Frigidaire Fridge won't start

Refrigerator & Freezer Repair
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1

Brand: Frigidaire
Model Number: FFRU17B2QWA
Main Symptom: Won’t start, just clicks when power is applied
What happens & when: Door was left open overnight, fridge wasn’t cooling or running when found. Let dry out with fan for 36 hours, verified power to wall outlet, plugged back in…unit clicks, interior light does come on. Assuming it’s the Run Capacitor(297286805) or Start Relay(297259521). Been told by a local repair place to only use OEM part number parts, nothing off Amazon…but OEM parts aren’t readily available. Thoughts?

Error Code (if any):
Parts or tests already tried:
Photos / video link:

2

For an Electrolux/Frigidaire FFRU17B2QWA upright freezer, a single click when power is applied and then nothing starts usually points to one of three things:

1. Start Relay/Overload Failure (Most Common)

  • Compressor tries to start.

  • You hear a click from the compressor area.

  • Compressor never runs.

  • Another click may occur 30–90 seconds later as the overload resets.

Check:

  • Unplug freezer.

  • Remove rear lower access cover.

  • Locate the start device on the compressor terminals.

  • Remove and shake it gently.

    • If it rattles like loose pieces inside, it’s bad.

  • Inspect for burn marks or melted plastic.

2. Locked Compressor

  • Relay clicks.

  • Compressor may hum briefly or get hot.

  • Compressor won’t start even with a known-good relay.

Check:

  • Feel compressor after being plugged in for several minutes.

  • If very hot but not running, suspect a locked compressor.

3. Control Board or Thermostat Not Sending Power

Less common if you’re hearing a click immediately when plugging it in.

Check:

  • Is the interior light on?

  • Does the evaporator fan run when the door switch is held closed?

  • Does the click come from the compressor area or from the control housing?

Quick Diagnostic

With power applied:

  1. Listen at the compressor.

  2. Does the click come directly from the compressor/start device?

  3. Does the compressor hum at all?

  4. Is the compressor cold, warm, or hot after 5 minutes?

Tell me:

  • Whether the interior light works.

  • Where the click is coming from (compressor area or control area).

  • Whether the compressor gets hot.

  • If you have a multimeter, I can walk you through testing the compressor windings and start device.

As for locating a start capacitor I recommend an internet search and find a 3rd party vendor with some in stock, just make sure it is an OEM Electrolux/Frigidaire part

3

Thanks! I’ll definitely run through those diagnostics. Is there an issue using a run capacitor rated at 15 uF vs. the current one that is rated at 8uF?

4

There shouldn’t be an issue but as always it’s best to go with what it’s rated for.

5

Do you have any way to locate the appropriately sized run capacitor?

6

While I can’t advise you on a certain third party site to go to, I can tell you that if you do go that route to search for this part number 297286805 and make sure ir is an OEM part

7

Thanks! I’ll continue to try and find it. In the meantime I’ll try another just to see if it’ll start and run.

8

Thanks for letting us know and we are always here to help!

9

It started and is running with the new run capacitor. My question now is, do I need to find the right size run capacitor? The one I took off of it, stock, is rated at 8uf. The current one on it is rated at 15uF. Will this cause a problem now or down the road?

10

An 8 µF and a 15 µF start capacitor are not interchangeable in most applications.

What happens if you use the wrong value?

Spec 8 µF 15 µF
Starting torque Lower Higher
Motor current during start Lower Higher
Designed for motors requiring Less phase shift More phase shift

If the motor calls for 8 µF and you install 15 µF:

  • The motor may start harder than designed.

  • Start winding current increases.

  • The start winding, relay, or capacitor can overheat.

  • Long-term motor damage is possible.

If the motor calls for 15 µF and you install 8 µF:

  • The motor may struggle to start.

  • It may hum, stall, or trip overload protection.

  • Compressor motors especially may fail to start.

For appliance repair

Match the capacitor’s µF rating as closely as possible (typically within ±5% or the manufacturer’s specified tolerance). The voltage rating can be equal or higher, but never lower.

11

You don’t even need a run capacitor to run the compressor (Point blank.) its is only used to make the compressor run more efficient.and this is really non measurable! but best use the correct one for sure! Does not have to be OEM!

12

It would be a judgement call on your part whether to continue using the 15uf capacitor. Our recommendation is to always use the rated components whenever possible