What is a Refrigerator? & How to Fix it?

A refrigerator runs all the time, day and night, to keep your food cold. It’s amazing that it rarely breaks down considering how hard it works. If your refrigerator does stop working, it can be expensive to fix and you might lose all your food.

That’s why we will teach you how to fix your refrigerator and freezer yourself without having to wait for property maintenance!

What Is a Refrigerator? & How Does it Work?

Refrigerators and freezers have two main parts: a condenser coil and an evaporator coil. A compressor and a motor move a liquid coolant through these coils. The coolant is cooled in the condenser coil, which is on the outside of the unit, and then flows to the evaporator coil inside. The air inside the unit is cooled by touching the cold evaporator coil. 

Common refrigerator problems and solutions are frost-free. They have a heater that turns on automatically to melt any frost inside. This heater is controlled by a timer and melts frost starting from the coldest areas. Once all the frost is melted, the thermostat switches back to cooling to keep the freezer at the right temperature. This automatic process prevents frost from building up.

Discharging a Capacitor

To safely discharge the capacitor in your refrigerator or freezer, follow these steps:

Disassembling the Refrigerator

The control components of a refrigerator are usually located in the top or upper section of the unit. The motor, compressor, condenser coil, and condenser fan are located in the bottom section.

UPPER SECTION

Remove Panels

To access components in the upper section, remove the retaining screws or pry out the clips that hold the plastic or metal panels over the parts. These fasteners may be hidden by trim or moulding. In this case, pry off the trim or moulding with a stiff-blade putty knife.

Protruding Controls

Protruding controls may also serve as retainers for the various panel sections.

Remove Shelves

In most refrigerators, you can remove the shelves to access some of the panels.

LOWER SECTION

Remove Service Panel

To access the lower section, remove the service panel held by retaining screws at the back of the unit below the condenser coils. Some units also have a front access panel below the door. This panel may be held by retaining screws or may slip up and off two side brackets.

Tip the Refrigerator

On some models, you can tip the refrigerator over and service parts from the bottom. Ensure the refrigerator is defrosted, unplugged, and emptied before doing this.

Testing the Power Cord

If the power cord looks frayed or you see burn marks on the prongs of the plug or at the terminal screws on the terminal block (under the rear access panel), the cord may be faulty.

Test with VOM 

Use a VOM (Volt-Ohm-Milliammeter) set to the RX1 scale to test the cord. Instructions for using the VOM can be found in the VOM manual.

Servicing a Refrigerator Door

If your refrigerator’s compressor is constantly running, wasting energy, and reducing the appliance’s lifespan, the door might be the problem. The ideal situation is to keep the refrigerator’s internal climate stable, but since we open the door frequently, it can cause issues. Here are some tips to keep your doors working properly and keep warm air away from your food.

Servicing the Door Gasket

A hard or cracked refrigerator gasket (the rubber seal around the door) can break the seal and reduce efficiency. To test the door gasket for leaks:

1. Place a dollar bill between the gasket and the door jamb and close the door.

2. Pull the bill out. If it offers resistance, the gasket fits properly. If the bill comes out easily or falls out, the gasket is faulty and should be replaced. Test the gasket at several locations around the door. Before replacing the gasket, check the door hinges for leaks.

To replace a gasket

1. Buy a gasket made specifically for your refrigerator model. If unsure about the model number, cut out a small section of the gasket and take it to an appliance dealer for matching. If the gasket needs to be ordered, you can temporarily glue the section back with rubber cement.

2. Let the new gasket sit for about 24 hours in the same room as the refrigerator to adjust to the correct temperature and humidity. Alternatively, soak the gasket in warm water to make it pliable.

3. Door gaskets are usually held by screws, clips, or adhesives. They may have a retaining strip that shapes and provides a fastening tab or guide. Remove the fasteners and retaining strips, or remove the door panel if necessary.

4. Finish removing the fasteners on one side of the door at a time. If the gasket is held by spring clips, be careful not to pry too hard. If it’s held by adhesive, pry it off with a putty knife.

5. Clean the mounting area with mild household detergent and water. Use mineral spirits and fine steel wool for stubborn adhesive, followed by another detergent/water rinse.

6. Start at one side of the top of the door and work down the sides. Smooth the gasket into place, easing it around corners. Use gasket cement if specified by the manufacturer. 

7. Replace the fasteners, retaining strips, or panels that held the old gasket. Adjust the mounting bolts as needed to ensure the gasket seals properly against the door jamb.

Servicing Door Hinges

Misaligned or loose door hinges can cause the door to rock or sag, making even a good gasket ineffective.

1. If the door won’t shut tightly, tip the refrigerator slightly backward by propping up the front or unscrewing the front levelling legs two turns. Adjust until the door stays closed.

