It is simply impossible to imagine life without a refrigerator today. Therefore, it is not surprising that any breakdown of refrigeration equipment causes real panic among equipment owners. Especially if we are talking not just about a broken handle or a peeling rubber seal, but about the refusal of the refrigerator to perform its main functions - cooling and freezing.
Owners of LIEBHERR equipment do not encounter such problems very often - refrigerators from this German manufacturer are characterized not only by stylish design and functionality, but also by excellent performance parameters and reliability. And yet sometimes the equipment refuses to perform its functions... What to do?
Doesn't freeze/doesn't work (refrigerator/freezer/upper compartment)
Most often the problem is a freon leak. If the chamber wall is swollen, then gas leakage occurs in the foamed circuit. It is no longer possible to correct such a defect. To be sure, you can try to defrost the refrigerator and then start it again. If there is no freon, the chambers will not cool.
If the freezer is equipped with a separate compressor, the temperature there will be normal. It is worth paying attention to the operation of the motor: if it turns on for a short time and stops with a roar, then it is time to contact the service department.
When there is only one compressor for both compartments, there may be several explanations for the malfunction:
- The refrigerant switching valve is jammed, then the temperature in the freezer will rise, and freezing will begin in the cold cabinet.
- In the refrigerator with No-Frost, the cooler, which ensures the flow of cold into the freezer, has broken down.
- The temperature sensor has failed and the cold will not flow.
- The control module has become unusable.
Doesn't turn on
When the lights and indicators are on in the refrigerator, but the refrigerator itself does not start or turns on for a short time, there are two possible reasons:
When the device does not work at all - that is, there is no light inside, there is no indication and the control panel does not respond to pressing, then this means a complete blackout. Test the outlet using another electrical appliance. Another explanation could be a broken electrical cable. You need to examine it with a multimeter along the entire length from the plug to the junction box inside the device. If there is resistance when connecting between the compressor casing and the lead-through wires, then the problem is definitely in the compressor - it is faulty.
Repair of components and systems
Liebherr refrigerator components rarely require repairs due to their high quality. Usually the need for this arises due to exposure to external factors or improper handling.
Not in all cases you can repair the equipment yourself or replace it: there is a high probability that you will have to use the services of specialized service workshops.
Troubleshooting the start-up relay
A fairly rare failure for Liebherr refrigerators is the failure of the start relay.
There are several reasons for the malfunction:
- overheating of the coil;
- decreased elasticity of the movable plate;
- jamming of moving contacts.
Any of these problems require removal and disassembly of the relay. It is located in close proximity to the compressor.
The thermostat must be installed in the position indicated in the instructions. The moving contacts move downwards under the influence of gravity. If they close, the relay will burn out along with the compressor
Diagnostics of the performance and repair of this unit is typical. You can do it yourself or entrust it to a workshop that specializes in repairing household appliances. Only a problem with the winding can cause the part to be replaced.
Finding leaks and replacing refrigerant
Freon leakage most often occurs at the junction or soldering points of the aluminum and copper parts of the circuit. If a breakthrough occurs in the foamed (insulated) area of the refrigerator, then the problem area can be visually identified by darkening and swelling of the plastic chamber.
In any case, to seal the leak and pump in refrigerant, you must have experience in this area.
The most likely leak locations are shown in the video:
An article devoted to methods for carrying out this procedure will introduce you to the technological rules and steps for refilling a refrigerator with freon.
Failure of the “NoFrost” system fan
The fan is installed behind the evaporator and separated from the chamber by a special cover with holes. In order to remove it, you need to turn the clamps 90 degrees. When disconnecting the motor from the power supply, the refrigerator must be turned off.
Structurally, the fan is an ordinary blade model. It can be repaired at a home appliance repair shop. Typical problems are bearing replacement or broken wiring.
In order to replace a failed fan, you need to remove the decorative protective cover with holes that covers the device. It is located on the back or side wall of the refrigerator
Compressor replacement procedure
The operating principle of Liebherr refrigeration equipment is not fundamentally different from devices from other manufacturers. Replacing a refrigerator compressor is the same procedure for any brand. Requires the skills of an electrician, mechanic and the ability to work with a household oxygen-propane torch.
Replacing a compressor is a non-trivial procedure that requires experience. Expensive Liebherr refrigerators are definitely not suitable for practicing repair skills
Eliminating rattling compressor sounds
To carry out this procedure, it is necessary to turn off the refrigerator and move it away from the wall, providing access to the back.
