Dead Fridge?

[Bruce Amacker]

Hey Guys:

My dorm fridge at the shop quit working and I just want to verify it's dead before tossing it. It was working fine up until the other day when it went warm. The compressor is warm to the touch (120+) and I unplugged it and let it cool down a few hours. I plugged it back in and the compressor got warm again and something clicks like a thermal breaker. It's dead, right? Ditch it, right? I put custom paint on the door so I want to make sure before it goes in the trash.

Thanks!

 

[Big Bad Dad]

Is the condensor coil clogged up with dirt and lint? Vacuum it out or blow it out before trashing the fridge.

 

[dave*99]

There is a starter that hangs off the pins sticking out of the compressor. It's on your wiring diagram. They can fail.

 

[MAD MARK]

Take off the starter and shake it. If it is noisy then it needs replaced. Typically $20-$30.

 

[Dagny]

A new current relay will make noise suppco makes a handy replacement solid state device. most refrigeration guys will have several in their truck.

 

[dave*99]

Videos here should help:

3-IN-1 HARDSTART KIT (USING CAP) : URCO410

www.a-1appliance.com

 

[Bruce Amacker]

Dave, Mark and Dagny, you guys were spot on. I bought a 3n1 kit on Ebay for $13 and it now works like a champ.

THANKS!

 

[captain14]

Videos here should help:

3-IN-1 HARDSTART KIT (USING CAP) : URCO410

www.a-1appliance.com

Gotta watch these this week. I also have a dorm fridge that has stopped.

 

[bonneyman]

If it's gotten hot several times the comp has been heat stressed. The motor windings insulation will start to decompose and eventually fail. But before that the oil will start to carbonize and start varnishing the bearings.
Do all you can to keep it from overheating. Keeping the cond coil clean is a big help.

 

[rust in the eye]

Yeah, I've repaired a whole bunch of these little fridges thrown to the curb. The little gizmo that plugs onto the side of the compressor is the failure on almost every one of them. Google the # on it, they are dirt cheap and easy peasy to replace.
Make sure the condenser coil is clean too.