Refrigerator Compressor Start Capacitor and Start Relay

Hi,

Many times a freezer and/or refrigeratordo not work right because of a dirty condenser coil...there are also many otherthings that can go wrong. If you are hearing a clicking or buzzing thencheck out the last two tips.

If your refrigerator is running but warm, then...

Check out these tips that I wrote about that... it is a great place to starttrouble shooting your unit...and something that you can do rather then callinga repair person to do a simple thing for you...

Refrigerator Condenser Coil Cleaning Refrigerator Repair

Refrigerator Troubleshooting Refrigerator Compressor

Refrigerator Compressor Start Capacitor and Start Relay
Refrigerator or Freezer not Cooling or Getting Cold

heatman101
= =-

Many times a freezer and/or refrigeratordo not work right because of a dirty condenser coil...there are also many otherthings that can go wrong. If you are hearing a clicking or buzzing then checkout the last two tips.

If your refrigerator is running but warm, then...

Pull the front grill off of the refrigerator and wash that out. Then if you have a good vacuum with a crevice tool, reach in from the front and the back of the refrigerator to remove as much of the dust and dirt as possible. Often I will then use my air compressor to blow out more of the dust and dirt and continue to vacuum as needed. Use patience as you do this, as it will take time and blowing from both the front and back a number of times to really get the coil to clean out.

Now that you know what to do, why wait for the warm weather and for the refrigerator to start acting up before cleaning the coil? Get out the soap and water, the vacuum and air compressor and clean it out now. The cleaning will also help your refrigerator to run more efficiently and save you money.

All the things in your refrigerator are getting warm. The freezer is thawing and when you listen closely you hear a click with a buzz, another little click and then nothing for a few minutes. Then the same thing starts all over again. You fear the worst and you are probably correct. The compressor has decided that it will not start anymore.
When this happens, sometimes it is the fault of the capacitor or the start relay. There is about as good a chance that changing these start components will work as it is that it will not work. If you can do the changing your self then you should get the parts and do the work. You have half a chance that it will work. If you will need to pay someone else to do the work then you need to look hard at what it will cost you and what the unit is worth, then decide to take a chance or not.

If you do decide to change the start components then you need to make sure that you unplug the refrigerator long enough the let the compressor cool completely. Even with new components a hot compressor often will not start. Believe me if your compressor is trying to start and can't then it will be very hot!
Many people have had problems with their refrigerator compressors not starting and wonder what may be the problem. Many times the problem can be traced to the start components. The start relay and the start capacitor work together to help the compressor get started. By giving it a short extra shot of higher voltage current, it gives the compressor the kick to get it turning up to speed.
If your refrigerator compressor is not starting, you can change the start components easily, to see if they are the problem. Usually you will have about a 50-50 chance of the compressor working again by changing these parts.

Hi,

Many times a freezer and/or refrigeratordo not work right because of a dirty condenser coil...there are also many otherthings that can go wrong. If you are hearing a clicking or buzzing then check out thelast two tips.

If your refrigerator is running but warm, then...

Check out these tips that I wrote about that... it is a great place to starttrouble shooting your unit...and something that you can do rather then callinga repair person to do a simple thing for you...

Refrigerator Condenser Coil Cleaning Refrigerator Repair

Refrigerator Troubleshooting Refrigerator Compressor

Refrigerator Compressor Start Capacitor and Start Relay
Refrigerator or Freezer not Cooling or Getting Cold

heatman101

Hello, Many people have had problems with their refrigerator compressors not starting and wonder what may be the problem. Many times the problem can be traced to the start components. The start relay and the start capacitor work together to help the compressor get started. By giving it a short extra shot of higher voltage current, it gives the compressor the kick to get it turning up to speed.

The capacitor is the long round tube on the top of the box that houses the compressor terminals and the start relay.



The start relay is pushed right onto the compressor terminals C and R. It also has two wires that go up to the start capacitor.



The relay can be removed by just pulling out on it away from the compressor off of the pins.



If your refrigerator compressor is not starting, you can change the start components easily, to see if they are the problem. Usually you will have about a 50-50 chance of the compressor working again by changing these parts.



If you are looking for the configuration of the compressor terminals, here is a picture of the terminal cover that shows which terminals are where.
Thanks

Serial, it sounds like your compressor windings are failing. This has a 5 year warranty on it. I've seen this may times. Call for warranty service and have them replace the compressor, Catriver.