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Electronics Repair (sci.electronics.repair) Discussion of repairing electronic equipment. Topics include requests for assistance, where to obtain servicing information and parts, techniques for diagnosis and repair, and annecdotes about success, failures and problems. |
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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 |
#2
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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! |
#3
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"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? --- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ Mirror: http://repairfaq.ece.drexel.edu/ Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://repairfaq.ece.drexel.edu/REPAIR/ +Lasers | Sam's Laser FAQ: http://repairfaq.ece.drexel.edu/sam/lasersam.htm | Mirror Sites: http://repairfaq.ece.drexel.edu/REPAIR/F_mirror.html Note: These links are hopefully temporary until we can sort out the excessive 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 contact me via the Feedback Form in the FAQs. |
#4
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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 |
#5
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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 --- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ Mirror: http://repairfaq.ece.drexel.edu/ Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://repairfaq.ece.drexel.edu/REPAIR/ +Lasers | Sam's Laser FAQ: http://repairfaq.ece.drexel.edu/sam/lasersam.htm | Mirror Sites: http://repairfaq.ece.drexel.edu/REPAIR/F_mirror.html Note: These links are hopefully temporary until we can sort out the excessive 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 contact me via the Feedback Form in the FAQs. ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==---- http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =---- |
#6
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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 |
#7
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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 |
#8
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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 ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==---- http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =---- |
#9
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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. |
#10
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"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 |
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