My Maytag refrigerator makes a loud popping noise. It woke me up at 1 am. Refridgerator is 10 years old no ice maker. The sound is pretty loud. Is this a bad sign? Is there any danger here? Should I be looking at replacing my fridge? Hope you can help! Thank you Desperate Housewife

You need an engineer. That sounds like a 'Clixxon', a device that cycles the compressor on and off due to overheated gasses in the system.

Do you have cats or dogs? Is the condenser coils in the bottom of the unit clean?

This page covers 'clicking sounds'.

https://www.google.com/search?q=maytag+fridge+making+clicking+noise

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http://maytag.custhelp.com/app/answers/list#s=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.

blow compressor and cooling fan

Hello,

You need to check for the refrigerator level, drain pan, condenser fan, evaporator fan and inspect the compressor mounts for the cause of noise. Any popping or hissing sound is normal on frost free refrigerators.

Good luck

It sounds like you have a malfunctioning ice maker that could lead to future problems. The start device on some models of refridgerator for maytag and whirlpool have been recalled. If your appliance was manufactured in the last 5-10 years you may be having an issue with this component. Mine recently caught on fire at this device that is located near the compressor. If you would like to be a part of the petition for a recall on this appliance contact me at [email protected]

Saw your post a week late but the sound could be the start relay on compressor is weaking or if the water is turned off to ice maker the water control valve will try to fill ice maker if the ice make switch is left on and has no water. I will send a manual shortly, Sea Breeze

this is unfortunatley a model problem
its the plastic changing temp
and expanding and contracting

Dripping sound.
During the defrost, water draining from the freezer section will drip into the pan by your compressor in the back and bottom of your refrigerator.
* Air rushing or blowing.
There is a fan in the freezer section and in some models in the back and bottom of your refrigerator to circulate air. This is a normal sound.
* Louder when starting or coming on.
Compressor operates at a higher pressure when first starting and noise should disappear as refrigerator continues to run and balance pressures.
* Popping, crackling, or sizzling about once a day.
If your model is self-defrosting, the defrost system utilizes a heater to remove the ice and frost from the freezer coil. During this period you will hear some expansion noises as heat is applied to the coil and you may experience some sizzling sounds as the melting water drips on the heater.
* Running water.
If you have an ice maker equipped model, the ice maker will call for water as the old batch of cubes is ejected and the ice maker starts to make more cubes. This will last for about 10 seconds and is normal.
* Vibrating or rattling noises

Check to see if you have frost on the back panel of your freezer in your fridge. If you do your coil is frozen over and you'll have to defrost your freezer. I just did mine cause mine wasn't cooling properly on my fridge side. If it is that it's going to fill the pan under your fridge and overflow.

The motor for the auger drive runs pretty slow (about 18 rpm), it could be the drive is running continuously (unless the door is open). Check that and let me know some more info, is the noise real loud, soft, etc. Can you feel anything vibrating or running when the door switch is pressed in?