A clamp-on ammeter is the tool of choice for this. However, it pays to understand the issues that may underly the problem and what the possible solutions may be when dealing with refrigerator repairs. So, if your refrigerator has an overload protector separate from the relay, you need to test the relay. However, even guardian angels can fail. As I said before either the rotor is stuck or you have a starting capacitor/start winding problem. Some types of relays may need to be tested with a multi-meter . It also helps to create some space around the refrigerator for good airflow, especially for the compressor. When the compressor is running, it compresses the refrigerant in the system. T he overload protector is designed to protect the compressor motor from damage. How To Test Refrigerator CompressorSTART RELAY / OVERLOAD(Compressor clicking wont start)The start relay can also cause the fresh food and the freezer sections not to work. Be aware that while it is successful, it is only temporary. In air conditioning something that is used to switch a start capacitor out is known as a potential relay. To bypass the relay on the compressor of a refrigerator, do the following: Disconnect the refrigerator from electric power or power down the circuit breaker. But if the reading is above 1 or remains unchanging from when you first plugged it in, you need to replace the start relay. The extension cord should also have a ground wire. If you can hear rattling on the inside of the start relay, then the part is bad and will have to be replaced. These vents can clog with ice or frost under certain conditions. The relay should make no sound or rattle. Refrigerators will often short cycle when dust and debris build up on the coils and around the compressor. Finally, reconnect the refrigerator to electric power or turn on the circuit breaker. Excess items can block vents in your fridge, and having too much stuff crammed in also makes the appliance work harder to stay cold when you open the door. The heart of your refrigerator is the compressor. You are using an out of date browser. Heat is probably the biggest enemy of refrigerator compressors. Caution: Please read our safety information before attempting any testing or repairs. The potential relay type employs the start windings induced voltage to power the relays coil. Need expert help? For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Disconnect the power to the refrigerator and open up the compartment. Fix the capacitor to the new relay and reconnect the wire connector. I had observed this since the unit was new. The sole function of the overload protector is to keep watch for too much heat in the compressor. In older refrigerators, the start relay uses a wire-wound coil to move a plunger magnetically. No startup relay. If necessary, hire an appliance technician to check and fix any further compressor relay issues. Push and detach the box from the refrigerator. Simply snap a photo, and we'll take care of the rest. All brand logos are trademarks of their respective owners. The condenser fan is in the machine compartment of the refrigerator next to the compressor. Click here to use the chat box on this page to speak with a verified appliance technician right away. However, there is always the chance that the thermostat inside the refrigerator is faulty. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Home - How To/Solutions - Refrigerator Compressor Overload [Solutions]. Now the best way to tell if its bad is to shake it. How does the overload Protector on a refrigerator work? When the compressor motor starts, power flows through the starting components and the sensor. The most obvious sign that your start relay isn't working is the lack of cooling caused when the compressor never starts up. If you find no continuity, replace the relay. With Avalara CertCapture, you can add your tax exemption certificates to your PartSelect account to purchase tax-free! A current relay type employs the first rush of voltage that the compressor draws to power the relays coil. Turn down the freezer's temperature setting to see if the fridge kicks on. How do you know if your refrigerator overload is bad? Next, separate the wires from the protector. You are testing for continuity and you should receive a reading of infinity. Some newer refrigerators are controlled by an Electronic Control Board that monitors temperatures and controls the compressor, fans and defrost system. You may inadvertently change the thermostat setting while accessing the refrigerator and its contents. The relay supplies the needed power. If the compressor is supposed to run, then both windings get power constantly. Premium Quality:The replacement part is made from high quality material and well-tested by the manufacturer.Non original aftermarket part. There may also be a start capacitor attached to the relay overload assembly, which provides increased starting voltage to the compressor windings. email once verification is done. This plunger closes the electrical circuit to the compressor. Cover the compartment with the access panel, and reconnect the refrigerator to electric power or turn on the circuit breaker. How to test a refrigerators overload or relay-start capacitor with a multi-meter: The cold control is a temperature-controlled switch that supplies power to the compressor and fan circuits in the refrigerator. Unplug the start relay from the compressor and give it a shake. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. We recommend that you use an extension cord long enough to make the connection without any extra leftover. A compressor can start and stop frequently if there isnt enough voltage or if the compressor itself is damaged. Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on: Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. If your refrigerator wont start and no fans are running, then you may have a defective control. But if you do attempt this project, be sure to unplug your refrigerator by pulling the power cord completely out of the outlet before you begin. As the compressed refrigerant passes through the cooling coils, it expands and absorbs heat. A refrigerator that makes a buzzing or humming sound but doesnt keep the food cold may have: We had this exact problem with a refrigerator and called Costas Stavrou, our appliance consultant. How do you know if your refrigerator overload is bad? Think about the job your refrigerator performs. Listen to the sound of the compressor. My refrigerator has the click-buzz-click syndrome. No waiting. With the probes still on the terminals, adjust the control to higher (colder) and higher settings, your reading should then change to zero, indicating that you have continuity. