You can turn on all articles and trouble shooting charts you see on this table of contents and use this helpful money saving book instantly if you like. Here are some details. Take a look at any of the Free Sample articles on this page for an example of what this book is like and how thoroughly everything is explained.

Preface

Section One: General Information

Freon Facts < -- Updated
Tips on Moving a Refrigerator
Changing Color
Finding the Best Used Refrigerator
The Basic Principles of Operation of Domestic Refrigerators < -- Free Sample
The Hermetic System
Finding a Good Technician
Help for Noisy Refrigerators
Prevention of Food Poisoning
Defrosting Manual Defrost Refrigerators
Electronic Refrigerators < -- Updated
Deep Freezers

Section Two: Types of Refrigerators

The Importance of Knowing Which Type You Have:
Before you can use this manual to either trouble shoot problems or perform various maintenance tasks, you must positively know what type or variation of refrigerator you have. This is a critical step, so that you will be able to understand the operating principles and diagnostic procedures for your particular refrigerator ....more on this

Manual Defrost type
Standard Frost Free
All Fridge Type
Two Cabinet Design

Section Three: Domestic Refrigeration Devices

This section is dedicated entirely to the components and devices used by all types of domestic refrigerators. Each component's purpose, how it works, location on the cabinet, and how it wears or burns out is explained thoroughly. Of course no one fridge uses all these components covered here. To find out which ones your particular type uses, refer to Section Two.

Accumulator
Air Damper Control < -- Improved
Capillary Tube
Mechanical Cold Control < -- Improved
Compressors < -- Improved and Updated
Compressor Overloads for a Split Phase Motor Compressor
Condensate Evaporator Tray
Condenser
Condenser Fan Motor
Main Defrost Heater
Defrost Solenoid Coil and Bypass Valve
Defrost Thermostat < -- Free Sample
Defrost Timer < -- Improved
Drain Trough
Drain Trough, Auxiliary, and Electric Mullion Heaters
Evaporator
Evaporator Fan Motor < -- Improved
Gas Dryer
Heat Exchanger
Light and Fan Switches
Start and Run Capacitors For Split Phase 120 Volt Compressors
Compressor Start Relay For Split Phase 120 Volt Compressors
Suction Line
Adaptive Defrost Module < -- New article

Section Four: Optimizing your Refrigerator

There is often a number of things you can do that will make your refrigerator work more efficiently and run less. Some of these measures will of course have more effect than others. If any that apply to you can be carried through, their combined effect will mean substantially less compressor run time, a worthwhile savings of electricity, and extended useful life of your refrigerator. Just how much you may be able to save is illustrated in the example on the next page.

In this section there are six steps you can take to insure your refrigerator is working as efficiently and cost effectively as it possibly can.

Why Bother?
Setting Cabinet Temperatures for Maximum Efficiency
Air Circulation around the Cabinet
Cabinet Integrity
Power Supply
Decreasing the Load
Wiring Change to the Evaporator Fan
Technical Problems

Section Five: Repair and Test Procedures

Section Five is this manual's procedural section. When you need to perform a specific task, refer to one of the following:

Removing the Coil Cover < -- Improved and updated
Identifying a Normal Frost Line
Inspecting the Freezer Coils
Determining Which Component of an Automatic Defrost System is Not Working on a Refrigerator With a Mechanical Timer < -- Improved

Installing a Jumper Across the Defrost Thermostat
Working behind the Condenser
Replacing the Defrost Thermostat < -- Free Sample
Wiring Methods and Procedures in Refrigerators
Removing Ice From the Drain Trough
Testing and Replacing the Defrost Drain Heater
Cleaning and Flushing the Defrost Drains
Inspecting and Repairing the Heat Exchanger
Getting Parts for Your Refrigerator
Replacing Mechanical Cold Controls
Wet Insulation
Additional Obstruction to Air Flow
Replacing Mechanical Defrost Timers
Replacing and Testing Evaporator and Condenser Fan Motors> < -- Improved
Problems with Light Bulbs
Complete Deodorizing Procedure
Replacing Fan and Light Switches
Door Repairs < -- Updated
Removing Breaker Strips
Shelf Supports
Replacing the Cord
Installing a New Mullion Heater
Installing Wheels on your Refrigerator
Boosting Your Split Phase 120 Volt Compressor < -- Improved
Replacing the Main Defrost Heater
Repairing Your Deep Freeze
Fitting A System to Operate in an Unheated Space < -- Improved
Testing the Main Defrost Heater
How to Test and Replace the Adaptive Defrost Module < -- New article
Installing a Heat Transfer Wire < -- New article
Problems with Freezer Down Designs < -- New article
Testing Thermistors with an Ohm Meter < -- New article

Section Six: Hermetic System Repairs

Repairs to the hermetic system of domestic refrigerators only account for a small portion of all refrigerator service calls. Special tools, licenses, equipment, and skills are required for hermetic repairs, and are beyond the scope of this manual for most homeowners. Refer to "Finding a Good Technician" in Section One.

However, since the original publication of this manual and it's online version, I've had many requests for information from technicians trained in other parts of the same industry, such as automobile air conditioning ......more on this

Tapping Into a Domestic System
Interpreting Pressure Readings
Working With Copper Lines and Silver Soldering Techniques
Installing a New Filter Dryer
Leak Testing After a Repair is Complete
Evacuating and Recharging
Installing a New Compressor


Note: In this Fourth Edition, the previous Section Seven "Frequently Asked Questions About Domestic Refrigerator Repair" is no longer included in the text. It now is an intrinsic part of this web site so it can be easily expanded upon and specifically searched. All printed copies of this book now have the frequently asked questions on the included CD.

Section Eight:
Ice Maker Repair and Water Dispenser Repair

Trouble Shooting Charts

When your refrigerator develops a technical problem, tracking the primary reason for the problem is best performed by the process of elimination. You would first check the most obvious reason, and if that is not the one then you move on to the next. This logical sequence is the easiest to follow when the information takes the form of a trouble-shooting chart. Here is a complete set of these charts that addresses common problems with refrigerators and how to solve them.

Water in the Cabinet Under the Crispers
Ice on the Floor of the Freezer Compartment
Water on the Floor
Not Cold Enough
Refrigerator Section Freezes Food
Noise
Suction Line Frosts Up
Not Cold at all
Intermittent Operation
Compressor Running Hot
Moisture Around the Door Seals
Water Dispenser Problems < -- New Chart
Ice Maker Not Working < -- New Chart

Appendix

Food Storage Charts

Refrigerated Food Storage
Frozen Food Storage

And finally, here's an article that will entertain you while you learn. It's a fictional story, but based on true facts and scientific data regarding the historical development of Freon and domestic refrigerators.

Refrigerators, Freon, and the End of the Ice Man < -- Free Sample

You can turn on all articles and trouble shooting charts you see on this table of contents and use this helpful money saving book instantly if you like. Here are some details. Take a look at any of the Free Sample articles on this page for an example of what this book is like and how thoroughly everything is explained.