Fridge Problems: How To Determine The Cause

Most people are quick to call a repairman when fridge problems occur, but being able to spot and diagnose a little problem can save you time and money. Here are a few ways to help you diagnose the most common fridge problems.

My Fridge Is Leaking on the Floor

There are a few things that could be causing your fridge to leak on the floor. If your refrigerator has an ice maker or a water dispenser, it’s possible that those lines may be leaking.  As these lines get older, they are susceptible to cracking and drying out. Another thing to check is the defrost tray underneath the fridge.  If you have moved the fridge around a few times it’s possible that may have cracked or over time could have developed a hole. If your refrigerator has a frost-free feature, water can leak from the back of the unit.

My Fridge Isn’t Getting/Staying Cold

Failure of the frost-free system is the most common problem when the fridge won’t stay cold. Make sure the fan is running, as this circulates the cold air. Check the condenser coils to make sure they aren’t building up with dust. Finally, inspect the seal around the door for cracks, gaps or obstructions that would cause the door to not seal properly.

My Fridge Makes a Loud Bang Every Time It Shuts Off

Chances are your condenser is blown. If a spring inside your compressor breaks or is stretched out, it will hit the outer casing and bangs when it shuts off. Also check for other things such as something stuck behind the fridge, any tubing touching one another, or the condenser fan blades could be hitting something.

My Fridge Won’t Run at All

If your refrigerator is a frost-free model, the most problematic things are the cold control and the defrost timer. You can test the cold control by joining the wires together to bypass the unit. If your refrigerator comes on, the cold control is faulty. Sometimes the defrost timer can get stuck. Turn the timer screw, and if the timer comes back on, replace the timer.

My Fridge Is Getting Hot Around the Edges

Check the condenser coils to make sure they aren’t dirty. Built up dust and sediment can make the tubing hotter than normal. You will need to replace the condenser cooling fan if has started to slow or quit entirely, If your coils are clean and the fan is running properly, check the temperature inside the fridge. If its not running normally and it is warmer inside than usual, that will cause the outside to feel warmer as well.