Amana Fridge not cooling (clicking sound with slight hum)
#1
10-06-09, 03:26 PM
Amana Fridge not cooling (clicking sound with slight hum)
Yesterday it stopped cooling. Can hear an intermittent click every 8-10 seconds every few minutes minutes. Believe it is the capacitor/start relay? trying to turn on the compressor and then stops. Turned off the refrigerator last night, and had a service guy come out this morning. Dang thing worked when we turned it back on, but after it got to the point where the temperature was < 20F in freezer and < 40F it turned off (as I believe it is supposed to). When it turned back on, the clicking sound is happening again, and not cooling...
Is there anything I can do here, or is my fridge most likely toast (is 15 years old I think)? I know it at least works since it worked earlier this morning.
Is there anything I can do here, or is my fridge most likely toast (is 15 years old I think)? I know it at least works since it worked earlier this morning.
#3
10-07-09, 07:18 AM
It may have went into defrost cycle when it shut off, after you ran it for a while, or on thermal overload if internal problem per gdoug. A tech should have know which.
But I have repaired several fridges now with your symptom, where the relay-overload-run capacitor unit just needed replacing - with no future call backs/no more clicking thereafter.
Your call as to whether or not to take the gamble and buy the parts, save the service call fee, and try the new parts that will only cost you, from an appliance parts store, what the service call would.
IF that does not fix it, then you know it is something major for which another return trip from a tech may lead to his/her advice to repalce the unit or spend $150 on up for recharge, leak search and repair, or comrpressor replacement and recharge costs which can cost hundreds! Therefore, you do not call the tech and just eat the relay replacement cost, and replace the fridge. That is what many people choose to do, anyway. Your call.
But I have repaired several fridges now with your symptom, where the relay-overload-run capacitor unit just needed replacing - with no future call backs/no more clicking thereafter.
Your call as to whether or not to take the gamble and buy the parts, save the service call fee, and try the new parts that will only cost you, from an appliance parts store, what the service call would.
IF that does not fix it, then you know it is something major for which another return trip from a tech may lead to his/her advice to repalce the unit or spend $150 on up for recharge, leak search and repair, or comrpressor replacement and recharge costs which can cost hundreds! Therefore, you do not call the tech and just eat the relay replacement cost, and replace the fridge. That is what many people choose to do, anyway. Your call.
#4
10-07-09, 08:19 AM
Last night I felt the compressor and it was fairly hot even after being off for hours. Tried turning on again this morning and it did the clicking a couple of times, and then the thing turned on and is now cooling. Thought maybe it was overheated as I've heard of other people that leave it off overnight and then they are able to get it to work in the morning (after it cooled). If it were the relay does it make sense that it seems to work if the compressor is cool when starting? Wife is on me about getting a new fridge, and may have to appease and go out and buy one today if I can't figure this out.
Anyone know how old an Amana SZD25NE is? (mid 90s?) Google doesn't provide me any usefull information. I am wondering if it makes sense to replace from a sheer energy use standpoint. I've heard that fridge technology has actually significantly improved in the last 15 years.
Anyone know how old an Amana SZD25NE is? (mid 90s?) Google doesn't provide me any usefull information. I am wondering if it makes sense to replace from a sheer energy use standpoint. I've heard that fridge technology has actually significantly improved in the last 15 years.
#5
10-07-09, 04:22 PM
With a bad relay components, it can start clicking again even after being box fan cooled back there. Done that.
It is hard to say what is up when you have a does-it, doesn't do it, condition like this. It may be laboring because the freon is slightly low. Or it could be the relay. The relay system, if not working the way it should, and keeps cutting out, can cause the compressor to get hot. As can low freon.
If I had to make the decision you are about to make, I'd just see what the relay components cost and then decide whether to take the gamble. Call parts store and ask what the relay and run capaitor cost. Often they are plugged right into the side of the relay. They can tell you all that you need that connects up with the compressor. If you do get the parts, if they are not identical replacement parts, see if they can tell you what needs to hook up to what.
I did not look to see where you live. Make sure hot coils are clean. And the freezer fan can distribute the air to the fridge compartment freely, so that that the compressor does not endlessly run. And that the door seals are good. And that the lightbulb goes off inside. And that hot humid air in your house(if there is that) is not trapped back by the hot coils. You can try pulling out the fridge an inch. Cool down the compressor with a box fan, and start fresh and see what happens
What you are trying to do is eliminate all possible easy to fix causes, of the hot compressor, and clicking, short of calling out a tech to test the line pressures. That is why you are here at DIY.
I'd first ohms test the compressor to make sure it checks out electrically.
It is hard to say what is up when you have a does-it, doesn't do it, condition like this. It may be laboring because the freon is slightly low. Or it could be the relay. The relay system, if not working the way it should, and keeps cutting out, can cause the compressor to get hot. As can low freon.
If I had to make the decision you are about to make, I'd just see what the relay components cost and then decide whether to take the gamble. Call parts store and ask what the relay and run capaitor cost. Often they are plugged right into the side of the relay. They can tell you all that you need that connects up with the compressor. If you do get the parts, if they are not identical replacement parts, see if they can tell you what needs to hook up to what.
I did not look to see where you live. Make sure hot coils are clean. And the freezer fan can distribute the air to the fridge compartment freely, so that that the compressor does not endlessly run. And that the door seals are good. And that the lightbulb goes off inside. And that hot humid air in your house(if there is that) is not trapped back by the hot coils. You can try pulling out the fridge an inch. Cool down the compressor with a box fan, and start fresh and see what happens
What you are trying to do is eliminate all possible easy to fix causes, of the hot compressor, and clicking, short of calling out a tech to test the line pressures. That is why you are here at DIY.
I'd first ohms test the compressor to make sure it checks out electrically.
