Fridge Problems need Ideas

[sacherjj]

I have a Whirlpool Imperial Series Side by Side Fridge. This morning, the kitchen was wet as the freezer contents melted. This is about 6 years old. The coils aren't very dirty and nothing is obvious in the back. When the compressor tries to kick on, there is a noise similar to a loud electric car seat adjustment motor. This continues for a few seconds and then stops. It isn't loud enough to be a full compressor run, more like it is trying to start and can't. It repeats every couple minutes.

I was thinking about an overheating compressor, so I unplugged it for 3 hours and then plugged it in. It immediately performed the attempted start up described above. Are there some simple things I should check? I trying to figure out if it is a complete loss without having to pay someone $70 to tell me that.

[bigsteel15]

First of all, I believe you'll have a 10 year warranty on the compressor itself, so nothing is a complete loss, except the labor bill may or may not be covered. Check your warranty, assuming you're the original owner and/or have the records.
Secondly, If this has an electronic control system then there's not really much you can check except the compressor start relay and capacitor, if equipped.
Local parts store should have testing ability if you're not sure, or they'll try to sell you a universal relay/capacitor kit.

My advice when it comes to fridge repairs that I can't solve in 2 sentences...PAY THE $70 for the tech to check it out.

[Derrick]

Nowhere near an expert but you might check to make sure the the small fan that cools the compressor is working or the fan blades aren't obstructed somehow.

[Hellrazor]

Sounds like the starter died. Thats a death wish for the compressor.

[LCHIEN]

Nowhere near an expert but you might check to make sure the the small fan that cools the compressor is working or the fan blades aren't obstructed somehow.

That's the first thing that occurred to me, check the fan that's back there, sounds like the blades are hitting something.

[bigsteel15]

IF there is a condenser fan the compressor should have still started after having been shut off for 3 hours.
It sounds to me like the starter coil.
If you're electrically inclined and can see which wires are start/run, you could hot wire it.
Don't try it unless you're absolutely sure.
I have a 3 wire set-up with a momentary switch installed that I attach to the start connection.

[sacherjj]

Thanks for the ideas, everyone. You guys gave me the right thought process to find the actual solution. The fridge is now purring properly and hopefully I will know it is cooling in a few hours.

I found out about "Hard Start" kits. This is a combination capacitor, overload and solid state relay to give the compressor a starting boost. The one I got was "Supco 3 n' 1 Start" and was under $29. You hook up the two live wires and then hook to the start, run, and common connections on the compressor. The figures vary depending on brand, but it gives somewhere between 250-650% increase in starting torque.

After reading about these, it may make sense to put one of these in, even before you have compressor problems. The capacitive start reduces the inrush current, which makes each cycle easier on all components. If companies spent an extra $15 on components that would make their product last longer. But then you wouldn't buy a fridge every decade.

[bigsteel15]

I found out about "Hard Start" kits. This is a combination capacitor, overload and solid state relay to give the compressor a starting boost. The one I got was "Supco 3 n' 1 Start" and was under $29. You hook up the two live wires and then hook to the start, run, and common connections on the compressor. The figures vary depending on brand, but it gives somewhere between 250-650% increase in starting torque.

When I was doing repairs, we used to tell people this was a temporary fix and that you should still replace the start relay with OEM product (if available).
That said, some OEM will sell exactly that kit.
Our belief was that the extra "boost" was hard on the motor windings in the compressor and would eventually shorten its life.
Not saying It's right, just what advise I was told to give a few years back.