Simple repair
First, it’s worth considering the repair of thermoelectric refrigerators, which anyone can handle. It is performed with the usual set of tools. To work, you don’t even need an electrical circuit of the refrigerator to diagnose breakdowns with your own hands.
Replacing lighting bulbs
Burnout of the lighting lamp is typical for the Indesit and Nord refrigerators. This is due to strong heating. Repair in this case is trivial - you need to unscrew the lamp from the socket and buy a new one. You don’t have to buy the original one - you can find an analogue in any lighting store.
Cleaning the drainage system
Frequent and natural malfunction (90% of cases of repair of household refrigerators). Over time, they become clogged with pieces of food, dust and dirt. Removing them is simple:
- At the back of the refrigerator you need to find a silicone tube going to the bottom.
- By disconnecting it, you will have access to the drainage hole.
- It needs to be cleaned with a brush (if it comes with the refrigerator) or a cotton swab.
- After syringing, the hole is cleaned with water. This is done carefully so that the water does not overflow through the container.
Replace the rubber seal
Natural wear and tear of the seal is also natural. Usually observed after 5-7 years of operation. The cold leaves the refrigeration unit and the temperature inside drops, leading to overload. You can determine the breakdown by the poor fit of the refrigerator handle.
There is no difficulty in replacing if you follow the instructions:
- The old seal is dismantled. This is either a “T”-shaped groove or rubber cement. The glue is removed with a solvent, and the pressed ridge is pryed off with a screwdriver.
- You need to buy a similar seal in the store. Bought for a specific refrigerator (Veko, Atlant, Polyus, etc.).
- If you need glue, it is better to order it online. An inexpensive "GreenteQ" will do. The seal with the “ridge” is pressed in with a screwdriver.
Before applying glue, the surface must be degreased with acetone or at least dishwashing detergent.
If a two-chamber refrigerator is being repaired, it makes sense to replace the rubber band in the freezer compartment as well.
Eliminating compressor rattling
In general, this may indicate a malfunction of the compressor that is in contact with the pipes. But many old domestic refrigerators or budget series are noisy in themselves. Increased rattling may indicate that the wall is touching the refrigerator body.
We rehang and align doors
If the door has sagged, then in a modern refrigerator it can be tightened. For this you only need a wrench (each model has its own diameter) and an assistant. There is a plug on top of the refrigerator, under which the nuts are hidden. All you have to do is pry it with a knife and that’s it. If the refrigerator is 2-chamber, it is worth rehanging the other door.
This is how thermoelectric refrigerators are repaired.
More details about adjustment in the video.
If there is a lot of ice in the freezer
In fact, it's not even a breakdown. This happens if there is no No Frost function. In this case, it is enough to disconnect the device from the mains and leave it with the door open until it thaws completely. This is enough to repair the refrigerator.
What to do if the refrigerator does not turn off?
The refrigerator does not turn off.
This is why the refrigerator can work constantly and not turn off:
- The door is not fully closed because the appliance is not level or, for example, a large saucepan is in the way.
- Freezing or cooling mode has started. If this is a “smart” refrigerator, then the motor turns off itself. And in older models you need to disable the mode manually.
- It’s hot in the kitchen or the appliances are standing near the radiator or stove.
If none of the reasons apply, the refrigerator continues to work without turning off, you need to call a technician.
More complex repairs
It is worth considering more complex refrigerator malfunctions. You should not undertake repairs if you are not confident in your own abilities, as the device can be completely broken. It is worth remembering that you may need to disassemble the compressor refrigerator.
Finding leaks and replacing refrigerant
How to fix a refrigerator if a refrigerant leak is suspected? First you need to determine the location of the freon leak.
To do this, the tube must be coated with a soap solution. If there are new bubbles, there is a hole in this place. But it’s not always possible to get close in this way. Then you can add food coloring to the refrigerant tube. The leak will be noticeable by its characteristic color.
The easiest way to seal the hole is with a LA-CO sealing pencil. It is not cheap - about 1000 rubles, but then it can be useful when repairing a washing machine or freezer.
In principle, this kind of refrigerator repair is not difficult to do with your own hands. But to be sure, you need a diagram of how the refrigerator works. These can be found on the Internet and are often referred to as “Service Manual”.
You can see more details in the video.
The control board is burnt out or faulty
Repairing the refrigerator circuit board is not always appropriate. The operation of the module is often disrupted and it needs to be resoldered and re-flashed. It is possible to repair the capacitor if it swells or explodes. You need to unsolder it and buy a similar one in the store.
It would be more correct to buy a control module separately, since they are inexpensive, and repairing household circuit boards is irrelevant.
If the temperature regulator is broken
Repairing the thermostat is also pointless - it is a consumable item. It is inexpensive, but first you need to find the breakdown.
It’s easy to check the refrigerator thermostat at home. If the compressor starts working longer or, on the contrary, suddenly turns off, the thermostat is most likely to blame. Here is a detailed video on how to test the thermostat of an Indesit refrigerator with your own hands.
Malfunctions of NoFrost systems
Repair of No frost refrigerators usually involves a fan. There are often 2 problems:
- Refrigerator fan failure. In this case, you need to rotate the blades. If they spin, you should ring the starter. It has 2 contacts and if there is no contact, the fan in the refrigerator needs to be replaced.
- Fuser. Frequent repair of No Frost refrigerators - broken fuser. If its resistance is 0 or tends to it, the part must be replaced.
Compressor repair
Refrigeration chamber repairs are often associated with compressor failure.
Entire replacement
Most often it cannot be repaired. In this case it is easier to replace it. The connection diagram for the refrigerator compressor depends on the model, but to understand the process, just watch this video. The repair of a two-compressor refrigerator is carried out in the same way.
