Condenser Fan Shuts off after 15-20min, Compressor continues to run but gets hot

Correct, condenser coils remove heat from the freezer compartment, thusly they will be hot. Sounds like the compressor is failing and that is probably giving off a squealing sound and stops running until it stops. Then your compressor will overheat and stop running until the thermal protector cools down and allows it to run again. Try replacing the compressor cooling fan.

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Are you sure its the condenser fan? The fan is attached to the compressor power and wont run unless the compressor is running. On the other hand the fans inside the cooler will run 24/7 and are designed for continuous duty. If someone has worked on the compressor wiring you may have to re establish the wiring following the wiring diagram. I have seen condenser fans wired in hot areas to run continuously to attempt to cool down a hot compressor or compensate for a worn out or damaged condenser that doesn't get rid of the heat from the system. If that is the case a new condensing unit is probably in your future. Hope this helps good luck.

Dose compressor fell too hot ? There could be several things wrong. First you will need to get out your Volt meter to make all test. With unit calling for freeze cycle the condenser fan and compressor should be running. Check at the compressor to make sure your getting power to the over load switch and then through it to compressor. if not then check to see if compressor is to hot and has the switch open> If so then unplug unit to let compressor cool down so switch will close. when switch closes plug unit back up and start up unit check to see it compressor starts if so then you will need to see what is causing compressor to over heat. could be dirty condenser, low charge, fan dropping out, Bad compressor.

Jason,
MOST refrigerators get there cold from the freezer side and circulate it via a fan that's also normally inside the freezer. There are three motors normally in a refrigeration system. The inside Evaporator fan motor that circulates air across the evaporator coil inside the box, the Condenser fan motor near the compressor that cools the freon after compression, and the compressor itself. If you open the doors (and sometimes you may have to hold in the door switches) do you hear a fan running? If not you could have a couple things going on: 1. The fan(s) has failed. 2. The freezer Evap coil may of iced over and the fan too is frozen stopped. 3. Your condensing unit:(compressor, condenser fan, condenser coils) has a problem.
It is important to know if the compressor itself is running. If there is a loose connection to the compressor via the start/over load relay (normally attaches directly onto the compressor), or if the start/over load otself is bad the compressor will not run. Best way to tell is via gauges but I doubt your frig has ports. Check to see if your compressor is really hot. Could be bad start/over load relay or bad compressor. Try unplugging your frig for say 30 min then, with your hand on top of a cool compressor, plug the frig back in and see if compressor smoothly vibrates for at least 5 min without becoming very hot or shutting off even though fan continues to run. The fact your fan is running TYPICALLY means the thermostat is calling for lower temps and the fan/compressor kick in together.



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Hello,
That condenser fan motor needs to be replaced. You and doing the right thing as far as using a seperate fan to keep compressor cool,buy replacing the fan the compressor will run cooler and click off by being too hot as you have heard/seen.

Find your model number and call your local appliance parts store and see if they have a CONDERSER FAN MOTOR in stock

Gene

One amateur test is to place your hand on the compressor and see if it
is too hot to hold your hand on it. You may have a restricted condenser coil
If it is too hot then the condenser coil is restricted inside the unit
if not be sure and clean condenser coils with good coil cleaner.
You can put a fan on the compressor and see if it runs for another test to confirm it
If this was helpful please rate me.

Leo Ponder Appliance-Tyler,Texas
[email protected]

Check the freezer fan to ensure it is operating. If it is and there is at least air movement, maybe cool, but not cold, first thing to check is the condenser coil located either at the rear bottom or front bottom. Make sure it is clean. Dust/dirt can clog the condenser preventing the unit from rejecting the heat. Same as with your central a/c. If the condenser gets dirty/plugged, your a/c will stop cooling. Other possiblity is the compressor is not operating. You should be able to hear it operating, will sound like a low hum with slight vibration. In the event the compressor is not operating, unplug the refrigerator, gently place your hand on the compressor, (it will be found in the rear bottom) to determine if it is warm, hot, etc. If it is hot, leave the refrigerator unplugged for 10-12 hours to cool. There is a thermal overload within the compressor to shut it down in the event of overheating. While the refrigerator is unplugged to cool, make sure the condenser is clean. Most causes of compressor overheating are related to a plugged/dirty condenser. Let me know if this helps.
Richard

The compressor should be OK this time because you caught it in time. But if the condenser fan stops you need to consider replacing the fan. I have had refrigerators do fine until the fan motor warms up and you are away, it stops. Don't think you should use the refrigerator until the fan is fixed. Sea Breeze

which fan is running? evaporator fan or condenser fan?

if the condenser fan is running and the compressor is not, try to feel the compressor if it is VERY hot,
( use caution please)

if it is very hot, unplug the unit, put some wet rags on top of the compressor and let it cool for a while.

after 4 hours, try it again, plug it back and observe the compressor if it would run,

let me know what happen,

tnx 4 using fixya,


drcool

you can check its starting components. it could be a bad capacitor or a bad start relay. if the compressor starts from cold, it could start right away but as it heats up, it should be able to start also, since after running for a few hours, the compressor will really get hot, it would stop at defrost cycle and re start again after about 30 mins. since it is still hot, if it has a defective starting components, it can not start and that is the time it would overheat.

in any case that the starting components are all ok, then you have a partially burnt compressor. it would run while cold and can not run when hot because the resistance of the wires changes as it gets hot. with this kind of problem, you need to replace the compressor. as you have said, the fan at the condenser is running. if the fan at the condenser is not running, that is also a cause for the compressor to overheats. i hope i was able to help...