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact a qualified appliance repair shop and make an appointment for a technician to pay your refrigerator a visit. Any inductive load when switched off, can produce electromagnetic interference (EMI). The amp should jump to 15, then lower to about two within 3 seconds as it starts. The refrigerant loses heat through the condenser coils on the back of the unit, and then pumps the refrigerant through an expansion chamber where it quickly vaporizes and chills, making the refrigerator cold. Newer refrigerators use solid-state starter relays. Now, pull out the connector fixed to the relay, and peel both sides of the connecting wire. The immediate solution to an overload is simple: Shift some plug-in devices from the overloaded circuit to another general-purpose circuit. It will be located behind the temperature adjustment knob and is usually found in the fresh food section control panel. The overload protector is designed to protect the compressor motor from damage. If you find no continuity, replace the relay. It takes special equipment to diagnose a bad electronic relay. I will have a look to see if the breaker is affordable enough to gamble on a replacement and then decide to replace the breaker or throw the whole thing out. Electronic controls are complex and expensive. Replacing the start relay on your refrigerator is as simple as unplugging the bad component and replacing it with a new one. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The harder the compressor must work to keep things cold, the more heat it generates. You will need a quarter-inch nut driver for this job. The cover is held on by tension or with a retaining clip. Diagnosing a problem with a refrigerator that starts and then stops or wont start at all can be a challenge for a homeowner. When you first plug it in, your refrigerator works continuously, twenty-four hours a day, every day. A bad thermostat can easily cause a refrigerator compressor to short cycle or overrun, causing problems with coil freeze-up or eventual compressor damage. You need to determine if both the start winding as well as the run winding both draw current. Hadn't bothered to look at it but tonight I had a quick look. Contact us to obtain. Click here to use the chat box on this page to speak with a verified appliance technician right away. Your photo will come in handy here if necessary. Fix Your Refrigerator: If your fridge is working but not cooling, you may have a faulty overload protector. Sounds like a stuck compressor or a bad starting capacitor. If that did the trick, it was just a $30 fix. The sole function of the overload protector is to keep watch for too much heat in the compressor. Over-filling your fridge. The problem may just be a bad overload or compressor relay. When the thermal overload protector heats up or makes an open connection internally the compressor stops running. But if the relay shows no damage, run a continuity test on it using a multimeter. That way, it can sense that first rush of voltage. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The relay is fixed to one side of the compressor. If the reading exceeds 1 ohm, replace the PTC relay. Sign up to receive our free Maintenance Reminder Newsletter. The overload protector is accessed from the lower rear of the refrigerator. It moves air across the condenser coils to help cool the hot refrigerant coming out of the compressor. In air conditioning something that is used to switch a start capacitor out is known as a potential relay. The compressor is found at the lower rear of the freezer, with the exception of the high-end, built in style refrigerator-freezers on which the compressor is usually on top. Unplug the start relay from the compressor and give it a shake. This is the job of the refrigerator compressor relay. How many terminals? Remove the control from the fridge in order to test it. The overload protector is the guardian angel of refrigerator compressors. You should first verify that there is no power being supplied to the compressor, that you have incoming power to the control board and that the external controls are functioning properly before condemning the electronic control. I installed the new relay with the old capacitor and got the same click-buzz-click; though, the compressor did come on once. Prepare Your Lawn Mower For Spring (Lawn Mower Maintenance Checklist). Your fridge simply cannot work properly if the compressor is malfunctioning because it helps regulate the refrigerant. A crude method that eventually wore out the breaker. If there is connectivity or continuity, the overload protector is in good working condition. But if the relay is vertical, with the coil facing up, and you check it for continuity between the two terminals as before, you should not find continuity. Connect the stripped wire directly to the case of the relay, without the relay in place. The working of overload relay is simple whenever the compressor motor getting heat up, due to the overload connected with the compressor body, the internal overload heating resistance heat up and due to heat up the bimetallic strip metals cut up the connection between one another and its make compressor circuit to an open electric circuit. This video demonstrates how to replace the relay on a refrigerator compressor: There are three types of relays used on the compressor of a refrigerator. To confirm that the start relay is the problem with your fridge, disconnect the power from the refrigerator and pull the start relay out from its socket on the side of the compressor. But if you find no continuity, replace the relay. Taking a systematic approach to troubleshooting is one way to approach these problems. Disconnect the wires connecting the assembly to the compressor with the pliers. The marvels of modern electronics dont use coils to make the circuit complete. Avoid an Expensive Service Call with These Tips: these are the appliance repairs you dont need to call a pro for. Now, take a digital multimeter, and set it to connectivity. If you hear the usual click and hum as the compressor starts, you know the bypass was successful. To test a PTC start relay, get a multimeter and set it to Ohms. Up next, learn all of the simple fixes for common appliance problems. The wiring of the circuit is such that the sensor lines up with the starting components. 6 Habits That Can Cause Refrigerator Damage. The relay coils wiring is in series with the compressors run winding. If I had the fridge now before me, I'd send you a photo. However, you should understand that at some point, you may require the services of a qualified appliance technician to diagnose and repair some problems. Reconnect the refrigerator to electric power or turn the circuit breaker back on. Before testing the relay, clean the device and all its sports to remove dust. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, How to Restart a Rheem Air Conditioner After Power Loss With the Reset Button.
how to tell if refrigerator overload protector is bad