Frigidaire refrigerators are built to last. If you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, then the services of a master will not be needed for a long time. But over time, any technique breaks down or fails. Some parts and elements fail, which leads to a malfunction of household appliances. If you encounter a powered Frigidaire refrigerator that stops cooling, there can be several reasons for this – from a broken evaporator fan to an exit from the main control board. If your appliances stopped working properly, we suggest finding out the reasons why the refrigerator stopped working. You will also learn how to identify and fix a breakdown without involving a master.
Propagation of the reasons why the refrigerator does not cool
The cause of the breakdown can be any, it is not always possible to find out on your own what is broken in the technique, but you can try. We have collected the most popular reasons why the refrigerator stops cooling.
If the equipment is connected to the network, but it does not receive power, the problem may be in the power supply. But sometimes it can also be a worn power cord, damage to internal wiring, or a malfunction in the outlet itself.
First you need to exclude the most obvious options, to do this, check the outlet with another device, visually inspect the power cord. If everything is in order with this, then some element of the refrigerator is faulty, which is why cooling does not occur. In most cases, you will have to replace the failed part to get it back up and running. It often happens that the refrigerator cannot be repaired, but this is the worst possible scenario. There is always a chance to repair the equipment with your own hands or by the master. Let’s take a look at the most common cooling problems in Frigidaire refrigerators.
Evaporator fan motor failed
The evaporator in refrigerators is responsible for cooling the refrigerator. When the refrigerant enters the condenser and becomes a liquid, it then enters the evaporator. There it turns back into a gas, taking heat with it from the air in the refrigerator compartment as it evaporates. The evaporator fan moves cold air from the evaporator to the interior of the refrigerator.
Why does not it work
The evaporator fan is powered by an electric motor, as is the condenser fan. Both of them can fail for several reasons: worn parts, or clogged blades. If the fan is not working, the refrigerator will not cool the air.
How to fix
If the electric motor is out of order, then it will not work to fix it, you will have to replace it with a new one. First you need to check whether the fan motor is really out of order or the reason for the breakdown of the refrigerator is something else. You can check it with a multimeter to rule out an electrical malfunction. Be sure to check the fan blades, remove debris and other objects that interfere with work. After that, reconnect the refrigerator to find out if it was possible to fix the breakdown.
Broken temperature thermostat
The thermostat does more than just keep track of the temperature in the refrigerator. It controls the operation of several components at once, switching them to the desired modes. The thermostat tells the compressor and other elements when to turn on and off to maintain the set temperature.
Why does not it work
The thermostat is powered by electricity, so often its breakdown is associated with damage to the wiring or contact assembly inside. The thermostat has a small gas tube to measure the temperature in the refrigerator compartment. By monitoring changes in pressure, the thermostat determines what temperature is in the refrigerator. If the tube is somehow leaking, there is no pressure, so the thermostat is getting the wrong information. He “understands” that the temperature has dropped to the required level (but in fact it is not) and does not include other components in the work.
How to fix
Before fixing the breakdown, you need to make sure that the malfunction is really in the thermostat. To do this, you need to find it and turn it from the lowest position to the highest. At some point, it should make a click. If you do not hear a characteristic click, the thermostat is most likely defective. You can check it with a multimeter to see if power is being supplied to this part. If not, then the thermostat needs to be replaced with a new one. After that, the refrigerator will again cool like new.
Faulty control board
Refrigerators have at least one control board responsible for the operation of other components of the equipment. It is she who maintains the connection between the main elements, so that they can interact and work smoothly. If there is a failure in the control board, the refrigerator will not work as it should, stop cooling the air – that is, perform its direct function.
Why does not it work
The reason for the failure of the control board may be in excessive contact with heat or moisture. It can also be damaged by improper use of equipment. It is very important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations from the instruction manual so that the refrigerator lasts as long as possible.
How to fix
Usually, a defective board cannot be repaired, so it must be replaced with a new one. But before that, you need to make sure that this particular part has broken. To do this, you need to check the rest of the components of the refrigerator, because they fail more often than the control boards.
Fouled condenser coils
The air in the refrigerator compartment is cooled by the refrigerant, which circulates in the refrigerator in a closed circle. With the correct operation of all elements, the refrigerant regularly passes through all components, taking heat from the air. At the beginning of the cycle, it is in the form of a low pressure gas. Next, it must be converted to liquid in the condenser coils using high pressure and low temperature. If faulty components are encountered in the path of the refrigerant, all these transformations do not occur and the air is not cooled.
