks, Sea Breeze

Hi,

Sounds like you may have a leak... can you tell if the compressor (black can in the back, bottom) is running also or not...if compressor is running and not cooling you may as well junk it....if the compressor is not running it maybe something more simple to fix...

If you are hearing a clicking or buzzing then check out the last two tips.

If your refrigerator is running but warm, then...

Check out these tips that I wrote about that... it is a great place to start trouble shooting your unit...and something that you can do rather then calling a repair person to do a simple thing for you...

Refrigerator Condenser Coil Cleaning Refrigerator Repair

Refrigerator Troubleshooting Refrigerator Compressor

Refrigerator Compressor Start Capacitor and Start Relay

Refrigerator or Freezer not Cooling or Getting Cold

heatman101

Hello there:
If the refrigerator isn't cool, you need to answer some questions, then see if the compressor is running. First, answer these questions: Is the refrigerator completely dead? If so, see “It's stopped completely.” Is the thermostat knob turned to the proper setting? If not, reset it. Next, see if the compressor motor is running The compressor is a football-sized case with no apparent moving parts. It's on the outside of the refrigerator at the back near the bottom. If it is humming or making a continuous noise and your refrigerator is still not cooling, there may be a more serious problem with one or more of several different components, we recommend contacting a qualified appliance repair technician for further help. If the compressor is not running but you do have power to the refrigerator, there may be a problem with one or more of these: The compressor The Thermostat The overload, relay, or capacitor The defrost timer The condenser fan motor

There are several possibilities on your model. Compressor start components and Adaptive defrost Control. I would like you to pull away from wall and unplug , rempove the cover over compressor and feel the compressor to tell me if warm, hot or too hot to keep your hand there, Waiting for your response, Sea Breeze

Unplug the Ref for 15-20 min., plug it back in and listen for the compressor to start. You will need to be behind the Ref so you can tell if the compressor or the fan is running. It will help to take the cover off so you can see the compressor.
Compressor not running but you hear a clicking noise. The relay needs to be replaced.
Compressor runs but not cooling. Low on coolant

Unplug the Ref for 15-20 min. take off the cover so you can see the compressor, then plug it back in and listen for the compressor to start. You should be behind the Ref so you can tell the difference between the fan running or the compressor.

The compressor should start and keep running.

The fan cooling the compressor should be running.

The fan in the freezer should be running.

You should feel cold air coming into the Fridge side from the freezer side.

First I would make sure the compressor is running.

Unplug the Ref. for about 15-20 min, plug it back in and listen for the compressor to start. You will have to be behind the Ref to tell the difference between the compressor fan and the compressor. If the compressor clicks and doesn't run then the relay on the compressor should be replaced. If it runs then it is probably low on coolant.