The compressor is located at the bottom and is covered by an enclosing panel, which must be removed by unscrewing the screws along the contour of the cover. After this, you can turn on the refrigerator to determine the location of the rattling noise. Using a wooden stick or block, it is necessary to press the compressor where it connects to the frame of the refrigerator.
If the rattling sound changes, this means that loose fasteners need to be tightened. Do not touch the compressor or capillary tube with metal objects while the refrigerator is running, as this may result in an electric shock.
Also, rattling can be caused by contact between the metal tube through which the refrigerant moves and some element of the refrigerator. As a result of the operation of the compressor, vibration is transmitted to the tube and it strikes the part in contact with it.
Using a stick, you can slightly change the position of the elements and understand the origin of the sound. To eliminate it, it is enough to lay a homemade foam insert, which must be secured with ordinary fishing line.
Replacing lighting bulbs
All lamps are covered with special light-transmitting casings. To access the lamp, you must remove the cover. To do this, you need to press on it from both sides and pull it towards you.
Each lamp is provided with a shade that protects it from contact with moist air. If it is damaged, it is better to replace it, otherwise the light bulbs will often burn out
When replacing a light bulb, you must completely turn off the refrigerator. Technical characteristics (base format, voltage and power) are indicated in the device passport.
Solving the problem with temperature sensors
First of all, you need to check the situation when the sensor freezes. Frost, having poor thermal conductivity, prevents it from responding to changes in air temperature. Therefore, the control unit does not receive information in time that the desired temperature has been reached and the compressor continues to work on cooling.
The snow shell can only be removed from the sensor by completely defrosting the refrigerator. Mechanical cleaning or the use of water will render the element unusable. If the sensor does not work properly after defrosting, it will need to be replaced.
Liebherr refrigeration equipment manufactured before 2003 had sensors with different characteristics installed. Freezer devices had less resistance. In units manufactured later than the specified year, the sensors on the evaporator, freezer and refrigerator compartments are identical.
The video will introduce you to the intricacies of the replacement work:
Replacement and installation of thermostat
To remove the thermal relay, you need to perform the following operations:
- turn off the refrigerator and remove the shelves;
- by pressing on the plugs, remove the cover, which is located in the upper rear part of the camera;
- release the thermostat panel by pulling it towards you;
- remove the thermostat knob on the front side of the panel (for mechanical control systems);
- disconnect the wires from the terminals, recording the order in which they are connected;
- Unscrew the upper screws holding the capacitor and bend it slightly;
- by turning the fasteners, remove the evaporator;
- remove the thermostat by disconnecting the capillary tubes.
To determine the functionality of the refrigerator thermostat, it must be checked with a tester. For a working device, pin 4 should be connected to numbers “3” and “6”.
When dismantling the thermal relay, it is better to photograph the order in which the wires are connected to its terminals. This will make it easier to install it back correctly
Cleaning the drainage system
To clean the drain, you need to do the following:
- turn off the refrigerator;
- remove the bottom drawers that will interfere with the cleaning procedure;
- remove accumulated water with a dry cloth;
- place a container under the clogged tube to collect water;
- Clean the tube with a soft brush and hot water.
If the tube is poorly cleaned, then you need to increase the water pressure. To do this, you can use a large syringe, enema or other available instrument.
Do not use any powders or solvent liquids to remove blockages. You should also not try to pierce an obstacle with a hard, sharp object such as a knitting needle.
The drainage system hole is located on the back wall, which has a special shape to collect water flowing down during the defrosting stage
Door alignment
Each refrigerator door can be adjusted using support brackets. To do this, you need to find their position in the instructions, use a flat-head screwdriver to remove the cover and gain access to the screws. They need to be unscrewed and the door aligned, moving it along the grooves.
It is advisable to have two people to carry out this procedure. First, it is difficult to keep the door aligned and install the screws at the same time.
Secondly, the position can only be accurately determined using a level that must be operated by the second participant in the process. In addition, if you repair alone, there is a risk of the door tipping over and damaging the door.
A signal that it is necessary to straighten the position of a sagging door of refrigeration equipment is its weak suction to the body, followed by easy opening. As a rule, the compressor wears out faster and the sensors fail as a result.
Control board failure
As a result of a breakdown of the refrigerator's electronic components, its normal functioning is impossible. If the warranty period has expired, you can try to repair the electronics in computer repair shops.
Replacing swollen capacitors and soldering oxidized contacts in most cases solves the problem.
