I have a @ 4 yr old top freezer Whirlpool fridge that just quit
cooling?? The compressor was starting to run continuously and the
lower fridge compartment was barely able to stay at about 43 F. The
top freezer compartment could no longer make or keep ice cubes......
I thought it might be the defroster heater that went out but when I
took the back panel off the freezer compartment there was absolutly no
ice build up on the coils?? I did remove the bottom grill and the
coils at the bottom were pretty clogged with lint so cleaned them up
as good as we could but still wouldn't work?? The little collector
pan at the bottom was empty and dry also.... Any ideas??
Steve

"Steve" wrote in message
...
I have a @ 4 yr old top freezer Whirlpool fridge that just quit
cooling?? The compressor was starting to run continuously and the
lower fridge compartment was barely able to stay at about 43 F. The
top freezer compartment could no longer make or keep ice cubes......
I thought it might be the defroster heater that went out but when I
took the back panel off the freezer compartment there was absolutly no
ice build up on the coils?? I did remove the bottom grill and the
coils at the bottom were pretty clogged with lint so cleaned them up
as good as we could but still wouldn't work?? The little collector
pan at the bottom was empty and dry also.... Any ideas??
Steve
One possibility is that the defrost heater is staying on. If the heater is
off, airflow over inside and outside coils is good, compressor is running,
and doors seal tightly, then you likely have low refrigerant charge or a bad
compressor. While you are checking, be sure the drain(s) for the condesate
water from the inside coil to the drain pan is/are not clogged.

Don Young

On Sun, 11 Jan 2009 17:44:25 -0800, Steve wrote:

I have a @ 4 yr old top freezer Whirlpool fridge that just quit
cooling?? The compressor was starting to run continuously and the lower
fridge compartment was barely able to stay at about 43 F. The top
freezer compartment could no longer make or keep ice cubes...... I
thought it might be the defroster heater that went out but when I took
the back panel off the freezer compartment there was absolutly no ice
build up on the coils?? I did remove the bottom grill and the coils at
the bottom were pretty clogged with lint so cleaned them up as good as
we could but still wouldn't work?? The little collector pan at the
bottom was empty and dry also.... Any ideas?? Steve

Last summer my 4 yr old whirlpool refrigerator acted just like you
described. Cost me $175.00 for a repairman to replace a relay called
"compressor starter." Simple unplug relay, cut tie-wrap, plug relay, fit
a new tie wrap to secure replacement relay. Note: a replacement kit,
"compressor starter kit" can be had for about $35.00 at the following
site:

http://www.appliancepartspros.com
(I am just using their site as example, there are other sites that sell
discount appliance parts.)

Of course the knowledge of what to replace, the house call, and 15
minutes time of the technician was included in the repair cost. Repair
guy told me a "Whirlpool? Always put one of those starter kits in the
truck. Common failure after 4-5 years."

Anyway, go to the above link, search the database for your model, you can
get to a parts drawing for your freezer. Left side, scroll down past
about 5 or 6 drawings until you get to the compressor and cooling unit
parts drawing. On my unit, it was a white plastic relay under a cover
which was tie-wrapped to the compressor. Getting access to compressor
and compressor starter relay is more of a hassle than actual replacement
of relay.

Usual disclaimer, My experience may have nothing to do with your
freezer's fault. My comments are solely based on your posting and no
other diagnostics. Free advise is sometimes worth exactly what you paid
for it.

HTH
Phil

On Jan 12, 6:02*am, Phil Again wrote:
On Sun, 11 Jan 2009 17:44:25 -0800, Steve wrote:
I have a @ 4 yr old top freezer Whirlpool fridge that just quit
cooling?? *The compressor was starting to run continuously and the lower
fridge compartment was barely able to stay at about 43 F. *The top
freezer compartment could no longer make or keep ice cubes...... I
thought it might be the defroster heater that went out but when I took
the back panel off the freezer compartment there was absolutly no ice
build up on the coils?? *I did remove the bottom grill and the coils at
the bottom were pretty clogged with lint so cleaned them up as good as
we could but still wouldn't work?? *The little collector pan at the
bottom was empty and dry also.... *Any ideas?? Steve

Last summer my 4 yr old whirlpool refrigerator acted just like you
described. *Cost me $175.00 for a repairman to replace a relay called
"compressor starter." *Simple unplug relay, cut tie-wrap, plug relay, fit
a new tie wrap to secure replacement relay. *Note: a replacement kit,
"compressor starter kit" can be had for about $35.00 at the following
site:

http://www.appliancepartspros.com
(I am just using their site as example, there are other sites that sell
discount appliance parts.)

