Damn Fridge Freezer

Turn it off and let the tubing defrost from the freezer to the fridge. Check to see where the thermocouple is, and if its damaged. The switch may be frozen over. In my fridge the humidity is so high that some times the moisture collects and freezes on the switch and every thing else behind the plastic covering. The hum you hear my be the fan which circulates the cold air.

Sounds like the defrost cycle heater isn't working.

Defrost cycle? ¿Que? - Guess that's when you switch off, take all the stuff out, leave the door open & point the fan heater in the right direction.

This was the problem in the subzero brand fridge that was in our house when we moved in. By the third service call (warranty or not, we needed a reliable fridge!) we scrapped it out. Who needs a high maintenance fridge? Our problem was compounded by the fact that the compressor was on top, so the water just drained into a pan which hopefully evaporated, often, didn't then spilled out across the floor...

High end fridge, high pain in the...

Sparkster called it right by my experience. As long as the fan is still running.

miles

Dell,

The thermostat may be iced up itself. Let the unit dry out, or take a hair dryer to the thermostat. Try it again after it cools off. If this thermostat has a tube going under a shelf, then you will need to defrost that shelf.

S

Del,

That is a pretty rare failure mode for a thermostat. I hope you will dissect the old one after you have replaced it. When turn it to 0 and you hear the click - does that also stop the compressor?

LG_DAVE

Yeh the actual 'OFF' is off and everything stops...internal light light...BBC1...the M25 the sun everything...it's spooky.

In reply to the other suggestions...
The thermostat is housed behind the internal light and is bone dry/clean.

The fridge is the above the freezer, as I open the door the light/'stat ass'y is top right, the cooler plate is across the back and the left side of that builds up with ice pretty quick.

The drain is clear with no sign of crud.
It's a relatively new but cheap fridge....I spose I could always use it for testing my longbow?

There is a wiring diagram on the back of the fridge...I spose I could empty the damn thing, pull it away from the wall, get my meter out _{(actually it's more like 6" )} and have a proper go at it...except.
a) I'm a lazy git.
b) The wiring is rather tight around the 'stat and rather inaccesible.
c) I've got other fun stuff to do.
d) At least it's cold inside so it's not urgent...

If only it had an indicator light showing when the pump is running it would help...I s'pose I could plug it into one of those power consumption measuring plug doodabs which are all the rage .... that'd show if it is going on/off.

S'pose I could always just make a clicking noise myself as I turn the 'stat up and down and pretend it's ok? Or should I could just hum intermittently whilst in the kitchen.

I'll ponder some more over tea and toast.

Del

Don't wait too long to resolve it, the access of cold air from your freezer to fridge might eventually freeze up and your refrigerator will warn up even though your freezer is cold.

I have to pull mine out one a year and vaccum out the dust from arounf the fan and evaporator ir it does the same thing.

My next door neighbor had the same issue so he emptied the fridge and turned it upside down with the power off for 2 days and all is normal.

There is a capillary between the thermostat and the internal temperature patron. If this is broken that can result the effect.

I suspect you are right...a new thermostat is only about £13...
I shall probably order one...

Del

Sounds like a bad defrost timer. That is usually the cause of icing in modern freezers.

Older freezers just kept cooling so when you open the door moisture enters the freezer and freezes. Modern freezers go through a defrost cycle to prevent ice build up.

Travis

Travis said " Sounds like a bad defrost timer "

Agreed

Most all of these have timers that are located near the compressor on the back of the fridge. All that I have seen have a screw slot on the shaft that allows you to advance the timer. Pull the fridge away from the wall - get a flashlight and it should be easy to find. It will probably have 2 heavy wires that can be traced to the compressor and a few thinner wires that power the timer and trigger the defrost heaters on and off. Advance the timer by turning the screw ... slowly until you hear the compressor cut out. Leave it off for 30 minutes or so then turn it until the compressor comes on. Check the drip pan - if you have water in it you know that the heaters are OK. I would then cycle the timer a few times. If you are lucky the timer may just be "stuck" and will resume running. I had one like this years ago and it ran fine until I replaced the fridge. Be aware that the timer can also get stuck in the compressor off position and this would not be good if you were away from home for a few days. The timer is easy to replace if it is burnt out. Ed

