Sometimes an unpleasant situation happens with household refrigeration units - the freezer is working, the refrigerator compartment is not cooling. It seems that the refrigerator did not break down, but it performs its functions poorly.
This situation is not only unpleasant for the owner, but can also be quite dangerous. If you let the situation drift, the refrigerator can break completely, and repairs will fly into a pretty penny. Yes, and non-compliance with the temperature regime can not only drive into additional costs, but also seriously harm the health of households. You shouldn't wait for this. It is best to find a malfunction at the first sign, find out its cause and take appropriate measures.
How a household refrigerator works
Before you find out why the refrigerator began to freeze badly, it is worth talking about exactly how the refrigerator works and works. In principle, there is nothing complicated about this. The household refrigerator system includes 4 main units:
- compressor;
- capacitor;
- evaporator;
- system of connecting pipes.
A special refrigerant gas circulates in a hermetically sealed system. It has low evaporation and boiling t˚C. When a refrigerant expands, it absorbs heat, and when compressed, returns it back through condensation.
The refrigerant in home refrigerators is usually freon. It is absolutely harmless, non-flammable substance. Liquid refrigerant enters the capillary tubes under pressure, and then into the evaporator, where it begins to “absorb” heat. As a result, the surface of the refrigerator compartment cools down. This process is repeated from the beginning until the set temperature is set in the refrigerator. Next, the temperature controller will work, which opens the circuit and forces the compressor to stop. The temperature controller is necessary to protect the compressor from overloads and save electricity.
After a while, when t˚С in the refrigerating chamber rises again, the circuit will close again and the cycle will repeat from the beginning.
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Refrigerator initial diagnostics
If you notice that the refrigerator does not freeze food or has begun to do it poorly, first of all, conduct a visual diagnosis of the device. Sometimes a malfunction may not be related to a breakdown, but is a consequence of the owners' carelessness.
- First, make sure that the refrigerator is level, there are no distortions and nothing prevents the door from closing.
- Check if the refrigerator is plugged into a separate outlet or is working through a tee or extension cord. Sometimes the reason the refrigerator has stopped freezing normally is because there is no good contact between the plug and the outlet.
- Look carefully at the button labeled "Defrost". In some models of refrigerators, the button may be accidentally pinched if the food is not placed correctly.
- Examine the thermostat. If the room is very hot and the freezer is running at maximum, it is likely that the refrigerator simply cannot handle the load. This is especially true for refrigerators with one compressor. In such units, the refrigerating chamber works according to the "residual principle". That is, first, the preset temperature in the freezer is reached and only after that the refrigerating compartment begins to cool. What to do? To solve the problem, set the temperature in the freezer to -10 - 12˚С, and in the refrigerator compartment, move the thermostat knob to the middle position.
- If you have a No Frost refrigerator, look out for a fan in your freezer. If it is frozen and does not work, then the cold will stop flowing into the refrigerating compartment. You don't need to disassemble the freezer for this, just listen carefully. If you do not hear a quiet, even hum when the freezer door is open, defrost the refrigerator for 10-12 hours. This time is enough for the ice to completely melt and the situation to return to normal.
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We identify minor problems
If none of the above actions brought results, then it's time to look for the reasons why the refrigerator stopped freezing. All breakdowns of a household refrigerator can be roughly divided into two groups: small and large. First, let's talk about small problems that are relatively inexpensive to repair. So, if the refrigerator works, but does not freeze, pay attention to its "weak" points.
Dry seal
There is a special rubber seal along the perimeter of the refrigerator door. It serves to ensure the tightness of the refrigerating and freezing chambers. It depends on how tightly it adheres to the door whether additional heat from the outside will enter the compartment. If it is dry, cracked and no longer fits snugly against the door, then you need replace the seal on new.
Broken thermostat
To determine such a breakdown, you will have to use a tester. When the refrigerator is on, ring the node. If there is no voltage, the part will have to be replaced with a new one. Read on our website about how to replace the thermostat in the refrigerator yourself.
