We have a bog standard larder fridge about 4 years old which is suddenly
not doing anything at all - it might as well be unplugged but for the
fact that the light is on! Otherwise, dead as doornail. Stat is
switched to maximum.

I'm guessing a faulty thermostat (= probably diy repairable) or
compressor (= new fridge time) - is that about right?

If so, any ideas how to distinguish these? Google ain't helping.

Thanks
--
David

On 05/04/2013 12:58, Lobster wrote:
We have a bog standard larder fridge about 4 years old which is suddenly
not doing anything at all - it might as well be unplugged but for the
fact that the light is on! Otherwise, dead as doornail. Stat is
switched to maximum.

I'm guessing a faulty thermostat (= probably diy repairable) or
compressor (= new fridge time) - is that about right?

If so, any ideas how to distinguish these? Google ain't helping.

Check with a neon screwdriver to see if live is reaching the compressor
motor. If it is then the motor has probably failed and if it isn't
provide a new path to power the motor to see if it will run (ie bridge
the thermostat output contacts). Remember mains voltage can be lethal.

--
Regards,
Martin Brown

"Martin Brown" wrote in message
...
On 05/04/2013 12:58, Lobster wrote:
We have a bog standard larder fridge about 4 years old which is suddenly
not doing anything at all - it might as well be unplugged but for the
fact that the light is on! Otherwise, dead as doornail. Stat is
switched to maximum.

I'm guessing a faulty thermostat (= probably diy repairable) or
compressor (= new fridge time) - is that about right?

If so, any ideas how to distinguish these? Google ain't helping.

Check with a neon screwdriver to see if live is reaching the compressor
motor. If it is then the motor has probably failed and if it isn't provide
a new path to power the motor to see if it will run (ie bridge the
thermostat output contacts). Remember mains voltage can be lethal.

Yes.
It is almost certainly the stat. Cheap online and easy to fit.

On Friday, April 5, 2013 12:58:34 PM UTC+1, Lobster wrote:

We have a bog standard larder fridge about 4 years old which is suddenly
not doing anything at all - it might as well be unplugged but for the
fact that the light is on! Otherwise, dead as doornail. Stat is
switched to maximum.
I'm guessing a faulty thermostat (= probably diy repairable) or
compressor (= new fridge time) - is that about right?
If so, any ideas how to distinguish these? Google ain't helping.
Thanks

Thermostat, compressor, overheat cutout or wiring fault. A multimeter will soon show you which. All diy fixable but the compressor.


NT

wrote in message
...
On Friday, April 5, 2013 12:58:34 PM UTC+1, Lobster wrote:

We have a bog standard larder fridge about 4 years old which is suddenly
not doing anything at all - it might as well be unplugged but for the
fact that the light is on! Otherwise, dead as doornail. Stat is
switched to maximum.
I'm guessing a faulty thermostat (= probably diy repairable) or
compressor (= new fridge time) - is that about right?
If so, any ideas how to distinguish these? Google ain't helping.
Thanks

Thermostat, compressor, overheat cutout or wiring fault. A multimeter will
soon show you which. All diy fixable but the compressor.

The relay is unlikely as is a wiring fault.
I forgot to mention that if the compressor is "clicking" it is ****ed.
It's the stat.

In message , Martin Brown
writes
On 05/04/2013 12:58, Lobster wrote:
We have a bog standard larder fridge about 4 years old which is suddenly
not doing anything at all - it might as well be unplugged but for the
fact that the light is on! Otherwise, dead as doornail. Stat is
switched to maximum.

I'm guessing a faulty thermostat (= probably diy repairable) or
compressor (= new fridge time) - is that about right?

If so, any ideas how to distinguish these? Google ain't helping.

Check with a neon screwdriver

Never check anything with a neon screwdriver

to see if live is reaching the compressor motor. If it is then the
motor has probably failed and if it isn't provide a new path to power
the motor to see if it will run (ie bridge the thermostat output
contacts). Remember mains voltage can be lethal.


--
geoff

Well if the motor is running but nothing is getting hort or cold its either
leaked or its the pump itself. if its no running then one needs to bypass
the thermostat and see if it runs and starts cooling if yes its the
thermostat, if no then its the motor.