2. If levelling doesn’t work, tighten the hinge screws. Open the door to access the screws. You may need to remove a hinge cap or trim to reach them. Correct sagging by shimming the hinges with a cardboard shim if needed.

3. If the door is warped, tighten the screws holding the inner door shell to the outer door shell. You may need to adjust the gasket afterward.

4. If the door doesn’t latch properly, remove and shim the magnetic strike on the door. Adjust the gasket to fit the new shim.

Servicing the Door Switch

The door switch operates the interior light. If the switch is malfunctioning, the light may stay on, causing cooling problems.

1. Ensure the bulb isn’t burned out. If it’s fine, depress the push button on the door switch.

2. Clean the switch with a cloth. Remove the switch from the jamb and test it with a VOM set to the RX1 scale.

3. If the VOM reading is above zero, replace the switch with a new one of the same type.

Maintaining Internal Parts

The thermostat controls manage how cold the refrigerator and freezer get. To access them, you need to take off the control panel. Some bits inside your refrigerator are easy to fix yourself, but others need a pro’s touch. Here are some refrigerator troubleshooting tips you need to remember:

Fixing the Limit Switch

This switch is only in frost-free refrigerators and freezers. It stops the defrost heater from getting too hot. If your freezer has lots of frost, the limit switch might be the issue. But it could also be the evaporator fan, defrost timer, or heater. Check these first. If they’re fine, it’s likely the limit switch. Don’t try to fix it yourself. Get a pro to replace it.

Fixing the Thermostat Control

The thermostat control is usually inside the refrigerator. You can test it to see if it’s working right:

1. If the compressor runs all the time, turn the control knob to OFF. If it still runs, unplug the refrigerator, take off the knob, and unscrew the thermostat. Remove one wire from its terminal. Plug in the refrigerator. If the compressor stops, the thermostat is bad. Replace it.

2. If the compressor keeps running after you remove the wire, there’s probably a wiring problem. Call a pro.

3. If the refrigerator or freezer runs but doesn’t cool, unplug it and remove the thermostat. Disconnect both wires and tape them together. Plug in the refrigerator. If it starts working, the thermostat is faulty. Replace it with the same type.

4. If the freezer’s fine but the refrigerator isn’t cold, set both dials to the middle. Remove the knobs and unscrew the temperature control housing. Check if the air duct opens wider after ten minutes. If not, replace the control.

Fixing the Evaporator Fan

Sometimes a warm refrigerator isn’t because of a bad thermostat. It could be a faulty fan, a blocked fan, or bent blades. Try freeing or straightening the blades. If that doesn’t work, call a pro. Some refrigerators use the door switch to run the evaporator fan. If it’s acting up, test it and replace if needed.

Fixing the Defrost Timer

If the compressor doesn’t run, the defrost timer might be busted. It’s near the compressor. Here’s how to test it:

1. Unplug the refrigerator.
2. Disconnect wires from the timer and motor. Remove the timer.
3. Test it with a VOM on the RX1 scale. If it’s working, the metre will read zero.
4. If it’s faulty, replace it with the same type.
5. To check the motor, use the same steps but set the scale to RX100.

Fixing the Defrost Heater

This heats up the evaporator coil to melt frost during defrost cycles. Test it with a VOM. If it’s faulty, replace it.

Fixing the Condenser Fan

This fan’s under the refrigerator. If it’s not working right, the refrigerator won’t cool properly. Test it with a VOM. Replace it if it’s faulty. While you’re at it, make sure the fan blades are clean and straight.

Clearing the Drain Ports

These holes at the bottom of the freezer and refrigerator can get clogged. Use wire to clear them. Don’t use wood, as it could break off and get stuck. Some drains are trickier to clean, so you might need a pro.

Fixing the Drain Hose and Pan

The hose under the refrigerator carries water to the drain pan, where it evaporates. If the hose’s cracked, replace it. If there’s water on the floor, realign or replace the pan.

Servicing Ice Makers

Sometimes, automatic ice makers in freezers act up because the water inlet valve strainer gets clogged. Here’s how to fix it:

1. Unplug the appliance and turn off the water supply.

2. Remove the water line where it connects to the valve, usually at the bottom of the unit.

3. Find the wire strainer and take it out.

4. Clean the strainer with a brush and mild detergent.

5. Put everything back together.

Fixing Refrigerant Leaks

You can tell there’s a coolant leak by its strong smell. Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do to fix it yourself. Call a professional to handle it.

Fixing the Motor/Compressor

The compressor and motor in the refrigerator and freezers are sealed units. If you have problems with them, don’t try to fix them yourself. Call a professional instead.

Frequently Asked Questions