Magic Chef Compact Mini Fridge Model MCBR445B1 Suddenly quit working, only 3 years old, compressor hot, could hear clicking after hitting red reset button. New one $160. Is it worth trying to fix?

The compressor being hot means it is getting power to it. 2 possible problems. The compressor is locked up internally (too expensive) or the start relay or overload could be bad (approx cost for both parts about $45). You have to decide if you want to risk $50 and still find out you have a bad compressor. Most service techs have a direct test harness to hook up to compressors and make them run without the start relay and overload but not everyone knows how to do it properly.

That clicking sound is the compressor trying to start, if it is less than a year old just call magic chef and they will replace the unit, if not the cost of a sealed system repair may make it not worth reairing

Hi,

As the weather is getting warmer for many people their freezer and/or refrigerator do not work right because of a dirty condenser coil...there are also many other things that can go wrong. 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 this tip 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


heatman101

ok In the rear bottom where the wires plug into the compressor. There will be a plastic cover plate over the connecting wires. Remove it. Unplug the white wire. note the white wire was plugged into a small black box (3/4"x3/4") pull the black box out. It is connected by 2 prongs. If you open this up you will find a small metal disk that looks like a watch battery. pop it out and clean the contacts. put it all back together and it should work fine. I believe it is the thermostat and many times gets bad contacts and can even crack over time. The compressor will "click" on but the bad thermostat tells it "no"

compressor is broken if you are under warranty you can get it replaced. if not you should buy another one cause compressors are expensive to replace. costs about the price of a new refrigerator. you can try getting a used one from classifieds or craigslist.com

Believe you need to change the start relay and overload, Sea Breeze

Compressor is in a locked up/ no start condition. the overload cools enough to reset and tries to start it again and kicks out on amp draw, then the whole cycle starts over again.
Eric

The first thing that I would look for is a defective start relay and start capacitor. If you are ready let me know and have a ohm meter and we can do some test. Sea Breeze.

you may just have a bad relay. with the power removed ..(unpluged)
remove the relay cover ( on the side of the compressor)

remove overload and relay

check relay for 4-5 ohms
check overload (if open it is bad)

let me know

hi brenda,

can u hear a humming sound as if it is trying to start then it would stop after a clicking sound?
if it does then it is your compressor trying to start but can not do it.

you could either have a problem in your starting relay of overload protector of the compressor or the compressor itself is the defective part and it needs to be replaced.

i hope i was able to help.

pls rate me

tnx

drcool