![]() If the fan motor runs rough, replacing it may get your freezer working again.Obstructions can prevent the fan from turning.Condenser fan blades should spin freely.Also, replace a start relay that smells burnt.ħ) See if the condenser fan motor is running.Test each component for continuity and replace any defective parts. ![]() If you don’t hear the compressor clicking and the freezer isn’t cooling, something could be wrong with the compressor or its starting components.A clicking sound indicates that the compressor is overheating or in overload.A properly operating compressor emits a humming sound or steady noise.With most refrigerators, you can find the compressor at the back of the unit and close to the floor.Dirt and dust bunnies on and around the evaporator coils may also be responsible for inefficient heat and cold transfer.You’ll need to have it replaced if it lacks continuity (can’t support an electrical current). Use a multimeter to test the defrost heater.Ice buildup on the coils could indicate a defective heater. The defrost heater prevents frost from accumulating on the evaporator coils.But if the freezer door still doesn’t seal properly after cleaning, you may have to replace the seal or realign the freezer door. If you feel only slight resistance as you pull the dollar bill, the freezer seal may be damaged or dirty.Close the freezer door on a dollar bill and pull it (the dollar bill, not the door, of course).After an hour, plug the freezer back in and wait for it to cool.Ī faulty door seal lets in warm air and leaks out colder air, enough to prevent the freezer from freezing.Avoid dripping water on freezer components. Brush or vacuum the coils to remove dust and debris.You should clean rear-mounted coils at least once a year - every six months for optimum operation. If the defrost timer hasn’t advanced to the cooling cycle, it probably needs to be replaced.ĭirt and dust accumulate around your refrigerator’s condenser coils as they dissipate heat. Use a screwdriver to turn the advancement screw of the defrost timer clockwise until you hear it click.Unplug the freezer before you remove the defrost timer.If the thermostat fails the test, replace it, or call Chief to replace it for you. And with your handy multimeter (doesn’t everyone have a multimeter lying around?), you can test the thermostat for continuity, verifying the flow of electrical current. If you hear a clicking sound, the thermostat may not be the problem. Rotate the thermostat from its lowest to highest setting to see if it’s working. Turn the dial.īut a defective thermostat won’t send power to the refrigerant system, in which case the freezer won’t cool. Nevertheless, you’d be surprised how often we go on calls where someone inadvertently bumped the thermostat and raised the freezer temperature. Troubleshooting a Freezer That Won’t Freeze 1) Reset the thermostat knob to the correct temperature setting. If you’re at all unsure of your fix-it abilities, call West Coast Chief Repair and save yourself time, headache, heartache, and potential disaster. Others, like removing and testing components, may require special equipment and a level of experience with appliances. Some tips we offer, like checking seals and vacuuming coils, are clearly DIY. Before you despair and call a repair service like West Coast Chief, follow these troubleshooting guidelines to eliminate minor issues you can resolve on your own. The warmed refrigerant returns to the compressor, where the next cycle begins.ĭon’t worry - you don’t need to memorize these bullet points or understand the intricacies of refrigeration to do basic troubleshooting.īut it’s important to understand that any disruption in the cycle we describe will prevent the freezer from cooling.The evaporator absorbs heat from the freezer, cooling its contents and transforming the refrigerant into warm vapor.Cooled refrigerant flows into the evaporator through an expansion valve.The condenser coils transform refrigerant from vapor to liquid while releasing heat - the same heat you feel blowing near the freezer in a cooling cycle.The compressor releases a refrigerant to the condenser.All refrigerators and freezers use the same cooling mechanism.The inconvenience and mess of an occasional manual defrost are preferable to a damaged compressor, a possible outcome if you continue to ignore ice buildup. Sometimes a manual defrost will restore a freezer to good working order. It’s a mystery as puzzling as UFOs and a nuisance akin to the neighbor’s leaf blower. Modern freezers are so reliable that we find it unsettling when they don’t work as designed. When was the last time you thought about the freezer?Ĭhances are you never do or never will - until something goes wrong.
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