Brian

--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active
"Lobster" wrote in message
...
We have a bog standard larder fridge about 4 years old which is suddenly
not doing anything at all - it might as well be unplugged but for the fact
that the light is on! Otherwise, dead as doornail. Stat is switched to
maximum.

I'm guessing a faulty thermostat (= probably diy repairable) or compressor
(= new fridge time) - is that about right?

If so, any ideas how to distinguish these? Google ain't helping.

Thanks
--
David

On 05/04/2013 22:51, geoff wrote:
In message , Martin Brown
writes
On 05/04/2013 12:58, Lobster wrote:
We have a bog standard larder fridge about 4 years old which is suddenly
not doing anything at all - it might as well be unplugged but for the
fact that the light is on! Otherwise, dead as doornail. Stat is
switched to maximum.

I'm guessing a faulty thermostat (= probably diy repairable) or
compressor (= new fridge time) - is that about right?

If so, any ideas how to distinguish these? Google ain't helping.

Check with a neon screwdriver

Never check anything with a neon screwdriver

You reasoning such as it is being?

to see if live is reaching the compressor motor. If it is then the
motor has probably failed and if it isn't provide a new path to power
the motor to see if it will run (ie bridge the thermostat output
contacts). Remember mains voltage can be lethal.




--
Regards,
Martin Brown

On 05/04/2013 12:58, Lobster wrote:
We have a bog standard larder fridge about 4 years old which is suddenly
not doing anything at all - it might as well be unplugged but for the
fact that the light is on! Otherwise, dead as doornail. Stat is
switched to maximum.

I'm guessing a faulty thermostat (= probably diy repairable) or
compressor (= new fridge time) - is that about right?

If so, any ideas how to distinguish these? Google ain't helping.

Thanks
Check the motor starter and cut-out assembly. Usually a single unit
plugged into the side of the motor.
If there is power getting to the starter but the motor does not start
and then there is a click or a ping from the cut out then it's either
the motor or the starter.
Motors (if they have an external starter) have 3 connections, a common,
a run winding and a start winding. Power is applied to the run winding
and to the starter winding via the starter for a second of so to get the
motor running.
It then runs using the run winding.
Check that the starter is not open circuit (replaceable), check that the
start or run winding are not open circuit (new compressor).
Have a look here
http://fridgeman.wordpress.com/2008/...t-circuits-ii/

Dave
By the way - take care - mains voltage can kill.

--
Blow my nose to email me

On Saturday, April 6, 2013 8:38:31 AM UTC+1, Martin Brown wrote:
On 05/04/2013 22:51, geoff wrote:

Never check anything with a neon screwdriver

You reasoning such as it is being?

http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?...on_screwdriver

In message , Martin Brown
writes
On 05/04/2013 22:51, geoff wrote:
In message , Martin Brown
writes
On 05/04/2013 12:58, Lobster wrote:
We have a bog standard larder fridge about 4 years old which is suddenly
not doing anything at all - it might as well be unplugged but for the
fact that the light is on! Otherwise, dead as doornail. Stat is
switched to maximum.

I'm guessing a faulty thermostat (= probably diy repairable) or
compressor (= new fridge time) - is that about right?

If so, any ideas how to distinguish these? Google ain't helping.

Check with a neon screwdriver

Never check anything with a neon screwdriver

You reasoning such as it is being?

1/ I don't like them
2/ they are unreliable and ambiguous [1]
3/ the can be dangerous if damaged

[1] - "ooh look I've got live on the live and neutral"



to see if live is reaching the compressor motor. If it is then the
motor has probably failed and if it isn't provide a new path to power
the motor to see if it will run (ie bridge the thermostat output
contacts). Remember mains voltage can be lethal.





--
geoff

On 06/04/2013 12:34, geoff wrote:
In message , Martin Brown
writes
On 05/04/2013 22:51, geoff wrote:
In message , Martin Brown
writes
On 05/04/2013 12:58, Lobster wrote:
We have a bog standard larder fridge about 4 years old which is
suddenly
not doing anything at all - it might as well be unplugged but for the
fact that the light is on! Otherwise, dead as doornail. Stat is
switched to maximum.

I'm guessing a faulty thermostat (= probably diy repairable) or
compressor (= new fridge time) - is that about right?

If so, any ideas how to distinguish these? Google ain't helping.

Check with a neon screwdriver

Never check anything with a neon screwdriver

You reasoning such as it is being?