Of course the knowledge of what to replace, the house call, and 15
minutes time of the technician was included in the repair cost. *Repair
guy told me a "Whirlpool? Always put one of those starter kits in the
truck. *Common failure after 4-5 years."

Anyway, go to the above link, search the database for your model, you can
get to a parts drawing for your freezer. *Left side, scroll down past
about 5 or 6 drawings until you get to the compressor and cooling unit
parts drawing. *On my unit, it was a white plastic relay under a cover
which was tie-wrapped to the compressor. *Getting access to compressor
and compressor starter relay is more of a hassle than actual replacement
of relay.

Usual disclaimer, My experience may have nothing to do with your
freezer's fault. *My comments are solely based on your posting and no
other diagnostics. *Free advise is sometimes worth exactly what you paid
for it.

HTH
Phil

Awesome reply! Thank you so much! I was checking out a few
troubleshooting sites last night and one sort of mentioned the
possibility of the "compressor starter." I unplugged the fridge and
when I plugged it back in and opened the door of the lower compartment
I could hear a tick-tick-tick- sound and apparently that is a clue
that the relay may not be working. $35 is alot better than $250 for a
new compressor unit!!! I was wondering how I could access the starter
relay but your reply was a great help! Thanks!
Steve

"Steve" wrote in message
...
On Jan 12, 6:02 am, Phil Again wrote:

http://www.appliancepartspros.com
(I am just using their site as example, there are other sites that sell
discount appliance parts.)


You did not mention the "I could hear a tick-tick-tick- sound and apparently
that is a clue
that the relay may not be working. "

in your initial post.

I concur that the starter unit is all you need.



--
Colbyt
Please come visit www.househomerepair.com

On Jan 12, 7:05*pm, "Colbyt" wrote:
"Steve" wrote in message

...
On Jan 12, 6:02 am, Phil Again wrote:



http://www.appliancepartspros.com
(I am just using their site as example, there are other sites that sell
discount appliance parts.)

You did not mention the "I could hear a tick-tick-tick- sound and apparently
that is a clue
that the relay may not be working. "

in your initial post.

I concur that the starter unit is all you need.

--
Colbyt
Please come visit *www.househomerepair.com

Well thank you as well! That only confirms the diagnosis.......
Steve

I did order the part from that appliancepartspros.com place but
something sort of curious about it was they had the relay for about
$20 if you had already replaced the part in the past but if the part
you were replacing was original you had to get one that cost about
$38??? So that is the one the sales guy said that I needed..... Hope
I got the right part.....

{snip}

I did order the part from that appliancepartspros.com place but
something sort of curious about it was they had the relay for about $20
if you had already replaced the part in the past but if the part you
were replacing was original you had to get one that cost about $38???
So that is the one the sales guy said that I needed..... Hope I got the
right part.....

Steve:

You got the correct replacement "part."

I put the word part in quotations because I think what you purchased was
a kit. A third party aftermarket kit, not OEM which you would have to
order directly from Whirlpool.

Aside: In this specific case (household consumer appliance from Whirlpool
Corporation) there is no evidence I know of that suggests OEM replacement
would be a better choice over 3rd party aftermarket even with OEM
replacement part being more expensive.

The OEM kit is more than just the relay solenoid and contacts. The OEM
will only sell the unified KIT assembly since it makes factory assembly
faster and economically a better choice. As With any relay kit or
assembly, the most common failure is the relay contacts burning out due
to arcing. (Have you had recent utility power problems? Brownout,
blackout, several quick interruptions of power in a row?)

From what you posted, I deduce that in the future, your after-market
replacement part can itself be repaired by just replacing the sub-part of
the kit which is just the relay solenoid and contacts, which is just the
$20.00 part.

So, if your neighborhood is subject to ice storms, power blackouts,
whatever, then it becomes your choice: $20.00 spare relay sitting on a
shelf in your basement for a few of years, or another $200.00 or so of
frozen foods.

I hope the kit fixes your freezer. If it does...well then your choice on
spending $20.00.

