Fridge Help!

pointer7

Hi Everyone,

I have no idea If this is in the right forum but I am trying to save money with this!

I went to make a cuppa this morning and the milk had gone slightly off only bought it yesterday, Noticed that the fridge is no where near as cold as it should be. The light comes on and it still makes the usual fridge "noises" but doesnt cool anything.

I pulled it out to clean any crap and rubbish behind it, and noticed the compressor (think thats what it is, big black round thing!) was almost too hot to touch, is this normal?

Is has no seperate freezer compartment its just a standard fridge....

Do i need a new one?

Fifer

pointer7 wrote: »

Hi Everyone,

I have no idea If this is in the right forum but I am trying to save money with this!

I went to make a cuppa this morning and the milk had gone slightly off only bought it yesterday, Noticed that the fridge is no where near as cold as it should be. The light comes on and it still makes the usual fridge "noises" but doesnt cool anything.

I pulled it out to clean any crap and rubbish behind it, and noticed the compressor (think thats what it is, big black round thing!) was almost too hot to touch, is this normal?

Is has no seperate freezer compartment its just a standard fridge....

Do i need a new one?

Sounds like either the door has been left slightly ajar all night and the compressor has been working overtime trying (and failing) to keep the entire kitchen cold, or you've lost most of your refrigerant and the compressor is trying to cool the fridge without it (and failing). You can get the refrigerant recharged, but if it has leaked, there's probably an issue so a new fridge will be the simplest bet.

Enterprise_1701C

Have you defrosted it recently?

pointer7

I think it probably has leaked as I could hear the fridge on all night trying to cool it and its no colder!

The door has been closed as the light flicks on when opening the door.

I tried unplugging it and leaving it for 24 hours but that didnt work. Its bone dry inside too, new fridge I think is the way to go!

robmar0se

Most common fault is the thermostat - what happens when you turn down the temp?

pointer7

well the temperature dial makes no difference lol

i have had it on maximum and turned it all the way down then the fridge went off altogether (light went out when door was open) anything higher than 0 then it sparks in to life but doesnt cool

Fifer

If it was a faulty thermostat, the compressor wouldn't come on much if at all.

Figment

pointer7 wrote: »

I think it probably has leaked as I could hear the fridge on all night trying to cool it and its no colder!

The door has been closed as the light flicks on when opening the door.

I tried unplugging it and leaving it for 24 hours but that didnt work. Its bone dry inside too, new fridge I think is the way to go!

Sounds like the compressor has lost it's refrigerant.

Mr_Thrifty

Fifer wrote: »

If it was a faulty thermostat, the compressor wouldn't come on much if at all.

Are you sure? Could it be that when the thermostat fails, the default operation is for the compressor to be running continuously (like a "normally closed" switch)?

Figment

Mr_Thrifty wrote: »

Are you sure? Could it be that when the thermostat fails, the default operation is for the compressor to be running continuously (like a "normally closed" switch)?

Depends if it fails open or closed circuit. Should it fail closed circuit, the compressor would run continually and the fridge would get VERY cold. Open circuit it would not run at all and fridge would come up to around ambient temperature.

Fifer

Mr_Thrifty wrote: »

Are you sure? Could it be that when the thermostat fails, the default operation is for the compressor to be running continuously (like a "normally closed" switch)?

Yes I'm sure. That would cause the fridge to become too cold and ice up.