Refrigirator - runs, stops, does not restart
 

Hi All,

A bit tricky refrigerator problem. Unit is 12 years old Sears (made by GE)
top freezer. Symptoms are that it starts and cools for a while, but stops
and does not restart. Compressor quite hot - can hold finger on it for 4
sec. All fans are running. Coils clean.

Sounds like overload, but why is it overloading? How hot should the
compressor case get in normal operation? Could a bad run capacitor cause
that?

Rich

RichK wrote:
Hi All,

A bit tricky refrigerator problem. Unit is 12 years old Sears (made by GE)
top freezer. Symptoms are that it starts and cools for a while, but stops
and does not restart. Compressor quite hot - can hold finger on it for 4
sec. All fans are running. Coils clean.

Sounds like overload, but why is it overloading? How hot should the
compressor case get in normal operation? Could a bad run capacitor cause
that?

They often use a clever little start solenoid to get the compressor
motor running. There is a coil in series with the run winding. When
power is applied, the sudden inrush of current causes this coil to pull
a plunger up that switches the start winding into the circuit. Once the
motor gets going, the current drops, and so does the plunger due to
gravity. This removes the start winding from the circuit and the motor
runs normally. In your case the plunger could be stuck in the up
position which would keep the start winding energized and the motor
would overload. In this old Whirlpool I have here, you can easily hear
the solenoid click and then drop out. Good luck!

"RichK" writes:

Hi All,

A bit tricky refrigerator problem. Unit is 12 years old Sears (made by GE)
top freezer. Symptoms are that it starts and cools for a while, but stops
and does not restart. Compressor quite hot - can hold finger on it for 4
sec. All fans are running. Coils clean.

Sounds like overload, but why is it overloading? How hot should the
compressor case get in normal operation? Could a bad run capacitor cause
that?

When you say "does not restart", does it try?

Compressors can run quite hot to the touch so that alone may not be that
significant.

You need to determine what is preventing it from restarting.

If the compressor where overheating, the thermal protector ("Guardette")
would open. But that would close after it cooled down, and the compressor
would attempt to restart.

Also, are you sure it's not the defrost timer telling the compressor to
turn off for the defrost cycle, which can last 20 minutes or more?

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"RichK" wrote in message
...

A bit tricky refrigerator problem. Unit is 12 years old Sears (made by
GE)
top freezer. Symptoms are that it starts and cools for a while, but stops
and does not restart. Compressor quite hot - can hold finger on it for 4
sec. All fans are running. Coils clean.

Sounds like overload, but why is it overloading? How hot should the
compressor case get in normal operation? Could a bad run capacitor cause
that?

Bad cap? Could be. A new one is a cheap test.

N

Sam Goldwasser wrote:

"RichK" writes:

Hi All,

A bit tricky refrigerator problem. Unit is 12 years old Sears (made by GE)
top freezer. Symptoms are that it starts and cools for a while, but stops
and does not restart. Compressor quite hot - can hold finger on it for 4
sec. All fans are running. Coils clean.

Sounds like overload, but why is it overloading? How hot should the
compressor case get in normal operation? Could a bad run capacitor cause
that?

When you say "does not restart", does it try?

Compressors can run quite hot to the touch so that alone may not be that
significant.

You need to determine what is preventing it from restarting.

If the compressor where overheating, the thermal protector ("Guardette")
would open. But that would close after it cooled down, and the compressor
would attempt to restart.

Also, are you sure it's not the defrost timer telling the compressor to
turn off for the defrost cycle, which can last 20 minutes or more?


The defrost timer can be stuck on also do to a timer failure.
Thats what happened to my whirlpool.

Bob



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Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://repairfaq.ece.drexel.edu/REPAIR/
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traffic on Repairfaq.org.

Important: Anything sent to the email address in the message header above is
ignored unless my full name is included in the subject line. Or, you can
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Thanks Sam,

You've helped me before.

"Sam Goldwasser" wrote in message

When you say "does not restart", does it try?

No it does not.

Compressors can run quite hot to the touch so that alone may not be that
significant.

You need to determine what is preventing it from restarting.

Today I removed the cover form the thermostat and deforst timer and banged
on the bracket. It caused the compressor to start. Been running since.
The temp inside was 70deg, so I'll let it run. Must be one of the devices.
If it stops again, I'll take both apart (if possible).

Also, are you sure it's not the defrost timer telling the compressor to
turn off for the defrost cycle, which can last 20 minutes or more?

I did think that, but this thing just stops and the temp goes up to room
temp and sits there. Timer would have timed out (assuming it's
functioning).

Rich

Hi James,

"James Jones" wrote in message news:R0aCe.46766

They often use a clever little start solenoid to get the compressor
motor running. There is a coil in series with the run winding.

The schematic on this unit is confusing. The cap is labled RUN, but there
is PTC "relay". Makes you wonder who made the schematic. Perhaps GE has
been outsorrcing their drafting for a long time :-)

The cap must be START, not run. Also the PTC relay is shown to both main
and aux windings. TMK it only senses the aux winding.

Rich

RichK wrote:
Thanks Sam,

You've helped me before.

"Sam Goldwasser" wrote in message


When you say "does not restart", does it try?


No it does not.


Compressors can run quite hot to the touch so that alone may not be that
significant.

You need to determine what is preventing it from restarting.


Today I removed the cover form the thermostat and deforst timer and banged
on the bracket. It caused the compressor to start. Been running since.
The temp inside was 70deg, so I'll let it run. Must be one of the devices.
If it stops again, I'll take both apart (if possible).


Also, are you sure it's not the defrost timer telling the compressor to
turn off for the defrost cycle, which can last 20 minutes or more?


I did think that, but this thing just stops and the temp goes up to room
temp and sits there. Timer would have timed out (assuming it's
functioning).

Rich

If your fridge is full of food, go down an bite the bullet and buy a new
defrost timer and put it in. I spent a lot of time jacking with mine
and lost some food in the process. If you do, look at the instructions
carefully. The aftermarket replacements are not quite the same as the OEM
part.

Bob

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"RichK" wrote in message
...
Hi James,

"James Jones" wrote in message news:R0aCe.46766

They often use a clever little start solenoid to get the compressor
motor running. There is a coil in series with the run winding.

The schematic on this unit is confusing. The cap is labled RUN, but there
is PTC "relay". Makes you wonder who made the schematic. Perhaps GE has
been outsorrcing their drafting for a long time :-)

The cap must be START, not run. Also the PTC relay is shown to both main
and aux windings. TMK it only senses the aux winding.



No, it's a run cap. These use PSC motors which keep the capacitor in the
circuit while running. The PTC relay is a start assist. At any rate from
your other post it doesn't sound like anything in the compressor area is at
fault, sounds like the defrost timer is bad.

"James Sweet"


No, it's a run cap. These use PSC motors which keep the capacitor in the
circuit while running. The PTC relay is a start assist.

Yes, you're right. On a second look, the PTC relay is bypassing the run cap
during start, so the aux winding can draw more current.


At any rate from your other post it doesn't sound like anything in the
compressor area is at
fault, sounds like the defrost timer is bad.

Agree. I only questioned the temp of the compressor. Have no idea how hot
is normal.

Rich