If your refrigerator is warming up and it makes a noise like the one here… (wait for it, wait for it…)

… then you need to unplug the refrigerator immediately before you do some real damage.

Chances are that the noise featured in the video is caused by a bad start relay on the compressor– a simple control repair. But if’n you let the compressor keep trying to start, you’ll fry that sucker like a deep fried rat.

Yep, each time you hear that low hum when the compressor is trying to start, the compressor is sucking an ocean of electricity and gettin’ reeeel hot. Eventually, the insulation over the motor windings breaks down. Once this happens, the compressor won’t start even if you do replace the start relay; nawsir, it’s what we professionals call FUBAR.

Replacing a compressor is an expensive job that requires lots of special tools and training.

OTOH, you can replace a compressor start relay with a screwdriver and needle nose pliers.

So, listen up!

To learn more about your refrigerator, or to order parts, click here.

This entry was posted on Saturday, March 21st, 2009 at 10:43 pm and is filed under Refrigerator Repair. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.