[mcs11]

Hi - I removed the start/stop device relay and shook it, and there is definitely lots of loose debris inside. You can hear the compressor clicking on, and then off 10-20 seconds later. The compressor is hot to the touch, so my question is: how long do I have to replace the relay? If it takes me 2-4 days to get the part, is that going to cause further issues (blowing the compressor, etc)?

Thanks for your help!!

mike

[applianceman]

I would suggest unplugging the refrigerator until you get the part. It is not going to cool anyway so unplug it. Appliance Repair Guide For All Major Home Appliances

[mcs11]

Thanks applianceman! The fridge is cooling, has been for the last week or so until I figured out what the problem is. So am I possibly damaging the compressor then (yikes!). Thanks!!

mike

[applianceman]

If the start relay is bad, neither the fresh food section nor the freezer will work. From your description I do believe the start relay is bad and it could possibly damage the compressor from overheating so much.

[mcs11]

The compressor is hot to the touch, but I have left the backing off and pulled the fridge out to get some extra ventilation. The compressor is now staying on. The relay will be here in 2 days, guess I should just unplug it and toss the food then? Thanks again.

mike

[zook11]

I had the click and shut down on my refrigerator. Research on the web says relay is bad. Looking at parts I could not see a matching part for sale on line. Called Sears. Guy put in relay in 5 minutes. Replacement parts (two of them) replaced old defective parts that burn up. old part was black and held on with a clip and had a black ear sticking off it. New parts much smaller. One white with two slide tabs one small cube like.

$270.00 Instead of buying part youself. You do the math. Blue Indian techumsah compressor tested fine. warranty for fridge for 1 year came with service. Guy put the cover back on before I could take picture of replacement wiring. Sorry. good luck

Repair guy says 4 out of 10 calls needed this relay. Class action? 6 year old

[mcs11]

Thanks for relaying your experience, very helpful!

mike

[erkme73]

Wow! Talk about timing... Mine went bad TODAY. Whirlpool, but same part. Wife called me at work saying something electrical smelled like it was burning. Come home to find fridge clicking on thermal overload every few minutes. Thought it was the cap, but turns out the motor start relay housing (PN2220475) nearly burned. It rattled, and when I opened it, the inside was black and melted. Now to find this part for cheap and fast. Has anyone found this part? Is it something a local parts store might have (not trying to cut out buying from here, but I'd love to save the mild, eggs and lunch meats).

[erkme73]

I gutted the relay base - removing the shards of the resistor that was previously inside. I made a jumper with a momentary push-button which, when pushed, will short the start coil with the run coil (via the cap). It worked just fine to start the compressor and it's running now. As soon as the compressor shuts off, though, it will not restart on its own. For now, I've set the temp to the coldest setting, which will buy me some time to find the part locally tomorrow - or order it from here if I can't find it.

I've uploaded a layman's schematic of the jumper location. This is temporary and will only get the compressor started if held as the compressor tries to start. DO NOT DO THIS IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT. If you jumper this permanently, you'll fry the cap, and probably cause a fire.

[mcs11]

try partsdepotonline.com for this part, ships in 2-4 days though...

mike