My arctic air refrigerator sometimes just blows hot air, or the fan stops. When I check it, the compressor is not working (not vibrating) when I unplug the appliance and tap the compressor, then wait about 30 seconds and then replug it, it works fine until the problem occurs again (could be an hour or a day or so). Any advice?

Can you look to see if the fan below your refrigerator is blowing a strong steady flow of warm air. Sounds like you either have a fan problem or an obstruction blocking air flow to the condenser. This will cause the refrigerator to stop cooling. What is the model number? Thanks Sea Breeze

I,t sounds like you had a leak, and pulled air into the system. This calls for professional servicing. Whenever there's a leak in a refrigeration system, air and sometimes other noncondensables get pulled into the system. They don't belong there. They cause heat and high pressure in the condenser, and will eventually destroy the compressor. The system needs dehydration and evacuation before charging. That's after all leaks have been repaired.

Easy tests, put your hand on the compressor, if it is vibrating it is running. Touch the two lines coming out of the compressor, if they are both warm then the valves are shot on the compressor, if they are just regular temp then you have a refrigerant leak, if one is hot and the other is cool then you may have a blocked cap tube, which means a $600 fix. If the compressor isn't turning on I would check the thermostat for bat contacts. When you set it to low there should be a small ammo unit of resistance and if you turn it off the meter should say OL. Good luck

sounds like a blockage in the refrigerant circuit, the compressor is shutting down, protecting itself. possibly the compressor is overheating, possibly it's overcharged.

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IF the compressor is working and pumping coolant to the evaporator coils then it will probably cure itself. BUT if the compressor is very hot to the touch it might have locked up.
Sometimes during power surges the compressor start relay or capacitor is blown and will require replacement, but there are multiple possibilities that could also cause it, but first you need to check that the compressor is working before exploring them.

try to check your compressor if working if not check electrical parts like capacitor. overload if defect replace. also try if compressor working observe the condensing unit fan blowing hot air if not theres possibilities of leakage of refrigerant gas need for braze leak then recharge refigerant gas. or possible compressor loose compression need for replacement.

If the unit is not blowing warm/hot air then either your compressor isn't working or your refrigerant charge is low. Make ure that the compressor is running. If you can't hear it over the fan you can disconnect a fan lead and then see if you hear it. If it's not running then verify that it has power to it then check the capacitor. If you don't have a meter to check it with then you can take it to a heating and air supply to get it checked. Replace it if necessary. If the capacitor is good then check the compressor windings for continuity using and ohmmeter. If the compressor is running then get the refrigerant charge checked.

turn your frig off as soon as possible! this is an easy fix but if it goes to long it can cause permanent damage to the compressor and then you have a huge repair bill, or a big piece of trash :(

What has happened is this:

There is a fan called the condenser fan that blows air across the compressor to keep it cool. This fan has stopped working for some reason and now the compressor is VERY hot. When this happens it stops running and you get zero cold produced.

The reason the mullion is hot is because there is tubing connected to the compressor that is run through this area for condensation prevention purposes. When the condenser fan stops working, this tubing gets much hotter than normal, and that is what you are feeling.

So, replace the condenser fan motor before the compressor gets to hot that it damages itself! If I can be of further help please let me know, good luck friend!

I would check the following possibilities:
1. Is compressor clutch working? - You need to do this when the ac is blowing hot air only - locate compressor drive pulley on engine - rubber belt wraps around it. Start engine and set to max ac. When the ac is blowing hot air, look at the center of the compressor drive pulley using a good flash light - watch it for a while, it should be spinning with the pulley - this means the compressor is engaged. If not, the compressor is not engaged. If your ac is blowing hot air, then the compressor should be engaged and running (trying to cool). If it is not engaged, then your compressor clutch is probably going out. Could be low voltage to clutch, but more likely the clutch is worn out and only working some of the time. Note: if working normally, the compressor clutch will engage and disengage in cycles- but the air should always be cold. If clutch is bad, compressor would need to be replaced (sold as one unit). This is tricky to diagnose and could take some time - you need to do it when ac is blowing hot air but set to max cooling.

2. Low on refrigerant or refrigerant has moisture in it? If your ac blows cold initially after being off for a while, then heats up, and continues to regularly cycle back and forth between hot and cool air, then the system may be low on refrigerant or the refrigerant may have moisture in it that is freezing and restricting refrigerant flow. An a/c shop can check refrigerant level and even replace refrigerant if moisture is suspected.

Could be other issues, but I would start with these.

Good luck

Can you tell if your outside unit is running (the fan and compressor)? Sometimes it is hard to hear the compressor for the fan. If they are running then you possibly have a low refrigerant charge and need to have some added. Refrigerant pressures and temps can be checked to verify this. If they are not running then you need to find out why. If both the fan and compressor are not running then first make sure all the breakers and disconnects are closed. Then a bad contactor or capacitor could be the problem. If its just the compressor that's not running then it could still be the capacitor or maybe the compressor.