Modern, frost-free, auto-defrost refrigerators consist of a confusing network of colored wires. If adjusting the thermostat got you the colder/less cold environment you sought, then you may have other issues affecting your fridge's performance. When it comes to appliances, the fridge gets taken for granted until things start to go wonky. What to Do When Your Refrigerator Stops Cooling, Mr. Appliance: The 5 Most Common Refrigerator Issues to Watch Out For. And everything has begun to thaw. This video from Sears PartsDirect shows how to troubleshoot problems with your refrigerator's thermistor or temperature sensor if your refrigerator is not cooling at the right temperature. Maybe the thermostat dial was bumped by a milk jug or somebody's tiny fingers wanted to tinker with the tech. When it comes to appliances, the fridge gets taken for granted until things start to go wonky. For the beginner, the pictorial diagram is the easiest to follow because it shows the various components as they actually look. Evaporator Fan Motor. The temperature shown for the refrigerator is correct (38 degrees), but the freezer shows -10 degrees. In some cases that manufacturer provides that wiring diagram in two formats — a pictorial diagram and a schematic diagram. Raised with a mad love for decorating, Steffani gave up her Art Deco apartment to travel and work remotely for five years. The problem is, the thermostat may display those temperatures, but still be inaccurate. There's a lot going on in a fridge — components aplenty can all affect performance, like the coolant, condenser coils, door seals, the thermostat and even the ambient temperature in the living space. Learn how to test the thermistor to see if it's working. Did the temperature move up or down, according to your thermostat adjustment? Close the doors and leave them for a few hours or overnight. Steffani is a professional writer with over five years' experience writing about the home for BuildDirect and Bob Vila. When the time passes and each is sufficiently cooled to reflect the ambient temperature in the fridge and freezer, then record the temperature in each glass and write them down so you don't forget. Time to use a little science and see if the thermostat is the problem or if your issues lie elsewhere. References Education DX: Multimeter: Testing Refrigerator Parts Working with electricity is especially dangerous because you cannot see it with the naked eye, so always unplug an appliance before working on it. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. The wheel or knob control is typically situated inside the refrigerator at the back, while the thermostat is within the appliance cabinet behind the control. Now, it's waiting time again — give it 12 hours to reach the new temperature. Common issues include erratic behavior from the thermostat or even complete malfunction. Referring to the wiring diagram, locate the wiring harness coming from the temperature control and disconnect it from the terminal board in the compressor compartment. If you have a refrigerator that never cycles on or a refrigerator that runs continuously, freezing everything in the refrigerator and freezer compartments, the chances are good that you have a bad thermostatic temperature control. A couple degrees colder or warmer, whatever you need for reaching optimal temperature. If the meter shows a “0.000” in the “Off” position or continues to display an “O.L.” even in the maximum cold position, the control is defective and needs to be replaced. Just as you need a road map to find your way around a strange city, the manufacturer has provided you with a guide to find your way through that network of wiring in the form of a wiring diagram. Sometimes, inaccurate thermostats can lead to things like the motor firing up more often than it should, so you'll hear the fridge more often, too. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, Bob Vila: Solved! If so, then great, maybe you just needed to change the temperature. Or maybe it's going the other way around. The ice causes the fan to freeze up. He advised this is a common problem with Samsungs. It's those invisible deteriorations that are cause for alarm. As a rule, these diagrams are found on the back of the refrigerator or in the compressor compartment. But how do you know it's the thermostat and not one of the many other potential troublemakers? As the fridge only had a 1 year warranty we called a repairman (cost $370) who had to take apart the whole rear of the fridge to defrost it and replace the temp sensor. Walch spent 40 years working in the electrical trades and holds an Associate of Applied Science in applied electrical engineering technology from Alvin Junior College. First, put a glass of water in the fridge and a glass of cooking oil in your freezer (the oil won't freeze, and you can still cook with it later). Now adjust the thermostat according to your fridge's manual specifications. Be sure you check that your condenser coils at the back aren't coated in dust, that air grates aren't blocked inside and that your door's seals are nice and clean.

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