The freezer does not turn off: causes and troubleshooting

The new compressor is always on

The situation is standard: you called a technician and he replaced the supercharger. Then you loaded the refrigerator with food and turned it on, and the relay does not turn off the motor for a very long time. This is normal - after all, the device was turned off for a long time, the temperature inside the chamber remained above zero for a long time, and the food was also warm. It takes time to cool the interior and food to the set values. The time period for continuous cold injection depends on the following factors:

1. Set temperature;
2. Volume of products on all shelves, including the door;
3. Station performance and engine power;
4. Temperature in the room where the refrigerator is located;
5. Model (No Frost or Low Frost, Frost Free or Naturecool, Super Frost). In fact, several dozen modern cooling systems have been developed, and you need to find out which one works in your refrigerator in the documentation. This also includes multi-flow air supply systems (Total No Frost, DoorCooling, etc.).

Manufacturers stipulate the standard time for continuous operation of the electric compressor before the first shutdown of the engine - this is approximately 180 minutes. You can read more in the article: How long should a refrigerator work without turning off - problems and their solutions.

Control board fault

Problems with the control board often result from prolonged operation of the freezer. In this case, there is simply no signal to turn off the motor, which provides the freezer with cold. You cannot fix this problem on your own.

It is enough to reflash or replace the part.

The freezer may not turn off for various reasons. Experts do not recommend repairing expensive equipment on your own, as this can only make the problem worse. You can “reboot” the refrigerator or fix minor problems on your own. You can defrost the device at any time. But if after this procedure the problem does not disappear, you should immediately contact a specialist.

Refrigerators and freezers (intended exclusively for freezing and not having a moderate cooling mode) are technologically unable to operate continuously.

The compressor unit is programmed for cyclic mode: as a rule, the electric motor runs for 15–20 minutes, then there is a break of 5–10 minutes. The execution of the program is monitored by a control unit consisting of a fairly primitive programmer, an electronic timer (in advanced models), and a temperature sensor. In addition, the starting device contains a so-called thermal protection relay. It monitors the current flowing through the motor winding and breaks the power circuit if it overheats. This is an emergency shutdown unit that is not related to the operating mode. That is, if the monitoring and control unit does not give the command for a cyclic shutdown, and the motor overheats, the power still disappears. The engine cannot start until the actuator cools down: the bimetallic plate.

Thus, in the absence of obvious malfunctions, the engine will in any case periodically rest. Either at the end of the cold injection cycle, or after the protective thermostat has tripped.

The refrigerator turns on frequently, runs for a long time and does not turn off

If all compartments of a two-chamber refrigerator operate in the same mode, and the unit itself often turns on or works without turning off the compressor, the reasons may be as follows:

1. Microcracks in the heat exchanger capillary tube system, refrigerant leak;
2. The relay that turns on the compressor motor has failed;
3. The automatic control of the refrigerator is broken;
4. Access to fresh air flow to the condenser is limited by furniture or other foreign objects;
5. The compressor is not cooled naturally or using a cooler.

If you were unable to solve the problem with a constantly running compressor on your own, call a refrigeration technician or contact a service center for help.

In this article, we described all the reasons why the refrigerator constantly works and does not turn off. We hope you found it useful. Don't forget to save it and share it with your friends!

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Problems with the rubber seal

Less commonly, the cause of the compressor constantly running due to a loose refrigerator door can be an old or damaged door seal. A deformed part of the rubber gasket may prevent the door from sealing tightly.

Cracks in the seal force the compressor to constantly minimize temperature leakage and operate without shutting down. The old seal may lose its magnetic properties, and the fit of the rubber around the entire perimeter will be loose, with cold air leaking.

If the reason is in the thermostat

As a rule, the thermostat in the refrigerator is located on the front panel or in the chamber of the device, and is designed to set the required temperature. The most common malfunction of this element is the stem sticking out. You just need to put it in place. However, in some cases, the cause of the malfunction may be the failure of the thermostat (for example, due to a short circuit in its housing after water enters due to inaccurate defrosting), and then its replacement is also necessary.

