Do not freeze the refrigerator: causes of breakdowns, detailed instructions with photos
Sometimes there is an unpleasant situation with household refrigeration units - the freezer works, the refrigerator compartment is not cooled. It seems that the refrigerator did not break, but performs its functions poorly.
This situation is not only unpleasant for the owner, but can also be quite dangerous. If you let the situation drift, the refrigerator may break permanently, and the repair will cost a penny. And failure to comply with the temperature regime can not only lead to additional costs, but also seriously harm the health of household members. This is not to be expected. It is best to find a fault at the first sign, find out its cause and take appropriate measures.
How a household refrigerator works
Before you find out, why the refrigerator began to freeze badly, worth talking about, how the refrigerator is arranged and works. In principle, there is nothing complicated about it. The household refrigerator system includes 4 main node:
- compressor;
- capacitor;
- evaporator;
- connecting pipe system.
In a hermetically sealed system circulates a special gas - refrigerant. It has a low t?From evaporation and boiling. When the refrigerant expands, it absorbs heat, and when compressed returns it by condensation.
The refrigerant in home refrigerators is usually freon. It is completely harmless, non-combustible substance. Liquid refrigerant enters the capillary tubes under pressure, and then into the evaporator, where it begins to "absorb" heat. As a result, the surface of the refrigerator cools down. This process is repeated from the beginning until then, until the set temperature is set in the refrigerator. Then the temperature regulator will work, which opens the circuit and causes the compressor to stop. The temperature regulator is necessary for protection of the compressor against overloads and economy of electricity.
After a while, when t?C in the refrigerator will rise again, the circuit closes again and the cycle repeats again.
Primary diagnostics of the refrigerator
If you noticed, that the refrigerator does not freeze food or it is bad to do so, primarily, carry out visual diagnostics of the device. Sometimes the fault may not be related to a breakdown, and is a consequence of the inattention of the owners.
- First, make sure, that the refrigerator costs exactly, there are no distortions and closing the door does not interfere.
- Check it out, whether the refrigerator is connected to a separate outlet or it works through a tee or extension cord. Sometimes the reason, that the refrigerator stopped freezing normally, is, that there is no good contact between the plug and the socket.
- Carefully inspect the button labeled "Defrost". In some models of refrigerators, the button may be accidentally pressed if the products are not placed correctly.
- Inspect the thermostat. If the room is very hot, and the freezer runs at maximum, quite likely, that the refrigerator simply can not cope with such a load. This is especially true of refrigerators, have one compressor. In such units the refrigerating chamber works on the "residual principle". That is, first the set temperature is reached in the freezer and only then the refrigerating compartment begins to cool. What to do? To solve the problem, set the temperature in the freezer -10 — 12?WITH, and in the refrigerator compartment, move the thermostat knob to the middle position.
- If you have a No Frost refrigerator, pay attention to the fan in the freezer. If it is frozen and not working, then the cold will stop coming into the refrigerator compartment. You do not need to disassemble the freezer for this, just listen carefully. If you do not hear a quiet even buzzing when the freezer door is open, defrost the refrigerator for 10-12 hours. This time is enough, that the ice melted completely and the situation returned to normal.
We detect minor problems
If any of the above actions did not work, then it's time to look for reasons, through which the refrigerator stopped freezing. All breakdowns of the household refrigerator can be divided into two groups: small and large. To begin, let's talk about small faults, repair of which will be relatively inexpensive. so, if the refrigerator is running, but does not freeze, pay attention to its "weaknesses".
The sealant has dried up
A special rubber seal is located around the perimeter of the refrigerator door. It serves to ensure the tightness of refrigerators and freezers. From that, how tightly it fits to the door depends, no extra heat will enter the compartment from the outside. If it has dried out, cracked and ceased to fit snugly to the door - then you need to replace the seal with a new one.
