On 09/23/2010 09:29 AM, Ignoramus30441 wrote:
Well, here's a little update.

After 36 hours of sitting without power, the fridge would not start,
the compressor motor buzzes and shuts off in 20 seconds or so.

So, presumptively, the compressor is seized. I want to know how much
would it cost to replace it, by a fridge repair professional of
course.
Absolutely no WAY should you have let it try to start for 20 second.
About 2 seconds is all it takes to recognize the compressor is not spinning.

One trick to try, after it has cooled, is to whack it with a mallet when
you try to start it. Another thing is to unhook everything, and try to
start the compressor from an extension cord. Figure out the
correct wiring for the run and start windings, and just jury-rig the
required connections. I forget, did this one actually use a start
capacitor? If not, you just wire the start and run windings in
parallel. If it needs a start cap, then definitely TEST the cap
before hooking it up. Hard and stalled-out starts may have fried your
new start cap. If the compressor does start in this configuration,
unplug immediately. You can then reconnect it with some kind of manual
switch for the start winding, and close the switch for a moment right as
you plug it in. Then, let it run long enough to verify that it runs OK
in this mode. If you can get it running properly this way, it means the
starting gear has failed again or something like that in the
refrigerator wiring/controls has gone bad.

The idea is to eliminate as much of the starting controls and safety
controls as possible, and just test the compressor.

Having somebody come OUT and replace the compressor will cost a bundle.
You can possibly buy a replacement compressor, then it is just a little
soldering to put it in. But, the tough thing is getting the refrigerant
charge right. You probably would need an EPA green card to buy the
refrigerant, and a gauge set to put it in. Fitting the fridge with
Schraeder valves is relatively easy when you would be resoldering the
tubes anyway.

I can't imagine you could find anybody to do this kind of service for
under several hundred $.

Jon