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Greetings all:
I am all out of ideas. I have an issue with my evaporator coils frosting up which eventually causes the fridge to get warmer. The evap fan is running fine (had an issue with it last year) and I have replaced the following parts to try to remedy the problem: defrost timer, defrost heater, and defrost thermostat.
The compressor runs fine when running and is warm but not hot. However, about 3 times a day the compressor will click and cycle on and off in 2 or 3 second intervals and will stay stuck in this "cycle" mode until the fridge is powered down and restarted.
I am thinking about replacing the compressor relay but I do not want to change out any more parts without expert help. Is my compressor shot?
Thank you all for your help
Regards
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Here are your parts Parts for Whirlpool ED5FHAXVA00 Refrigerator - AppliancePartsPros.com[COLOR="Blue"]I am thinking about replacing the compressor relay but I do not want to change out any more parts without expert help.[/COLOR] That is what I would do as there is not a good way to check a PTC start device. Might also be the capacitor but there are fairly reliable so the start device is at the top of the list. [COLOR="Blue"] Is my compressor shot?[/COLOR] I cannot say. Below is a link with info on how to check it. Note that this is not a definitive test. In other words it can tell you if a compressor is bad but does not tell you that the compressor is good. It may have mechanical problems to winding to winding shorts. How To Fix a Refrigerator - Appliance Repair Guide - ACME HOW TO.comSite also has how to check the capacitor but again this is not definitive because sometimes they only fail when actual operating voltage is applied to them and a meter does not do this. |
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[PHP][/PHP] Originally Posted by: denman  Here are your parts Parts for Whirlpool ED5FHAXVA00 Refrigerator - AppliancePartsPros.com[COLOR="Blue"]I am thinking about replacing the compressor relay but I do not want to change out any more parts without expert help.[/COLOR] That is what I would do as there is not a good way to check a PTC start device. Might also be the capacitor but there are fairly reliable so the start device is at the top of the list. [COLOR="Blue"] Is my compressor shot?[/COLOR] I cannot say. Below is a link with info on how to check it. Note that this is not a definitive test. In other words it can tell you if a compressor is bad but does not tell you that the compressor is good. It may have mechanical problems to winding to winding shorts. How To Fix a Refrigerator - Appliance Repair Guide - ACME HOW TO.comSite also has how to check the capacitor but again this is not definitive because sometimes they only fail when actual operating voltage is applied to them and a meter does not do this. I replaced the start relay and the problem still exists. I have cleaned the compressor coils and made sure the compressor fan is working. I checked the continuity of the compressor and it checks out ok. Here is a video of what I'm talking about: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR5MZA6PMJs
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Are you sure that it is the compressor start relay that is fast cycling? Listening to your video it seems to me that the clicking is coming from inside the control console. If it is the compressor start relay then odds are that the compressor has a problem. Measuring the compressor coils is not a definitive test. It can tell you if you have a bad compressor but does not tell you that the compressor is good. It could have a winding to winding short or internal mechanical problems. See the attachment for the tech sheet. I am not sure what they are doing with the Option 1 wiring of the condenser fan. |
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Sorry for the late response, I was busy with finals. I think you are right. The clicking is coming from the top of the fridge near the control console. However, the compressor is definitely cycling in tandem with the clicking.
The compressor "runs" (hums quietly in the background) fine for a day or so then begins cycling on and off. I have never heard the compressor turn off. IT IS ALWAYS RUNNING when not cycling.
The attachment you provided seems to test the functionality of the control board. However, I have already replaced the control board twice with no change.
Thank you SO much for your replies
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Your symptoms are a bit weird/unusual.
It sounds like the adaptive defrost board relay is fast cycling.
This would turn off the compressor, the condenser/compressor fan and the evaporator/freezer fan.
Also since the board is electronic unplugging the unit would reset the board.
This would point to a bad board.
Below is a bit of a long shot. It is more for getting some additional diagnostics.
Newithe condition should cause the compressor to fast cycle.
It might not hurt to remove the cover in the freezer so you can inspect the evaporator coils.
They should have a fairly even coating of frost on them.
If not you may have a sealed system problem.
It is important that the compressor runs for at least an hour before doing the above check. If you check it during or shortly after a defrost cycle then you can end up with the wrong conclusion.
If they ae heavily frosted/iced over then you have a defrost problem. |
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I removed the cover in the freezer. The coils are indeed heavily heavily frosted, so much so I can't see the coils anymore. Even so, the compressor will not shut off. I knew about this defrost problem and so I have replaced the defrost timer, defrost heater, and defrost thermostat and checked all the gaskets on the doors within the past month.
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Since you have already replaced the defrost control board I an grasping at straws.
My best guess is still the defrost board.
The compressor will run all the time with a defrost problem.
Due to the heavy frost on the evaporator coils the evaporator fan cannot pull air through the coils. The air cannot cool properly so the unit never reaches set point and the compressor runs continuously. |
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Not only did I replace it, but I replaced it...TWICE. Yes, two different times because I returned the first one thinking it was faulty. Is there anything between the defrost board and the compressor that could cause this problem?
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Rank: Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/15/2011(UTC)
Posts: 11
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Not only did I replace it, but I replaced it...TWICE. Yes, two different times because I returned the first one thinking it was faulty. Is there anything between the defrost board and the compressor that could cause this problem?
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