Frequently Asked Questions About Domestic Refrigerator Repair:
Compressor works but is weak?
I have an old Signature (Montgomery Ward) side-by-side refrigerator. Six weeks ago, the defrost heater went out. I replaced it and the fridge seemed to work okay. Then it began to run too warm. The lowest temp in the freezer is approximately 14 degrees and the fridge is correspondingly high. This is with temp control at max and freezer baffle set at coldest.
I have done the following in an effort to isolate the problem:
1. Checked defrost heaters-both heat
2. Checked defrost thermostat-works properly
3. Check condenser fan-working fine
4. Cleaned condenser coil and fan blades with cleaner
5. Jumpered across temperature control thermostat- compressor runs continuously for 12 hours, but temp does not go lower than 14 degrees.
6. Circulation fan operates properly.
I suspect that compressor which is about 5 years old, or low coolant. I am confused, however, because if either of these were the problem, I would think logically that the compressor would run continuously, because it never reaches the set temperature. It does not; it cycles on and off as if it was reaching its temperature. HELP!
Whew, sounds like this one has really got you going. When you say 14 degrees I'm going to assume degrees Fahrenheit, right? Most other countries of the world are in Celsius including Canada, where I live. Anyway 14 F is freezing quite good but freezers are recommended to be 0 to 10 F so perhaps you do have a problem.
As far as the cycling is concerned your unit likely has an air sensing control in the refrigerator section hence the cycling because the right temp can be achieved there even though the freezer is not cold enough.
So your problem is either the air damper control is not functioning or the hermetic system works but not well enough.
The air damper control should be able to restrict the amount of air into the refrigerator section which would cause the control to keep the compressor running longer which should make the freezer colder but you say you have jumpered the control and it still doesn't help.
So your suspicions are confirmed the problem is in the hermetic system. Turn your control to the off position so the compressor stops, then immediately turn it on again. If it starts up right away the compressor has blow by. If it cycles on the overload the problem is most likely a refrigerant leak. To confirm this take a look at the evaporator coils after the unit has been running at least a half hour. Is there frost line complete? If not it's low, which indicates a leak somewhere. These have to be traced and repaired before the unit can be recharged.
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