Read also: Corrosion-resistant steels and alloys

Causes of compressor cycle failure

If your freezer is running continuously, the motor will overheat because it has no means of cooling. The situation is aggravated by the fact that the electric motor is housed in a hermetically sealed housing, which does not even have a basic heat sink. And the compressor itself wears out much faster in this mode. If the cause of the cycle violation is not eliminated, the main unit of the refrigeration unit will fail. Repairs are comparable to the cost of the entire unit, especially if it is used.

Why doesn't my chest freezer turn off on time?

Important: Before rushing to troubleshoot, carefully monitor the operation of the unit for at least 30–40 minutes. During this time, a change of modes (work/rest) should occur at least once.

If the suspicions are confirmed, we will look into the situation.

First, let's look at the reasons that are not pure malfunctions.

• You may have set the operating mode selector to maximum freezing.

  
  Chest freezers have this function to quickly set the minimum possible temperature. With such a program, the motor can be turned off only due to overheating (the protective thermal relay will trip).

• The refrigerator is loaded to capacity. Products placed in the chamber must first be frozen through. Of course, the control unit will try to bring the internal temperature to the set value as quickly as possible. At this time, the compressor can operate continuously for quite a long time.
• A similar situation: a lot of warm food with a large heat capacity was placed in a chest freezer. For example, water in plastic bottles, or large pieces of raw meat. While this mass reaches the required temperature, the engine operating cycle will be longer.
• The freezer is located near a window (or outside) and receives direct sunlight. Trade (display) chests with a glass lid “perceive” this arrangement especially painfully.

• A similar case: heat sources are located next to the unit. For example, a heating radiator, an oven, or a cooking stove.
• The temperature in the room where the equipment is located is too high. If the thermometer shows 30°C or higher, then even the standard thermal insulation of the freezer will not help.
• Visitors look into the refrigerator chest too often, leaving the door open for a long time. In 1–2 minutes, the temperature inside rises by 5–10°C. The compressor simply does not have time to catch up with the cold, and begins to “thresh” without stopping.

• The freezer door is not closed or does not fit tightly around the contour. This is a common occurrence in stores, especially if the transparent display glass moves to the side. The frosty air instantly evaporates through the gap.
• The magnetic door seal is worn. Over time, the rubber becomes hard and deforms, forming unnoticeable cracks. This problem only applies to swing doors.
• The seal on the sliding glass windows broke (a similar situation).
• The condenser radiator is not working efficiently. It can become clogged with dust to the point of a felt cushion, and then heat transfer tends to zero.
• There is no air convection around the radiator: foreign objects (boxes, curtains, etc.) interfere with free movement, or the chest freezer is too close to the wall.
• The surface of the evaporator inside the chamber is frostbitten. If there is a layer of snow or porous ice there, the generated cold remains in the tube system without penetrating inside. The temperature sensor “does not see” a drop in temperature and does not give a command to take a break from work.

Possible cause of failure

Many users are faced with the problem of constant operation of refrigeration equipment without stopping. How to find and eliminate the cause of this malfunction? This feature of the device may be associated with:

• incorrect installation;
• wear of components;
• incorrect settings.

It is important to install the refrigerator correctly, but many people miss this point. Often there is no air gap left between the wall and the body of the equipment. Remember, installing a refrigerator next to heating appliances is strictly prohibited. The temperature in the room should not be elevated. The reason for the constant operation of the equipment can also be a hot compressor operating without stopping for a long time.

Correct equipment placement

Don't forget about the age of the device. In older appliances, the thermostat or compressor often fails. The components must be replaced.

Also, due to carelessness, you can set the maximum value on the thermostat. In this case, the compressor will automatically maintain the set mode. Familiarize yourself with the functionality of your equipment. For example, the super-freezing function set may imply uninterrupted cooling.

Remember that on average the compressor should work no more than 15-20 minutes per start. This should be followed by a rest that lasts at least 5 minutes.

How to set the temperature on the refrigerator

These are the most common reasons why a refrigerator runs for a long time. You can independently exclude one or another option. Some breakdowns can be corrected yourself at home.

If the cause of the malfunction is different, you should contact a professional.

Often, defrosting the refrigerator is enough to solve the problem. If after this procedure no changes occur, it will not be possible to do without repairs. Often in such situations it is necessary to use the services of specialists. So, why don't temporary freezer shutdowns occur?

