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I have a 50's Frigidaire that is in pretty good shape, but lately the compressor seems to run only when it feels like it. It hadn't run for a month or so, but when I called a repair guy to check it out, (I moved it to another room for him), it started up like a champ (of course). However, by late that evening, it had stopped running again. He said he didn't do compressor work, but that his thought was that I may have a connection inside the compressor that touches when it has been moved around, but as the compressor heats up, the wires separate again.
My questions are these:
1) I have no idea how these old compressors (or any compressor for that matter) work. Is there somewhere I can go for a reference, so that I can confidently crack the thing open and work on it?
2) In the unlikely event that I can't fix it with the proper references, how do I go about finding another compressor for it, and what should I use?
I can read, and figure out most things. I just need to know where to find the reading material! Help!!!
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Joined: 2/29/2008(UTC)
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A model number may help others help you. Though there may not be any info available for such an old unit. You did not say if there was an actual problem with the freezer temperatures, could be you are just going through a defrost cycle. When/if it stops cooling you have to find out what is running and what is not re: the compressor, the condenser/compressor fan, the evaporator/freezer fan. On most older units the compressor and its fan are wired in parallel so if the fan is running the compressor shpuld be on. You can usually hear the compressor but you should also be able to feel it vibrating. It should be warm. So if the fan runs it could be the start relay. See below for links to sites with basic fridge repair info. If the fan is off then it is probably a control problem. Try turning the temperature control up/down if the unit fires up I would replace the thermostat. Also if the unit is auto defrost it will shut down the compressor and fans for about half an hour every 8 hours or so. This is the defrost cycle. It is probably not worth replacing a compressor in this unit, as you need a pro and it will be expensive. I would put those dollars towards a new unit. How To Fix a Refrigerator - Appliance Repair Guide - ACME HOW TO.comhttp://www.applianceaid.com/refrigerator-help-section.php |
THIS FORUM IS DEAD!!!!!!! |
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Rank: Member
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Joined: 4/5/2013(UTC)
Posts: 2
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I'll try to answer all your questions in the order you asked them: I'll get the model number today (it's at my other house). The freezer is just one of those little boxes inside the fridge itself - but no problem with it. If the fridge is cooling, the freezer quickly freezes. It's not the defrost cycle - when it stops it won't start again unless I move the fridge. That has been days or weeks, even. But if it's jostled, it will often start back up. I changed the thermostat about 6 months ago, because it was getting way too cold and would never shut off. I could turn it off with the dial, but it was either ON or OFF - nothing in between. After the thermostat change, it seemed to work fine for a couple of weeks, and that's when it just shut off. When the compressor runs, the fan runs. Light is independent - it always comes on like it's supposed to, whether it is cooling or not. It will not turn on and off by dialing the thermostat, unless it's in its "running" time. But then it seems to respons to the thermostat fine. So that's the long and short of the symptoms. I'd really like to NOT change out the compressor, if it's possible to repair the one I have. Unfortunately it doesn't seem like anyone does that kind of thing anymore - easier to throw things away than fix them ::shaking my head:: Any suggestions? Thanks tons! How To Fix a Refrigerator - Appliance Repair Guide - ACME HOW TO.comhttp://www.applianceaid.com/refrigerator-help-section.php
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