Start relay problems
The refrigerator relay is easy to diagnose. Usually a clicking sound is heard, as before the compressor starts. Nothing happens. Relay failures are varied:
- Contacts are clogged.
- The winding burned out.
- The spring plate is cracked or has lost its elasticity.
In this case, it is appropriate to replace the relay on the refrigerator. Moreover, it costs 500 rubles for foreign refrigerators “Stinol”, “Electrolux” and even “Atlantic”.
Here is a useful video on how to disassemble the compressor from a refrigerator.
What to do if the refrigerator does not turn on?
The refrigerator does not turn on
If your refrigerator does not turn on, the first thing to do is open the door and see if the light comes on:
- You see that the light has turned on, but it is warm inside the chamber - check how the device is positioned. Perhaps it is skewed, so the door does not close and room air enters the chamber. If you have one of the latest models, then a protection mechanism is activated that blocks the motor from starting. Some refrigerators will have an error code on the display.
- If the light is on, you need to check the cord, plug and socket for damage.
Is the device level and is everything ok with the network connection? Then the reason why the refrigerator does not turn on is inside it. You need to unplug the appliance, take out the groceries and call service.
If you want to carry out diagnostics yourself, and only then call a technician, here is a list of the most common breakdowns, why the refrigerator does not turn on.
Vibration during operation
Many owners of Sviyaga and Atlant refrigeration chambers encounter this. They have problems with depreciation, although this defect is also found in European units.
The legs are equipped with shock absorbers, which are secured with a nut. Repair of Sviyaga and Atlant refrigerators involves loosening the fastening.
By the way, the design of the Atlant refrigerator does not always provide for depreciation. In this case, you can put a foam backing under the leg.
What to do if the light does not turn on?
The light in the refrigerator does not work.
Of course, if only the light bulb has burned out, we cannot say that the two-chamber refrigerator does not work completely. But without light, using the device is at least inconvenient. You can replace the light bulb yourself or call a technician.
Before the specialist arrives, you can also check whether the contacts between the cartridge and the base are broken, and make sure that the wiring is not damaged. It happens that the contact has come loose, so the light bulb in the refrigerator does not work. It would be a good idea to diagnose the door limit switch and control board. Again, if this is a task with an asterisk, trust the master on all issues.
There are three types of light bulbs used in refrigerators:
- LED.
- Incandescent.
- Halogen.
It is best to change the light bulb to a “original” one when the light in the refrigerator does not work. And also use products from companies that specialize in the manufacture of components for refrigerators. LED lamps save on electricity, but, nevertheless, many owners are satisfied with an incandescent lamp.
Inspection of the compressor block
The electric motor and compressor are the main elements of the device. In modern models they are a single compressor unit. It is difficult to independently assess the performance of a motor, compressor, posistor, capacitor and other structural parts. However, obvious visual defects can be identified visually. During transportation, some components could be damaged, which will further affect the performance of the equipment. During transportation, the integrity of the circuit may be compromised. This causes the device to malfunction.
Inspecting the compressor will reveal its defects.
In some cases, the compressor unit is covered with a special grill, and loaders may refuse to remove it. However, it only takes a few seconds to dismantle and reinstall it. To do this, simply unscrew the four screws that secure the grille to the body. If movers or other store or delivery service representatives refuse to open the compressor unit for inspection, there may be some damage to the unit.
Removing the protective decorative grille to check the compressor unit
What to do if the refrigerator does not freeze well?
Doesn't freeze well
The refrigerator can freeze slightly or, conversely, strongly. This is also a problem that needs to be solved in time before the camera fails completely.
Why the refrigerator does not freeze, but the freezer works:
- The thermostat is broken . To be replaced.
- There is not enough freon . If this is the case, then the condenser at the back of the device will be cold. It is necessary to determine how the leak occurred, replace or repair the part, and charge the device with refrigerant.
- The compressor does not work . Only a master can solve this problem.
- Depressurization . If the door does not close as it should, then there is always warm air in the chamber. The refrigerator door needs to be fixed.
- The seal is worn out . The rubber band needs to be replaced.
Icing
Ice may appear on the walls of the device for various reasons.:
- Refrigerator defrosting does not work . It is necessary to diagnose the operation of the sensor, repair it or install a new one. If you have a device with one compressor, then it is normal for it to remain for about 40 minutes and then melt. In models with two compressors, this lasts about 25 minutes and disappears in the same amount of time.
- High load . This problem usually occurs when cooked dishes that have not cooled down are placed in the chamber. Conclusion - you can’t do this.
- The rubber band is worn out . Therefore, ice may appear on the sides. Replace the seal.
- The refrigerator motor does not work . If it does not turn off, freon leaks, hail grows inside, and ice appears. The part needs to be replaced.
The temperature in the refrigerator compartment is not low enough
Probable reasons:
1) The temperature on the thermostat is set incorrectly. You need to set the desired cooling temperature.
2) Failure of the thermostat. We need to check its serviceability.
3) In the room where the refrigerator is used, the air temperature is elevated. It is necessary to install the refrigerator in a room with normal temperature, or at a sufficient distance from the heat source.
4) A lot of dust has collected on the condenser, which is why the refrigerant passing through it is not cooled enough. It is necessary to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply and remove dust using a soft brush or vacuum cleaner.
5) The backlight light in the refrigerator compartment is constantly on. It is necessary to adjust the operation of the switch for this light bulb.
6) The refrigerator door seal has lost its elasticity, and warm air is penetrating into the refrigerator compartment. It is necessary, if possible, to replace the seal.