1/ I don't like them
2/ they are unreliable and ambiguous [1]
3/ the can be dangerous if damaged

[1] - "ooh look I've got live on the live and neutral"

They are safe enough if you know what you are doing.

--
Regards,
Martin Brown

On 05/04/2013 19:11, Huge wrote:
On 2013-04-05, wrote:
On Friday, April 5, 2013 12:58:34 PM UTC+1, Lobster wrote:

We have a bog standard larder fridge about 4 years old which is suddenly
not doing anything at all - it might as well be unplugged but for the
fact that the light is on! Otherwise, dead as doornail. Stat is
switched to maximum.
I'm guessing a faulty thermostat (= probably diy repairable) or
compressor (= new fridge time) - is that about right?
If so, any ideas how to distinguish these? Google ain't helping.
Thanks

Thermostat, compressor, overheat cutout or wiring fault. A multimeter will soon show you which. All diy fixable but the compressor.

Doesn't even need a meter for the most common fault; thermostat. Take the
cover off and short it out. If the frig springs into life, it's the
'stat.

Thanks all - I went through the above and evidently it's the stat which
is indeed faulty.

I've just ordered another one, but pretty damned expensive I thought -
£38 delivered (despite much googling!); and that's for a cheapo fridge
costing IIRC about £120. Decided it was *just* worth repairing as it's
only 3-4 years old. No doubt I'll regret that decision...!

--
David

In message , Martin Brown
writes
On 06/04/2013 12:34, geoff wrote:
In message , Martin Brown
writes
On 05/04/2013 22:51, geoff wrote:
In message , Martin Brown
writes
On 05/04/2013 12:58, Lobster wrote:
We have a bog standard larder fridge about 4 years old which is
suddenly
not doing anything at all - it might as well be unplugged but for the
fact that the light is on! Otherwise, dead as doornail. Stat is
switched to maximum.

I'm guessing a faulty thermostat (= probably diy repairable) or
compressor (= new fridge time) - is that about right?

If so, any ideas how to distinguish these? Google ain't helping.

Check with a neon screwdriver

Never check anything with a neon screwdriver

You reasoning such as it is being?

1/ I don't like them
2/ they are unreliable and ambiguous [1]
3/ the can be dangerous if damaged

[1] - "ooh look I've got live on the live and neutral"

They are safe enough if you know what you are doing.

People who know what they are doing DON'T use neon screwdrivers

--
geoff

On Saturday, April 6, 2013 5:17:37 PM UTC+1, Lobster wrote:

Thanks all - I went through the above and evidently it's the stat which
is indeed faulty.
I've just ordered another one, but pretty damned expensive I thought -
£38 delivered (despite much googling!); and that's for a cheapo fridge
costing IIRC about £120. Decided it was *just* worth repairing as it's
only 3-4 years old. No doubt I'll regret that decision...!

Cleaning the contacts didn't fix it?


NT

On 06/04/2013 19:18, wrote:
On Saturday, April 6, 2013 5:17:37 PM UTC+1, Lobster wrote:

Thanks all - I went through the above and evidently it's the stat which
is indeed faulty.
I've just ordered another one, but pretty damned expensive I thought -
£38 delivered (despite much googling!); and that's for a cheapo fridge
costing IIRC about £120. Decided it was *just* worth repairing as it's
only 3-4 years old. No doubt I'll regret that decision...!

Cleaning the contacts didn't fix it?

AFAICS that's the first mention in this thread of cleaning any contacts;
so, no...

--
David

"Lobster" wrote in message
...
On 06/04/2013 19:18, wrote:
On Saturday, April 6, 2013 5:17:37 PM UTC+1, Lobster wrote:

Thanks all - I went through the above and evidently it's the stat which
is indeed faulty.
I've just ordered another one, but pretty damned expensive I thought -
£38 delivered (despite much googling!); and that's for a cheapo fridge
costing IIRC about £120. Decided it was *just* worth repairing as it's
only 3-4 years old. No doubt I'll regret that decision...!

Cleaning the contacts didn't fix it?

AFAICS that's the first mention in this thread of cleaning any contacts;
so, no...

The capillary tube is full of vapor. If it clamps to the evaporator plate is
has probably rotted through.