Why does not it work
To convert a gaseous refrigerant into a liquid, the condenser uses low temperatures and high pressures. To do this, the coils must be in contact with cold air. Over time, after a long operation from the outside, the coils may become contaminated. Dust and dirt accumulate on the surface and isolate the elements. They stop dissipating heat properly due to which the refrigerant is not converted to a liquid or does not completely. Because of this, the refrigerator starts to work harder to cool the air and keep the temperature at the right level.
How to fix
Dealing with this problem is easy enough. To get close to the coils, you need to remove the grate behind which the condenser is located. Use a brush or vacuum cleaner to remove dust from the coils. Before starting work, unplug the refrigerator from the mains. It will take 15-20 minutes for everything, and you will return the refrigerator to working capacity.
You can clean the coils with a brush for cleaning the condenser, they are sold in any hardware stores, and can also be found from manufacturers of household appliances. Such brushes easily penetrate into hard-to-reach places and provide easy care for the details of equipment. The brushes are soft enough not to damage the coils, but they do an excellent job of removing dust and dirt.
The coils can be located in different places, depending on the refrigerator model: in the base near the front or behind the back panel. To gain access to the coils, you will need to move the refrigerator or tilt it.
Broken condenser fan motor
In order for the condenser to work properly, a special fan helps it cool the refrigerant. It pumps air over the fins of the condenser, which speeds up the conversion of the refrigerant in the condenser. If the fan is not working, then the condenser cannot perform its functions at 100%, because not enough air is supplied to cool it quickly.
Why does not it work
The fan is powered by an electric motor, which can eventually wear out or fail for other reasons. For example, the cause of engine failure may be corrosion, or high voltage operation. Thus, the fan cannot be activated and the condensate cannot cope. In the refrigerator, the air cools more slowly or not at all.
How to fix
A broken condenser fan motor usually needs to be replaced. But, before doing this, you need to clarify whether the reason is really in it or other parts of the refrigerator are faulty.
To do this, you need to check if something is preventing the fan blades from spinning. Nothing is blocking the fan, try turning the blades, this will let you know if the motor is blocked. If the blades cannot be rotated, then the engine will need to be replaced.
The fan does not work, but the blades are spinning – perhaps the motor is not getting power. Use a multimeter to check this. After that, you need to inspect the wires, connections or replace the motor if it does not pass the test with a multimeter.
Faulty compressor
Another of the most common reasons why a Frigidaire refrigerator stopped cooling is because the compressor has broken. This part is essentially a pump that drives the refrigerant through the system, forcing it to circulate and cool the air in the refrigerator compartment.
Why does not it work
Compressors do not often fail, but sometimes it happens for several reasons. For example, there is too little or, conversely, too much refrigerant in the system. Because of this, an excessive load is created on the compressor, so it wears out faster and fails. Also, debris, moisture or air can get into it, which also leads to breakage.
How to fix
First you need to check the compressor with a multimeter. If an open circuit is detected, the compressor requires a complete replacement with a refrigerant flush. This can only be done by a specialist; it will not be possible to carry out a number of procedures with your own efforts. This requires not only knowledge, but also equipment.
Start relay broken
The start relay helps start the compressor, that is, the main element of the refrigerator. If the start relay does not work, the compressor will not start, respectively, the refrigerator will not cool.
Why does not it work
The start relay may burn out due to a power surge. Such a simple and understandable reason disables the entire system.
How to fix
A defective start relay needs to be replaced. First you need to check it with a multimeter, and then decide on a replacement or continue to look for the cause in other details. If there is a smell of burning, then this is another sign that the starting relay has really burned out and needs to be replaced with a new one.
Broken start capacitor
The start capacitor, like the start relay, is also needed to start the compressor. In the event of a malfunction, the refrigerator will not work.
Why does not it work
The starting capacitor most often fails when overheated. This is possible when the refrigerator is often turned on and off. A large load is placed on the capacitor and this causes overheating and subsequent breakdown.
How to fix
First you need to check the starting capacitor with a multimeter. If damage is confirmed, replace it with a new one.
Broken thermistor (temperature sensor)
Thermistor is another element of the refrigerator, which allows you to maintain the required temperature in the chamber. It is an electrical resistor that is very sensitive to temperature changes.
Why does not it work
Failure of the thermistor is usually due to overheating, due to natural wear and tear or improper handling of equipment. It stops working when the internal components are separated from each other.
How to fix
Verify that the thermistor is broken with a multimeter. You need to see that when the temperature changes, there is resistance in it, if this is not the case, then the part needs to be replaced.
Conclusion
Frigidaire refrigerators are durable and strong, so the service life of the equipment is quite long. If it becomes warm in the refrigerator compartment, the air is no longer cooled and maintained at the right level, use our tips and tricks. You may be able to fix the problem yourself without involving specialists. If you could not find out the reason, or are not sure that you can replace the broken part, it is better to contact the master.