I shall have a look...I'm not sure how that explains the compressor running non-stop tho'. Surely the thermostat should stop it at some point, else there's no point it being there!
Unless it's maybe one of KrisDel^TM's range of 'decrotive thermostats' suitable for evening wear

Del

Del,

My experience had been that the compresssor ran all the time. The iced up condition prevented proper airflow and the thermostat's set point was never reached - this was further compounded by me lowering the 'stat because the temp didn't seem quite "right". Depending where in it's cycle the timer gets stuck or dies will determine what happens. The worst case senario being compressor off and defrost heaters on. Best of luck to you. Ed

Didn't see this mentioned . . .

When Freon gets low, it's not uncommon for the evaporator and tubing to freeze up (e.g. ice up when parts are exposed to humid air, and in summers around where I live, every time the door is opened, the inside of the frige is exposed to humid air) all the way back to the compressor. When this happens, the ice virtually insulates the evaporator and everything else. Messy. Got to melt everything off and start over.

While everything is warm and fuzzy, check the refrigerant level.

In the past I have had my fridge ice up even when set to the warmest setting. What seemed to cause it was having too many things stored in it for extended periods of time. I think that the cold retained by the items was causing the freeze up. Not sure why or how but reducing the amount of stuff, bottled water mostly, fixed it. Cheaper than a thermostat to try.

Del,

It sounds to me like your system is low on gas. Not completely empty, just enough to freeze the thermostat open (because of low liquid level; it tends to vapourise too close to the orifice, freezing it up.

The new range of freezers have attachments to recharge them, however some of the old gases are now illegal or impossible to get due to the big kitty litter hole over the antarctic.

Of course the thermostat might also be just plain stuffed or you live in a very very humid area but i'd go low gas first!

I had the identical problem with my fridge a few years back. I agree with your analysis about the thermostat. I replaced the thermostat on mine and it has been running fine ever since.

On my fridge, turning the thermostat down to lower numbers makes it run longer and keep the box colder...

I would take into the backyard and use your crossbow, Like you did with your video player.

Has the door fallen off ? That would keep it running (until the house and fridge reached equilibrium. Maybe - I dunno). Just to be safe, I've parked mine in the main living room so I can keep an eye on it where I'm nice and warm.

Del

Does the freezer section have its own temperature control?

If it is maxed out it will keep the compressor on all the time.

Does the freezer section have its own temperature control?

No.

I E-mailed Fridgeshop for some advice as they do a thermostat for about £15, they said it could well be the 'stat from the symptoms as described, so I ordered one.
I'll let you guys know if it cures the problem... (next week..)

Del

Yes, I think you could reasonably do that now. This thread has explored in depth every possibility except a change in the laws of thermodynamics http://curezone.com/ig/i.asp?i=26152

Hello again, Del the cat

<"....As I turn the thermostat I don't here a click at all*, and the damn thing sounds like it is running non stop (if I put my ear to it I hear the humming). I've never met a thermostat which failed in this mode before?....">

Your above statement made in the Original Post, states the thermostat "sounds like it is running non-stop, and (if I put my ear to it I hear the humming)".

Does this mean it is the thermostat which is humming?

It would be appreciated if you could advise exactly who or what is doing the humming.

Kind Regards....

That's taking pedantry too far...
C'mon Sparky it's me Del...Whadaya think I mean?

The compressor/motor is huming..
It would be pretty odd for the 'stat to hum...buzz maybe...and if it did I'd have investimigated.
And also the Dog didn't bark in the night

Del

While you're waiting for the part, why not bypass the stat and see what difference you see/hear. Running constantly but without the hmmmm buzz ?