Why the camera is constantly working: probable reasons

To accurately determine the causes of the breakdown, you will need special diagnostic equipment and skills in disassembling and repairing MO (freezing equipment). We offer a description of possible problems.

The camera is constantly on, but it's warm inside

This behavior of the freezer could cause a clogged capillary. In such a situation, the compressor does not pump the refrigerant and no cooling occurs. The cause of blockages is burnt engine oil, which circulates in the pipes along with the refrigerant.

In this case, you will need to clean the system, refill freon and check the condition of the oil, and, if necessary, refill the oil.

The camera gets very cold, ice or snow freezes

Do you have mechanically controlled equipment? The problem is in the thermostat (temperature controller). In electronic devices, the fault is caused by the evaporator air sensor. If these components fail, the electronic module does not receive data that the chamber is already cold enough, which is why the compressor runs without interruption. A broken part needs to be replaced.

Another reason is wear of the rubber seal. If the seal has dried out and ceased to perform its functions, the chamber door no longer closes tightly, and warm air entering the system condenses on the walls and develops into snow or ice. And to compensate for excess heat, the motor begins to wear out without stopping. The rubber band will need to be changed.

Single-motor device freezes

However, the temperature in the main compartment is not low enough. Explanation of the problem - “sticking” of the valve for switching between chambers. When it is fixed in the “freezer” position, the motor work goes to only this compartment. The part needs to be changed.

The second reason is a breakdown of the electronic module (control board). In this case, the motor does not receive commands to switch to the freezer. The solution is to flash the firmware or replace the board.

Freezes a unit with 2 motors

There is not enough cold in the main chamber. In this case, the problem most likely lies in the control board. As in the case above, the module will need to be repaired or replaced.

The compressor works, but there is no cold

There is refrigerant, and you are sure of it, but the regenerator is covered with ice: failure is typical for models with 1 heat exchanger. In them, the common motor operating for the freezer and refrigerator compartment is forced to turn on more often than provided for by the specified functionality.

To find out if this is true is quite simple - remove the decorative trim on the back of the exchanger panel, and visually determine the volume of condensation on the shirt. If the layer thickness is more than 1 cm, then it’s time to defrost the unit.

Do you want to speed up defrosting? Do not chip ice or scrape snow to avoid damaging the thin aluminum walls of the evaporator! Just direct a stream of warm air at it. After defrosting, set the operating temperature on the thermostat 1°C-3°C higher than before.

Video on the topic

A refrigerator is an indispensable attribute of every kitchen. Its breakdown causes a lot of troubles and inconveniences. The most common reason is that the freezer simply does not turn off. There are many breakdowns that can cause constant operation of equipment.

A hardware problem can occur in both modern and older models. Every owner of household appliances should understand that it is not always possible to fix the problem on their own. Some breakdowns require not only skills in working with electronic devices, but also knowledge in the field of refrigeration equipment. You can carry out repair work yourself if you know how to:

• refill freon into the system;
• detect and eliminate blockages;
• find the location of the leak.

But still, you can try to find and fix the cause of the problem yourself.

Why won't the freezer turn off?

The cause of the malfunction is in the relay

The compressor power start-up relay, which controls the thermostat, may have broken down. A similar malfunction often occurs during power surges: the relay contacts “stick” (weld to each other) and therefore constantly supply current to the compressor. To check the power contacts of the refrigerator relay, you should use an ohmmeter, and if a malfunction is detected, replace it.

You should not try to remove the old relay from the refrigerator and install a new one yourself, even if you know exactly where this piece of equipment is located and what is required for its dismantling and installation. Even the slightest mistakes can lead to complete failure of the unit without the possibility of restoring its functionality in the future.

How to disassemble a chest freezer

Disassembly of the chest freezer should only be carried out by professionals who have the appropriate skills and tools. You can get to the working part of the chest from behind - you need to remove the protective casing, which is held on by 3-4 screws. Some models do not have a casing at all.

Complete disassembly of the chest is carried out only for major repairs of the capillary system or insulation. This is a rather complex task that not every specialist will undertake.

Material prepared by Cooler-store.ru