How to Troubleshoot Compressor Problems in Refrigerators

This #diy video shows how to #diagnose and #repair a refrigerator with compressor problems.

This video from Sears PartsDirect shows how to troubleshoot problems with your refrigerator’s compressor. The compressor circulates refrigerant throughout the cooling system. If your refrigerator’s not cooling, the compressor could be to blame.

1. Check for power.
Make sure the refrigerator light is on.

2. Check the condenser fan.
Remove the machine compartment cover.
• If the condenser fan runs, you know the compressor also is getting power be getting power, because the compressor shares a circuit with the condenser fan motor on most refrigerators.
• If it doesn’t run, skip to step 4.

3. Check the PTC start relay.
For safety, unplug the refrigerator.
Unhook the retainer clip and pull the PTC start relay out of the refrigerator. Shake the start relay:
• If the start relay rattles, replace the start relay.
• If the start relay doesn't rattle, check for continuity by putting one multi-meter lead into terminal 5 and the other lead into terminal 6.
o If you detect an open circuit between those terminals, the meter will read 1 in the far left digit. You’ll need to replace the PTC relay.
o If the start relay's okay, you may have a defective compressor.

4. Enter diagnostic test mode.
If the condenser fan wasn’t running in Step 2, the refrigerator may have a defective electronic control board or a bad temperature sensor.

Many refrigerators have a diagnostic test mode to check refrigerator operations.

To enter diagnostic test mode on this Kenmore model, quickly press the light switch 3 times, then press and hold it a 4th time until you hear a long beep. The refrigerator is now in test mode. (If this method doesn’t work on your model, check the tech sheet for instructions. It’s either behind the bottom front grill or taped to the back of the refrigerator.)

In test mode, press the door switch twice to start the compressor. The control beeps twice, and you should hear the compressor start. If the compressor runs in the diagnostic test mode, go to the next step.

5. Check the thermistor.
A bad thermistor prevents the compressor from running in normal operating mode. The diagnostic test mode forces the compressor to run whether the thermistor is broken or not. If the compressor doesn't start in the diagnostic test mode, go to the next step.

6. Check continuity from the electronic control board through the compressor circuit.
With the refrigerator unplugged, remove the screw that holds the control box.

Pull the control box down and remove the electronic control board.

Unplug the connector from the compressor circuit. Put one multimeter lead on the red wire and the other on the blue wire.
• A reading of about 5 ohms indicates continuity in the compressor circuit which means you probably have to replace the electronic control board, because the board isn’t sending voltage through the circuit to the compressor.
• If the meter displays a 1 in the far left digit on the meter, look for pinched or broken wires in the control board harness and on the wires leading up to the compressor. Repair or replace any broken wires that you find.

7. Check continuity on the control board harness.
Even if the wires look ok, check continuity in the control board harness. Unplug the wire harness and check continuity between the ceiling plug and the control board plug on the blue wire and the red wire.

If the control board harness is ok, plug the harness back in and check continuity between the red wire at the control board plug and the red wire on the compressor plug.

If the red wire is good, check the blue wire.

If both wires have continuity, and the start relay wasn't the problem, have the compressor replaced.

Or call 1-800-437-1673 to speak with a parts specialist.

The video includes these parts. Look up your model to make sure you get the right parts for your refrigerator.
Thermistor
Start relay
Electronic control board

Find parts for your refrigerator at:

[jossepi]

Thanks for this video! I managed to narrow my fridge's problem down to the control board with these steps. Got a new control board off amazon in 2 days for $100. Worked like a charm.

[aakash]

Old school, straight to the point info. Thank you.