The power board for the Liebherr CUP 3505 refrigerator costs about 7.5 thousand rubles upon order. Therefore, if you can wait, it is better to try to repair the burnt-out electronics. It could come out cheaper than 1000 rubles
Changing or straightening the rubber seal
If the rubber seal has changed its shape, resulting in the door's seal being compromised, you can try to straighten it. To do this, you need to heat the problem area with a hairdryer or hot water, and then smooth it out.
If the rubber band has broken, then everything is more complicated. The fact is that Liebherr does not produce seals separately, and buying a complete door will be expensive.
There are companies that provide piece production services for seals for a specific refrigerator model. But the price of such products with installation will cost at least 5 thousand rubles
If, when opening the door in one of the areas, you can observe the effect of a stronger adherence of the rubber band to the body of the refrigerator, then this means the presence of a sticky substance on the plastic. It must be removed, otherwise the seal will wear out over time.
To do this you need to do the following:
- prepare some warm (40-50 degrees) soapy water;
- open the refrigerator door, wash the area of adhesion on the seal and on the refrigerator body;
- Remove moisture with a dry cloth.
If the rubber band has come off in one of the corners, then you need to measure the size of the part protruding from the door. If the thickness in other places is the same, then this does not mean a defect in the seal, but a misalignment of the door.
The following article will introduce you to the principles and rules for performing repairs that are common to all brands of refrigerators, the information of which will be useful both for independent home craftsmen and for customers of the services of craftsmen from a service center to monitor the work.
The set temperature is not maintained
There are many reasons why the temperature inside the refrigerator or freezer does not correspond to the set parameters:
Specifics of refrigerators from Liebherr
Refrigerators and freezers of this German holding are positioned as premium equipment. They are produced at factories in Germany, Austria and Bulgaria.
The high cost of devices is due to the price of components and customs duties on finished products. However, this does not deter customers who are willing to pay for a quality product.
Liebherr brand refrigerators are equipped with intelligent control, a display that allows you to control the temperature and read operating errors. However, the presence of complex technical components significantly complicates repairs.
In total, Liebherr presented the following product lines for sale in Russia:
- refrigerators without freezers;
- freezers and chests;
- refrigerators with freezers, made according to the “European type” familiar in Russia;
- “American-style” two-door devices, where the refrigerator compartment is located on the right and the freezer on the left;
- wine cabinets.
The manufacturer selects components and assemblies based on the principles of reliability, without allowing compromises between quality and cost. Therefore, the price of original spare parts is quite high.
The original fan for model CBN 3956 costs 7,400 rubles, and the compatible one costs 2,300. Official dealers have only branded components in stock (+)
Installing components from other manufacturers during repairs, even if they fit the parameters, means reducing the reliability of the device. But it should be noted that this often has to be done, since Liebherr-certified service centers do not exist in all cities.
Therefore, before purchasing a refrigerator manufactured by Liebherr, it is necessary to check whether a certified repair organization is nearby and therefore has a sufficient supply of components in stock.
Before starting operation, you must study the instructions for installing and starting to operate the refrigerator, as well as the features of its defrosting. It indicates the nuances depending on the system used: drip or “NoFrost” type.
The procedure for performing operations when defrosting equipment of a certain type must be observed, since if there are facts that indicate improper operation, the manufacturer will refuse warranty service
When contacting the service, you must provide the brand, serial number of the model and describe the problem that has arisen. If the refrigerator is equipped with an electronic control and display unit, then you also need to name the error code that will be shown on the screen.
The error code indicates that the refrigerator is faulty. However, self-diagnosis does not always correctly determine the type of problem: the cause of the breakdown may be different
Ice maker not working
Some Liebherr brand refrigerators are equipped with a special device for producing clean ice - an ice maker. Like all mechanisms, it can fail. A flashing yellow light is a breakdown indicator and may indicate that:
Flashing light in the Liebherr refrigerator - who can you trust to fix the defect?
Of course, flickering lights cannot be classified as complex breakdowns. The defect can be eliminated in a short time by experienced specialists. But it is not recommended to delay repairs. Constant flashing causes increased load on the compressor. The thing is that it is a constant restart of the control module. If the compressor fails, repairs will cost a fortune.
If you are interested in high-quality and inexpensive repair of LIEBHERR refrigerators, then contact our company. We have extensive experience in restoring such equipment. We will quickly identify the main cause of the problem and eliminate it. We use only high-quality materials in our work. Our repair work is covered by a guarantee.