Overheating of the motor
If the light is on in the refrigerator and the temperature does not drop, feel the engine. It is likely that due to the high temperature it overheated, the thermal protection worked and the motor turned off. This is another reason why the refrigerator has become difficult to freeze.
Turn off the refrigerator and defrost it completely. Make sure the engine is completely cool and turn the refrigerator back on. If everything works, move the refrigerator away from the wall and other objects so that the motor can cool better.
temperature sensor
Place an ordinary household thermometer in the refrigerator compartment and after a while compare its value with the readings of the temperature sensor. If they do not match, the sensor will have to be changed.
Serious refrigerator malfunction
If the refrigerator does not freeze, you did not find small "sores" in it, then everything is much more serious. Most likely, the breakdown is associated with one of the main components.
The fan motor is out of order
If this happens, you will not have to search for a long time. The fact is that the fan motor emits a very characteristic sound during operation, a uniform hum.If you don't hear it, the breakdown is obvious. It is likely that he just froze. But if prolonged defrosting did not help, you will have to call the master.
Compressor burned out
If your refrigerator has only one compressor, you will immediately find a breakdown. Will not freeze either the freezer or refrigerator compartment. You will most likely find a large puddle next to the refrigerator very soon.
But if you have a two-compressor refrigerator, the problem may not be noticed immediately. In such models, each compartment has its own compressor. This is why the freezer can work fine and the refrigerator compartment is warm. Be that as it may, you are unlikely to succeed in replacing the compressor yourself, without the help of a specialist.
Clogged cooling system
Sometimes the filter drier, through which the motor oil flows, becomes clogged with waste or burnt particles. A good technician will quickly identify the problem. Also, the system of thin tubes through which the refrigerant circulates is often clogged. It is impossible to eliminate such a breakdown without special equipment. It is necessary to thoroughly blow the tubes under pressure and refuel with freon.
Refrigerant leak
If you notice that, although the engine is running, the condenser remains cold all the time, it means that freon has leaked and the refrigerator is driving air. Another sign of such a breakdown is rusty streaks inside the freezer located below. Leakage can be caused by microscopic cracks in the evaporator. That is why it is strictly forbidden to "help" the refrigerator with defrosting, scraping off snow and breaking off pieces of ice in the freezer.
Microcracks could also have formed due to strong vibration of the refrigerator if it is not installed evenly. If you've recently moved your refrigerator, the tubes between the compressor and the evaporator are likely to have broken. In general, there can be many reasons.
If the crack is implicit, it will not be possible to detect it without a special device. In addition, for the refrigerator to work normally, after soldering, the system must be refilled with freon.
Refrigerator No Frost
Do you have a No Frost system refrigerator? There is another reason the No Frost refrigerator does not cool. For units with a dry freezing system, the heating element sometimes burns out. This unit is needed in order to periodically defrost the cooling system. If the heating elements are burnt out, the fan will freeze into the ice. To fix the problem, the refrigerator needs to be thoroughly defrosted and the thermal electric heater replaced.
Refrigeration equipment handling
Of course, it is impossible to completely rid the refrigerator of malfunctions. But, observing some rules, you can postpone the onset of trouble:
- never put warm or hot food in the refrigerator;
- once or twice a year, clean the back of the refrigerator with a vacuum cleaner and a damp sponge; this must be done very carefully so as not to damage the tubes and wires;
- connect the refrigerator to an individual outlet so as not to disturb the wire when other household appliances are turned on;
- turning off the device for defrosting, first turn the thermostat knob to the "0" position, and then remove the plug from the socket;
- place the unit away from the stove, radiator and sink - the presence of an additional heat source next to the refrigerator creates an additional load;
- move the unit at least 5 cm away from the wall and other objects - this will create normal conditions for proper cooling of the compressor.
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