Phil

From what you describe, the fridge is low on freon.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Steve" wrote in message
...
I have a @ 4 yr old top freezer Whirlpool fridge that just
quit
cooling?? The compressor was starting to run continuously
and the
lower fridge compartment was barely able to stay at about 43
F. The
top freezer compartment could no longer make or keep ice
cubes......
I thought it might be the defroster heater that went out but
when I
took the back panel off the freezer compartment there was
absolutly no
ice build up on the coils?? I did remove the bottom grill
and the
coils at the bottom were pretty clogged with lint so cleaned
them up
as good as we could but still wouldn't work?? The little
collector
pan at the bottom was empty and dry also.... Any ideas??
Steve

If the compressor is running "continuously", you don't need
a hard start kit.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Steve" wrote in message
...
On Jan 12, 7:05 pm, "Colbyt"
wrote:
"Steve" wrote in message

...
On Jan 12, 6:02 am, Phil Again
wrote:



http://www.appliancepartspros.com
(I am just using their site as example, there are other
sites that sell
discount appliance parts.)

You did not mention the "I could hear a tick-tick-tick-
sound and apparently
that is a clue
that the relay may not be working. "

in your initial post.

I concur that the starter unit is all you need.

--
Colbyt
Please come visit www.househomerepair.com

Well thank you as well! That only confirms the
diagnosis.......
Steve

I did order the part from that appliancepartspros.com place
but
something sort of curious about it was they had the relay
for about
$20 if you had already replaced the part in the past but if
the part
you were replacing was original you had to get one that cost
about
$38??? So that is the one the sales guy said that I
needed..... Hope
I got the right part.....

How will hard start kit help a fridge which "The compressor
was starting to run continuously and the
lower fridge compartment was barely able to stay at about 43
F. "

The compressor is already running. The symptoms indicate a
problem geting worse, and worse.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Phil Again" wrote in message
m...

I hope the kit fixes your freezer. If it does...well then
your choice on
spending $20.00.

Phil

On Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:06:26 -0500, Stormin Mormon wrote:

If the compressor is running "continuously", you don't need a hard start
kit.

You obviously don't believe this, but with Whirlpool appliances, the
compressor making a "noise" does not necessarily mean the refrigeration
gas is actually getting cold. Only after the repair tech replaced my
relay kit a while back was I aware of the difference between the cooling
unit making a noise and actual proper operating sounds; difference is
very subtle. There is also no very quite "Tic..Tic..Tic" as Steve
reported.

Steve always has the option: replace the Kit, or call a service tech.
His choice, but the gamble of a $38.00 plus shipping charges sounds like
a good bet. BTW: Whirlpool doesn't have a way for homeowners to recharge
the refrigeration gas.

Phil

"Phil Again" wrote in message
m...
On Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:06:26 -0500, Stormin Mormon wrote:

If the compressor is running "continuously", you don't need a hard start
kit.

You obviously don't believe this, but with Whirlpool appliances, the
compressor making a "noise" does not necessarily mean the refrigeration
gas is actually getting cold. Only after the repair tech replaced my
relay kit a while back was I aware of the difference between the cooling
unit making a noise and actual proper operating sounds; difference is
very subtle. There is also no very quite "Tic..Tic..Tic" as Steve
reported.


I am posting this based on limited experience with this subject. I responded
as I did based on the clicking sounds.

The interior fans and the evap fans are running hence the noise. That is not
the compressor but it is noise from the general area of the compressor. a
definitive test would be to place your hand on the compressor and see if it
is running. You can feel it and it will warm, hot if low on Freon.

The clicking sound is the start capacitor trying to start the unit.

If it has never been replaced the more expensive plug in part is the right
choice.

If like my unit it was replaced with a generic unit where the wires were cut
and wire nutted together the cheaper part might be the right choice.


--
Colbyt
Please come visit www.househomerepair.com

On Jan 13, 8:46*am, Phil Again wrote:
On Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:06:26 -0500, Stormin Mormon wrote:
If the compressor is running "continuously", you don't need a hard start
kit.

You obviously don't believe this, but with Whirlpool appliances, the
compressor making a "noise" does not necessarily mean the refrigeration
gas is actually getting cold. *Only after the repair tech replaced my
relay kit a while back was I aware of the difference between the cooling
unit making a noise and actual proper operating sounds; difference is
very subtle. There is also no very quite "Tic..Tic..Tic" as Steve
reported.

Steve always has the option: replace the Kit, or call a service tech. *
His choice, but the gamble of a $38.00 plus shipping charges sounds like
a good bet. *BTW: Whirlpool doesn't have a way for homeowners to recharge
the refrigeration gas.

Phil

Update: Installed the starter relay overload this weekend (the part
was back ordered for several weeks) and lo and behold the fridge works
again!! Thanks to all who contributed information!
Steve