I just became the unexpected owner of a Kenmore chest freezer. This is what I get for having a big truck, and a friend who needed to pickup a new freezer. The story on the on old freezer is that it was only three years old, and stopped working. A repair tech told them that the starter relay had failed, and that it was a discontinued part. The Sears Parts Direct website seems to support this.

Sears Parts Direct Model# 183.13601300

The tech told them he could find a generic replacement, and fix it all for $200. They had a line on a larger upright freezer for free, so they went that route. I took the Kenmore off their hands thinking that I would either fix it myself, or send it to the graveyard.

I have done some searching online and have come up dry on finding a replacement part. I have included pictures of the parts in question as well as pics of the compressor.

I realize there may be a chance there is more wrong here than the relay, but I did notice this: The insulating boots on the blue and brown wires that go from the relay to the capacitor where very discolored from heat. This would lead me to believe that the relay has been getting very hot.

I tried to call Appliance Parts Pro this morning, but it would seem that they are no longer offering Saturday hours.

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thank!!

Nat,

Is there any advantage/disadvantage to going with a 3 in 1 instead of replacing just the relay? Will it make any difference in the operation and longevity of the freezer. Also, since I now know this is made by Haier should I maybe go to them for the OEM part?

Thanks

Badger

Update: I installed the Supco Relay/Overload Protector (not the 3 in 1) and plugged the freezer in. The compressor blew up in my face, and I am now being rushed to the hospital... okay, yes I am kidding. Seriously, the compressor is now making a low buzzing noise that sounds a bit like an electric motor under load trying to turn without success. Sometimes it turns a little faster, and then slows down again. Is the ZEL compressor shot? Or is there something else I should look at. Yes, I know I should just junk the thing since (according to the last post) Hiaer makes, well Junk. I am however willing to pursue fixing this a little longer before I go to sears and plunk down some money on a new freezer. This one was free, and thus far I only have 20 minutes and $16 into it. I view this as a little bit of cheap entertainment, since I pride myself on being able to fix things instead of sending them to the land fill. I am sure some of you out there may view my pursuit as some sort of strange self punishment. In any case, anyone that can offer any help or guidance on this little project of mine would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

WI Badger
:confused:

WI-badger,
If the unit is humming then the compressor itself is shot and whould require replacement. Recommend just taking it the the graveyard, as you so put it.

Jimer,
Please post your model number, since Kenmore doesn't make anything it's hard to say which part you may need. Although a relay is a definate!

Nat

Hey all... The freezer is fixed and has been running for about a month now. The solution was to install a 3 in 1 Relay kit (Part# AP3540659). I have two theories of thought regarding this fix.

1. I was told that refrigeration systems sometimes get overcharged at the factory thus making them harder to start, and that the 3 in 1 Relay/Hard Start kit can overcome this.

2. The two discolored(over heated) wires were the ones that go to the original capacitor. It may be that the original capacitor was weak/failed, and thus caused the freezer to stop working.

Now although I don't disagree with Libertyappl about these being a very cheaply made unit, instead of sending it to the appliance graveyard (landfill), I now have a functional freezer for a total investment of $20 in parts. I fully expect that this freezer will not last 5 years, but for now it is doing just fine. Hope this helps.

Badger