[vishnary]

Your comment about checking the start relay for a rattle at 0:50 was all I needed to get my refrigerator working again. The tech also mentioned making sure that the condenser fan was working properly AND to make sure the coils were properly cleaned or the start relay would be fried again in a month or two. As it turns out my coils had a lot of dust. He said that blowing them out is best since cleaning them out with a vacuum is not possible. There was no way I was going to blow that dust all over my house even wrapping the fridge with damp towels as suggested. I used an adapter on my shop-vac and a 20" section of heavy duty garden hose to vacuum out the coils. I lost a lot of food but it could have been much worse. Many thanks for helping me save about $1, 200 to replace a perfectly good refrigerator that simply had a bad relay and needed a thorough cleaning!

[MathieuTechMoto]

Exceptionnal and easy video, IMPORTANT NOTE : in my case it happened twice on two fridge that i had to disconnect it for 24 hours with a fan blowing on it, as there was an accumulation of ice inside the air passages that was blocking the air circulation

[stephendonahue]

Thank you for the direct troubleshooting tips

[GlennHHiggs]

This video was actually very informative! Thank you!

[abdullmajiidmohamedbadel]

i will watch this a million times. thanks paps

[fairystone]

Perfect video! Trying to figure out why our refrigerator is working for a day and everything melts. Everything is clean. I will start with the fuse. Thanks for the video.

[MegaBpop]

Very good video, easy to understand. Thank you.

[hardkore]

interesting, I don't necessarily agree that rattling relay ALWAYS means you have bad relay. I took that starter relay apart and basically what rattles inside is a the contact assembly and a magnet/spring assembly. When the relay coil is energized with 120VAC it attracts the internal magnet to make the contact assembly mate with the relay's terminals, thereby completing the circuit to the compressor. HOWEVER, the main reason some of these relays rattle is because they need to be installed a certain way, my relay for instance has an UP indication which when placed in this orientation on the compressor has the internal contact assembly being separated from the relay terminals and does not complete the circuit to the compressor. Only after the relay coil is energized does the contact assembly close and therefore energizing the compressor. In my case, the contacts had ALOT of corrosion on them and so when the power was provided to the relay coil, the contacts would mate, but no continuity was there to tell the compressor to turn on. Only after cleaning the relay contacts did this solve my problem. At the end of the day the relay is not expensive, maybe $15 at most with shipping, but I was able to re-use my old relay with a simple cleaning as I was curious as how the internals of the elecromechanical starter relay worked. just my two cents.

[MrsTiffanyMartinez]

Greetings.
I wanted to listen to this video to learn more about compressors. My fridge isn't like this one, it's the French door fridge with the pull out freezer. I have been told that I have a bad compressor.

Is there a chance that it's the relay switch and or just out of freon?

The compressor does make a clicking sound but the fan at the bottom of the fridge in the back does turn on.

Gratitude for your time.

[darkphotographer]

thanks, ,,i fix my fridge thanks to you, , it was the relay, , 25$ in parts, , and good to go, , !!!

[cheflepore]

My compressor is working or at least running. All fans running. Checked contuinitybon compressor getting a zero reading. I have no external start relay. Any ideas.

[eman]

Do you know why a fridge even with a new fan putted on, and damper open and defrost system working fine still not reaching air to bottom? this is the second fridge i having the same problem, first one we replaced the whole refrigerator, but i would like to figure out this problem.. thanks in advance for your response, , . oh by the way when i open the freezer door i feel the air coming down from the damper but not when i close the door completely, , . very rear..

[CUEBALL]

Kind of a vague title, not really how to diagnose a compressor problem in every fridge, but in this model and ones similar from Kenmore this is ok.

[johnfallon]

Have a 2006 sxs #106.56666502 have loose red wire and no schematic to show wiring so I can reattach to begin testing to find why not running.

[drinktillwerefunny]

Good video, keep 'em coming &THX

[TheCristiano]

well my compressor and both fans works good. but it is not cooling neither in the freezer or the fridge compartment what could be the problem?

[chrisellwood]

I have two frdiges that turn on ok but after 5 minutes motor switches off. Then motor comes on again like a cycle. Not thermostat. Could the filter driers be clogged?

[Melgjorge]

How about the LG/Kenmore Linear compressors.