I've been reading through similar posts but have not found my answer. Fridge stopped working after power outage (hellacious lightning/wind/rain storm in the east that you might have heard about or experienced). I've replaced the starter relay.Compressor is running. Fan (on freezer side) is working, coils are clean(ish) - I can see from front to back of fridge - can't seem to clean any more dust off. Now the front panel between doors is very hot. Did I do something wrong in replacing the starter relay? We don't have AC and it's about 100F today - hot as anything in the house. Could that be contributing? Is this overheating a fire hazard? wrecking my compressor? a sign that the compressor is already wrecked?

In future, if this thing gets fixed, should I use a surge protector on the fridge?
Thanks

I don't know how to do those tests. Can I do that with a multi-tester, and without taking the fan out of the fridge?

I did call a repair guy who said the heat in the house would be a factor, to keep the back off for a while and keep the fridge away from the wall for a bit.
The fridge has been on for 40 minutes and is beginning to cool, and the air that the fan is blowing toward the condenser seems cooler as well. Front of the fridge is still quite hot - concerned that it might adversely affect the gasket.

Thanks for your help and assurance about the heat. I'm hearing ice drop into the bucket - music to my ears.