OT: FRIDGE PROBLEM

[Chris Kulbaba]

Well, this is my last resort before contacting a repair man



I have a kitchen aid top mount fridge, I came home today, and the things lights all work, etc, but the cold is gone...



Ive read somethign to do with relays, and I have one out of the machine at the moment, before I got tryign a buncha stuff, anyone have any thoughts about this?



Thanks!

 

[Todd Z]

How old is the unit??? If close to 6 or over, Trash it... After 8 years you cant get parts and the price to fix is normally that to get a floor model delivered....

Todd Z

 

[Chris Kulbaba]

Its not too old...

 

[Jake Levin]

have you defrosted it lately? had a problem a couple years ago with a fridge that had never been defrosted. Emptied out the entire thing and defrosted it over 24 hours, plugged it back in and it worked fine. Had something to do with ice build up behind the panels

 

[Todd Z]

Most problems start if the coils on the back or bottom are dirty, Some times a simple vacuum does the trick.



Also check the door seals. A super light film of Vaseline along the gasket helps it seal better..

Todd Z

 

[Chops]

Average life of a fridge is 15 years.



I have fixed a few, and they were all relatively simple problems.

How old?

 

[EddieS'04]

defrost timer is stuck or needs replacing...

 

[Kevin Palmer]

You have to weigh the cost of a replacement vs. the cost of expected repair. I have been Fridge shopping for near a month now, (Wife is looking for a specific type and design). You can buy a very standard fridge for $1000.00. But to get one that has any options at all you are looking much closer to $1400.00.



So, lets say the compressor is shot and the repair man will charge $300.00 to fix it. Suddenly that is not a bad deal as long as the fridge itself is in decent shape and not expected to break down right after this repair....



I would suggest you call your local repair shop and ask how much for a repair quote. Many will do it for free. Some charge a flat fee....

 

[Bruce Branch]

As Fast Eddie stated, the defrost timer is probably broken or stuck. That's a $20 part that is easy to find and replace. Also, as someone else suggested clean the coils. I have three uncles that were appliance repairmen(many many years of experience). They always say that they couldn't begin to add up the $'s they were paid for service calls that only required a good vacuming of the coils. Try those two things first, neither will cost you much.

 

[David Haselden 2]

http://www.repairclinic.com/

This is a preety good site for diagnosing and getting repair parts.

David

 

[Chris Taylor]

Ditto on the defrost timer. I just replaced one. As War Eagle said...$20 and an hour labor.. Many of the timers have a round shaft on the outside of them. Sometimes, just by turning that shaft with your fingers you can get the frig to start up again. It usually sticks on the actual defrost cycle, so by turning it a little, it gets it back to regular mode. Of course, as soon as it comes around to the defrost stop again, it will stick and the frig will warm up again...



Usually, if the coils are dirty, it will slowly stop cooling over time, not suddenly stop. Cleaning the coils, especially if they are on the bottom of the frig, will always help though.

 

[Todd Z]

I just bought a floor model with the standard warranty, Top freezer, with ice maker $400.00 delivered....

If you don't want stainless, and water and ice on the door, there are great refrigerators out there for a great price...

Todd Z

 

[Mark Grumpy]

I had a fridge, 1 year old, and the fan quit. Compressor and everything was working but the fan was not blowing the cold air (this was in the top freezer). Fan was 40 bucks. Also have had an issue with the thermostat control on the old dial type.



good luck



grump