Broken thermostat
To determine such a breakdown will have to use a tester. When the refrigerator is on, "ring" the node. If there is no voltage, the part will have to be replaced with a new one. Read about it on our website, how to replace the thermostat in the refrigerator yourself.
Engine overheating
If the light is on in the refrigerator, and the temperature does not drop, touch the engine. Quite likely, due to the high temperature it overheated, the thermal protection was activated and the motor was switched off. This is another reason, why the refrigerator began to freeze badly.
Turn off the refrigerator and defrost it completely. Make sure, that the engine has cooled completely and turn on the refrigerator again. If everything worked - move the refrigerator away from the wall and other objects, so that the motor can cool better.
Temperature sensor
Place an ordinary household thermometer in the refrigerator compartment and compare its values with the temperature sensor readings over time.. If they do not match, the sensor will have to be replaced.
Serious refrigerator malfunctions
If the refrigerator does not freeze, you did not find small "sores" in him, means, everything is much more serious. Probably, the breakdown is related to one of the main nodes.
The fan motor has failed
If this happens, you will not have to look long. The point is, that the fan motor emits a very characteristic sound during operation, uniform buzzing. If you do not hear it - the breakdown is obvious. Quite likely, that he just froze. But if prolonged thawing did not help, will have to call a wizard.
The compressor burned out
If your refrigerator has only one compressor, you will immediately see the breakdown. There will be no freezing or freezing, no refrigeration compartment. Probably, next to the refrigerator you will soon see a large puddle.
And here if you have a two-compressor refrigerator, the problem may not be immediately apparent. In such models for each department the compressor is provided. That's why the freezer can work properly, and the refrigerator will be warm. Be that as it may, replace the compressor yourself, without the help of a specialist you are unlikely to succeed.
Clogging of the cooling system
Sometimes a filter drier, on which the oil for the electric motor moves, clogged with waste or burnt particles. A good wizard will quickly identify the problem. The system of thin tubes is also often clogged, on which the refrigerant circulates. It is impossible to eliminate such damage without special equipment. You need to thoroughly blow the tubes under pressure and refuel.
Refrigerant leak
If you noticed, what, although the engine is running, the capacitor remains cold, means, there was a leak of freon and the refrigerator drives the air. Another sign of such a breakdown - rusty stains inside the freezer, located at the bottom. The cause of the leak may be microscopic cracks in the evaporator. That is why it is strictly forbidden to "help" the refrigerator with defrosting, scrape off the snow and chip off pieces of ice in the freezer.
Microcracks could also be formed due to the strong vibration of the refrigerator, if it is installed unevenly. If you have recently moved the refrigerator, probably, the tube between the compressor and the evaporator broke. In general, there can be many reasons.
If the crack is implicit, detect it without a special device will not work. in addition, to make the refrigerator work properly, after soldering, the system must be refilled with CFC.
Refrigerator No Frost
You have No Frost refrigerator systems? There is another reason, on which No Frost the refrigerator does not cool. At units, having a dry freezing system, sometimes the heater burns out. This site is needed for that, to periodically defrost the cooling system. If the shadows are burned, the fan will freeze in ice. To eliminate the problem, the refrigerator must be thawed well and replace the thermal electric heater.
Rules for handling refrigeration
Of course, it is impossible to completely eliminate the refrigerator from malfunctions. But, following certain rules, you can delay the onset of trouble:
- never put warm or hot food in the refrigerator;
- once or twice a year, clean the back of the refrigerator with a vacuum cleaner and a damp sponge; this should be done very carefully, so as not to damage the tubes and wires;
- plug the refrigerator into an individual outlet, so as not to disturb the wires when turning on other appliances;
- turning off the defrost, first turn the thermostat knob to position "0", and then remove the plug from the outlet;
- place the unit away from the hob, heating batteries and sinks - the presence of an additional heat source near the refrigerator creates an additional load;
- move the unit away from the wall and other objects at least on 5 cm - this will create normal conditions for proper cooling of the compressor.