On 06/04/2013 17:18, geoff wrote:
In message , Martin Brown
writes
On 06/04/2013 12:34, geoff wrote:
In message , Martin Brown
writes
On 05/04/2013 22:51, geoff wrote:
In message , Martin
Brown writes
On 05/04/2013 12:58, Lobster wrote:
We have a bog standard larder fridge about 4 years old
which is suddenly not doing anything at all - it might as
well be unplugged but for the fact that the light is on!
Otherwise, dead as doornail. Stat is switched to
maximum.

I'm guessing a faulty thermostat (= probably diy
repairable) or compressor (= new fridge time) - is that
about right?

If so, any ideas how to distinguish these? Google ain't
helping.

Check with a neon screwdriver

Never check anything with a neon screwdriver

You reasoning such as it is being?

1/ I don't like them 2/ they are unreliable and ambiguous [1] 3/
the can be dangerous if damaged

[1] - "ooh look I've got live on the live and neutral"

They are safe enough if you know what you are doing.

People who know what they are doing DON'T use neon screwdrivers


Perhaps some of us can discriminate between the various the levels of
light output according to potential.

Saying "People who know what they are doing DON'T use neon screwdrivers"
simply isn't true.

Fredxx wrote:
On 06/04/2013 17:18, geoff wrote:
In message , Martin Brown
writes
On 06/04/2013 12:34, geoff wrote:
In message , Martin Brown
writes
On 05/04/2013 22:51, geoff wrote:
In message , Martin
Brown writes
On 05/04/2013 12:58, Lobster wrote:
We have a bog standard larder fridge about 4 years old
which is suddenly not doing anything at all - it might
as well be unplugged but for the fact that the light is
on! Otherwise, dead as doornail. Stat is switched to
maximum.

I'm guessing a faulty thermostat (= probably diy
repairable) or compressor (= new fridge time) - is that
about right?

If so, any ideas how to distinguish these? Google ain't
helping.

Check with a neon screwdriver

Never check anything with a neon screwdriver

You reasoning such as it is being?

1/ I don't like them 2/ they are unreliable and ambiguous [1] 3/
the can be dangerous if damaged

[1] - "ooh look I've got live on the live and neutral"

They are safe enough if you know what you are doing.

People who know what they are doing DON'T use neon screwdrivers


Perhaps some of us can discriminate between the various the levels of
light output according to potential.

Saying "People who know what they are doing DON'T use neon
screwdrivers" simply isn't true.

People who know what they are doing are not allowed to use neon
screwdrivers.

--
Adam

On Sunday, April 7, 2013 2:53:24 PM UTC+1, Fredxx wrote:
On 06/04/2013 17:18, geoff wrote:

People who know what they are doing DON'T use neon screwdrivers

Perhaps some of us can discriminate between the various the levels of
light output according to potential.

Saying "People who know what they are doing DON'T use neon screwdrivers"
simply isn't true.

Light output level is irrelevant to the safety problems of neon screwedrivers. They produce false positives and false negatives, hence are not a safe tool and thus not legal to use on live circuits for work purposes.


NT

In message , Fredxx
writes
On 06/04/2013 17:18, geoff wrote:
In message , Martin Brown
writes
On 06/04/2013 12:34, geoff wrote:
In message , Martin Brown
writes
On 05/04/2013 22:51, geoff wrote:
In message , Martin
Brown writes
On 05/04/2013 12:58, Lobster wrote:
We have a bog standard larder fridge about 4 years old
which is suddenly not doing anything at all - it might as
well be unplugged but for the fact that the light is on!
Otherwise, dead as doornail. Stat is switched to
maximum.

I'm guessing a faulty thermostat (= probably diy
repairable) or compressor (= new fridge time) - is that
about right?

If so, any ideas how to distinguish these? Google ain't
helping.

Check with a neon screwdriver

Never check anything with a neon screwdriver

You reasoning such as it is being?

1/ I don't like them 2/ they are unreliable and ambiguous [1] 3/
the can be dangerous if damaged

[1] - "ooh look I've got live on the live and neutral"

They are safe enough if you know what you are doing.

People who know what they are doing DON'T use neon screwdrivers


Perhaps some of us can discriminate between the various the levels of
light output according to potential.

Saying "People who know what they are doing DON'T use neon screwdrivers"
simply isn't true.

FFS - that life you never had - why not go and hunt it down before it's
too late


--
geoff