So a week or so ago my refrigerator started making this clicking noise about twice a day. Once it would click for maybe 20 seconds, then there were other times when it would click for over a minute. Now, while it did start this clicking behavior, both sides of the fridge performed fine. In fact, the food side was actually getting too cold. I know, I know, sometimes the top shelf can get frozen, but generally it was only the stuff I put directly next to the shared wall with the freezer. The whole top shelf was getting frozen. I haven't seen precisely this behavior described anywhere so I thought I'd include it.

I did a search online and found a site that recommended starting with cleaning the condenser coils and other parts especially if you have pets, which I do. So I unplugged the fridge, removed the panel and vacuumed everything as well as I could.

I decided to plug the fridge back in to see if it would still make the noise, and if so where exactly was it coming from, before I put the panel back on. Well, initially the fridge did absolutely nothing, but now it's clicking....and it hasn't stopped! In the past it always stopped, but now at least 10 minutes later it's still clicking. I did pinpoint the sound. The clicking noise is coming from the panel where the control board is, NOT where the compressor, etc is located.

What the heck is going on with this thing? I'm afraid to open the fridge door in case it won't click back on and cool. What do I need to do? If I need a part, which one do I need? Argh! I live in Florida and it's.....

Alleluia! It just started. Holy crap! Thank God for that! Ok. Well, I will see whether or not I still have the periodic clicking later today. HOPEFULLY, the cleaning fixed it, but just in case it hasn't - any ideas? It said in the manual that clicks, etc are normal when restarting, but this took at least 15 minutes to stop. If anyone has any ideas, would love the help!

Well, it’s still clicking about 2-3 times a day since I last posted. It’s still cold though!

Forgive my ignorance, but I’m not sure what “bad solder joints” would look like. There’s that, and the fact that I’m a little nervous unplugging this thing again without having some kind of replacement part on hand to fiddle with in an attempt to get it going in case it doesn’t. So therein lies my predicament…while I believe that I can fix this fridge (right??), I’m not positive what part it needs to be fixed properly, BUT I need to fiddle with it pre-part to diagnose the problem, which makes me nervous. I did manage to fix my washer. I took the motor apart only to realize some of my hair got caught and burned the sucker out (who knew I have Super Woman-strength hair?) requiring the purchase of a new motor. What I’m trying to say is I’m not totally inept, but I wouldn’t even consider myself an intermediate when it comes to home repair. I really can’t afford to buy a new fridge, but I also can’t afford to rebuild the fridge part by part in an attempt to “save” some money. And, while I could avoid washing clothes for a couple of days waiting for the part to arrive, I can’t afford to lose all the food I have in the fridge waiting for whatever part is needed in this case only to find out it’s not the right part.

In closing, please, can I get one of those “Oh yeah, that sounds like you need xyz,” 99%-sure hunches on the part I need? My Mother and I would thank you profusely!

Thanks in advance,
Aimee