Kenmore Refrigerator Not Cooling at all - Compressor

Symptoms:

Refrigerator lights on
refrigerator evaporator fan running
refrigerator condenser fan running
refrigerator compressor cold or not vibrating

This video will help you diagnose and repair a refrigerator that has stopped getting cold. We'll walk you through what to check first to identify that the problem is occurring at your refrigerator compressor. General information about the evaporator fan, condenser fan, and the refrigerator relay, capacitor, and overload protector, will be provided. Most importantly, an explanation of the general operation of your mechanical-style refrigerator will be discussed.

Check to make sure that the refrigerator has power. Are the evaporator fan and condenser fan running? If yes, you will need to examine the refrigerator compressor. Feel the refrigerator compressor to see if it is running with your hand. Be careful, the compressor may be pretty hot. the compressor should be warm or hot, and it should vibrate. If the refrigerator is warm, and the compressor is cold, you could have a problem with the components that are used to start the compressor. A 3-n-1 start kit replaces the old relay, capacitor, and overload protector - and can help kickstart your compressor. This is a cheap and easy repair that may save your fridge for a long time. If you have a bad compressor, this repair won't last long and you'll have to toss your fridge. It is difficult to determine what caused your starting components to fail, so you may be fortunate that the problem occurred due to decay of the parts, rather than an internal fault with the refrigerator compressor itself.

[imvesuvio]

I'm so grateful for this video. No repairmen in my area at all, so Kitchenaide said to scrap it and buy a new one (to the tune of $2, 000. Watched your video, paid $80 for parts and $20 for overnight shipping, and in about 5 minutes the fridge was working again. You just saved me $1, 900!! THANK YOU!!

[something_stronger]

Very informative video. I followed your advice.

1. Unplug the appliance from outlet.

****(Very important to do.)***

2. I checked the fan for blockages, fan spun freely by hand. Checked that the relay was connected and cleaned the coils.

3. Plugged the appliance back in and after moments and couple taps on compressor(with plastic handle of screwdriver). Fan started spinning and compressor is running.

***May need 3 in 1 in future. As of right now, fan is spinning and compressor is working.***

Definitely a big thumbs up. Thank you for posting this video.👍🏻👍👍👍

[shantanumanna]

My 1998 Whirlpool Side by Side Refrigerator stopped cooling. The fans were working, and I heard clicking noise. I measured resistance using a multi-meter across the common and run and start pins It was with in the range. I followed your video. Ordered a Supco parts from Amazon. Today I connected it as you shown in video. The compressor is working now and fridge is cooling. THANK YOU!

[gregsewell]

Thanks to this video I was able to diagnose and fix my fridge as I have the same unit. I used a volt meter and tested the overload protector, which tested good. The start relay was bad though when I tested it. I looked on Amazon and found numerous generic replacements for $8-$11. But was going to take two days to get to me. I went to my local appliance repair store. They wanted $53 for the exact replacement parts (overload protector & start relay), but I only needed the start relay. And for reference, the start relay is the part that has the wires plugged into it. The start relay is then plugged into the overload protector, which in turn plugs into the compressor. I could further tell that the start relay was faulty, as when I shook the start relay in my hand I could hear broken parts inside rattling around inside. So luckily the appliance repair store sold a generic start relay for only $15. I brought it home, plugged the wires in it, plugged it into the overload protector and the fridge's compressor started right up. So my advice would be not to waste your time cutting and splicing wires and buying the 3 in 1 kit as indicated in this video. It's so much easier (and cheaper) to just buy the generic start relay and or overload protector if needed. Just pull those two parts off your fridge and do a search on Amazon with your fridge's brand, plus the words start relay or overload protector. And FYI, most of the items on Amazon come with both parts, even if you only actually needed the one. And another tip.... Make sure to pull the bottom front grill plate off the fridge and vacuum out all the dust that's accumulated on the coils. An air compressor works really good for this too. Good luck, you can do this!

[vksystacom]

This was perfect! My fridge had a separate capacitor, so I just cut the blue wire and left it there. My 23-year-old fridge is working perfectly! Thank you!

[TheKaraima]

Thanks for the video and knowledge. I was able to revive my 20 year old Kenmore side by side. It’s cooling great again.

[jamiemorgan]

Best video. Saved my fridge several months ago. I happened to buy two kits and didn't need the other one for my father in laws dirty fridge coils. Just had my best friend call and need that kit for his. I told him to come get it and I'll find the video for you. Thank you so much!

[sundown]

Worked perfectly. Thank God a appliance mega store 20 min near me had plenty of this exact 3 way combination (3 'n 1 start) kits. PN: RC0410. 1/4 to 1/3 hp. 120v. Fixed it myself took only 5 minutes the same day it died. 30+ year Kenmore fridge (Frigidaire) You saved my food. Thank You!

[John_Austin]

Tim! You saved me!

Thanks so much - you saved me what was probably going to be a several hundred dollar service call - money I didn't have!
The only problem I encountered was that I had 3 wires going into the compressor instead of just 2, one red and the other two white. I connected the two white wires to one of the two black wires going out of the new 3-in-1 starter and the red wire to the other black line going out. Now I have a working fridge!

[ignz]

Ma man, I have a whirlpool refrigerator and the relay was rattling, I knew that was the problem, based on this video info, even tho I haven't used 3 in 1 kit I identified the problem based of the info u provided. Total cost $39 and 7 mins on youtube! you guys are great! saved me 2k. Love u guys!

[stevenpgross]

This exact repair worked PERFECTLY in our Kenmore. I know nothing about fridges and have never worked on one. Yet, following these instructions, using the same part, the fridge was humming again in 10 minutes! I owe you guys one. Thanks. very much for providing this video.

[vipnetworker]

Thanks, this video was very helpful. I had a repairman come out and said to do this exact task would cost $200 labor and $70 for the exact same part.

I bought the part online for $10 and did it myself in less than 15 minutes.

I have never done anything like this before, but it was super simple, thanks to this video.

I’m amazed how many things I’ve learned to fix via Youtube.

Thanks 👍🏻

[rchumsae]

Dude! This video saved my ass big time! Ordered the part you linked on amazon, wired that bad boy up and my compressor came right to life! Hope it lasts a long time! Thanks so much for posting this!

[jrodriguez]

Thanks for the video and Amazon link. Kept my fridge from the trash can and saved $$$

[areli]

Fantastic!!! It worked. What was doomed, it’s now alive. Thanks a chilled kenmore fridge.

[koleyw]

I got the 3-1 start on Amazon for about 13.00-good deal. My husband just installed it, and the clicking sound from the relays has stopped-yay! Thanks so much for posting this helpful tutorial, you've saved us some money-I hope it works for awhile.

[annricks]

Very informative, my son was able to install the relay and the capitator on my Frigidaire fridge for just the price of the parts. Very thankful for the video.

[dkorwood]

Worked perfectly and thank you for simple explanation and fix. Got our part from online order in 2 daysfrom McCombs supply company for $12 including postage!

[terrynichols]

Thank you for this video worked like a charm. I've been released from the dog house and earned a few points in the process.

[SkatedontHate]

Thank you Byrd Appliance Specialists. After watching your very helpful video and purchasing the part that you recommend I was able to replace the relay and get my ten year old Kenmore upright freezer humming again like new. I was considering tossing the old appliance but was reluctant to do so until I looked on YouTube to see if there was a simple fix. Your video was tremendous and gave me the confidence that I could resurrect the old freezer. It took me a little longer than it did your technician; however, It was up and running after thirty minutes or so. Thanks again for sharing this information. Very happy in Oklahoma.