Refrigerator - Compressor runs for just a few seconds then clicks off

[Benoīt Fortin]

Hi,

Since last week, my Hotpoint refrigerator (from 1982) has a problem.
When the compressor starts, it runs for a few secondes (between 0 and
10 secondes) and then goes off. It does that between 1 and 10 times
before it's able to run. When it fails to start, it does a short,
strange noise, something like *TAAAK*

- There is no extension cord, so the voltage should be O.K.
- The condensor coils are clean.
- The freezer fan is working properly.
- There is no condenser fan.
- The compressor is hot, but not VERY hot.

Anyone has an idea?

Thanks a lot,

Benoit

[Greg-EE]

"Benoīt Fortin" <blab...@blablabla.ca> wrote in message
news:jh23ov0f1h13op22f...@4ax.com...

> Hi,
>
> Since last week, my Hotpoint refrigerator (from 1982) has a problem.
>

> Anyone has an idea?
>
> Thanks a lot,
>
> Benoit

Yes it is over twenty years old. It is tired

[Edwin Pawlowski]

"Benoīt Fortin" <blab...@blablabla.ca> wrote in message
news:jh23ov0f1h13op22f...@4ax.com...

> