[Malcrast]

Hi All. I sure hope someone can help me with this...and a GREAT BIG preemptive THANK YOU to any who can!

Kenmore side-by-side. Came home the other day from a trip, water all over the floor, frig and freezer warm. I removed the back panel and the compressor isnt running, but the compressor fan is. The evaporator (interior) fans are not running either, but light is on.

The compressor clicks, hums a little, then clicks off within a few seconds....this repeats every minute or two. The top of the compressor isnt hot.

I replaced the start relay on the compressor (part from a local parts dealer) to no avail.

m I looking at a bad compressor, bad timer or something else? The timer is 'ticking' and I have advanced it to run... not sure if that is it or not.

So to recap: Compressor tries, but doesnt start. At no time are the / is the evap fans running. The compressor fan is running.

Any tips?

Thanks so much in advance!!


Mal.

[richappy]

Best to use a meter on this. If the compressor is not hot and it fails to start with the recomended start device, and you wired it properly, you probably have a bad compressor.

[Malcrast]

Originally Posted by richappy

Best to use a meter on this. If the compressor is not hot and it fails to start with the recomended start device, and you wired it properly, you probably have a bad compressor.

Thank you very much for you reply! After reading it I decided to plug the refrig in from 20 mins. Yes, the compressor is very warm on top (not too ho to touch, but very warm). I am sure if I left it plugged in longer it would get much hotter.

What bad component would that point to?

Update: Although I replaced the relay, I didnt notice that the relay and overload are two parts. Pulled the overload, held it firmly in the middle and it rattles when I shake it.

Again, the compressor tries to start, then kicks off after a few seconds. Is the overload working right by shutting it off, or is it prematurely kicking it off?

[richappy]

You probably have a compressor with shorted start winding turns, amprobe and guages would confirm.

[Malcrast]

Originally Posted by richappy

Best to use a meter on this. If the compressor is not hot and it fails to start with the recomended start device, and you wired it properly, you probably have a bad compressor.

Well I hooked up a 3-in-1 and the unit is running and getting cold. But when I hook everything else up original without the 3-in-1, same thing. What could this indicate?

[richappy]

It indicates you have shorted turns in the compressor start winding and, or mechanical problems in the compressor.
I would NEVER use a 3 n 1 on a modern R134A refigerant compressor, particularly if you have a damaged compressor, will result in compressor failure without warning.
These devices provide no thermal overload, or power surge protection and have caused house fires.

[MayTech]

If you shake the relay and little flecks of metal comes out, it means the silicon disk inside the relay has shattered. Use the correct relay to replace it. I do not recommend 3in1's as well. If the proper relay does not work then i would say that you have an issue in your compressor.