Repair or Replace 

Knowing how and when to repair a refrigerator as well as when to have it hauled to the scrap yard can save maintenance technicians time, money and frustration—and most importantly, keep residents happy. Too often companies throw away appliances such as refrigerators when they can be easily repaired for only a few
dollars.

Here are a few things to check before grabbing for the tools and multi-meters that will help to keep refrigerators running trouble-free longer. Also included are repair tips that will help keep repairs onsite and at a low cost.

Why is my refrigerator not cooling as well as usual? First and foremost, be sure everything is clean and that there is nothing obstructing airflow in or around the refrigerator.

The condenser coil is located at the back or bottom of the refrigerator and is usually about one inch from the wall. Air must be able to circulate freely around the refrigerator or it will not cool properly and may overheat. Very often there is just enough dust or a plastic bag that is preventing appropriate airflow across the condenser coil. This hinders the opportunity for the required airflow across the coil that is needed to properly expel heat into the cooler room-temperature air.

Next, make sure there is enough airflow between the fresh food compartment and across the condenser and evaporator coil. Obstructions are commonly due to how food is stored in the freezer. Sometimes freezers contain food packaging—such as bags of frozen vegetables—that are blocking the airflow across the evaporator coil or covering the slots that let air flow between the freezer and the fresh food compartment.

Next check the temperature and airflow settings. If they are set correctly, then check the door seal for a tight fit. If the door seal is not airtight, a small buildup of condensation on the door jamb will develop—and a small leak certainly prevents the entire fresh food compartment from reaching the proper temperature.

What should the temperature be in the refrigerator? Freezer air circulates below to the fresh food compartment, so if the temperature in the freezer is not in the correct range, be sure to check the airflow and clean the coils. The range in a freezer is typically between 0 and 12 degrees and the fresh food compartment typically ranges between 45 and 55 degrees.

What can I check if it is still not cooling as well as it should? If the temperature setting is correct, the airflow is correct and the coils are clean, then test the defrost timer, which controls the cycle of when and how long the compressor runs as well as when and how long the defrost heater runs to defrost the coils inside the freezer. The failure of a defrost timer is often the reason a refrigerator is thrown away. But, the replacement part needed is inexpensive and almost all parts suppliers stock these items.

What are symptoms of a faulty timer?

• The compressor doesn’t run.
• The defrost heater doesn’t work but the compressor does.
• The compressor does not work but the defrost element does.
• Nothing works.

It is possible that the defrost timer will not allow electricity to pass through it to the compressor or heating element. It also is not uncommon for the timer to get stuck in the defrost mode, which causes the heating element to come on until the termination thermostat opens and breaks the circuit. Confirm that power is present with a multi-meter and be sure to follow all workplace safety measures when working with electricity.When is a repair too costly? Most repairs can be done onsite by a qualified technician, but when the sealed system needs to be repaired, it is most often not cost-effective to do so, given the time, materials and production loss that is necessary when working with the sealed system.

This article reprinted from the April 2011 ABODE, published by the Houston Apartment Association. For information, contact Mark Cukro at 704/363-6236 or visit www.serviceteamtraining.com.

Other Things to Consider

Still stumped? Also consider these items:

• Evaporator Fan Motor
• Termination Thermostat
• Overload Protector
• Fuse
• Circuit Board
• Condenser Fan Motor
• Door Switch
• Thermostat
• Compressor
• Mullion Heater
—M.C.

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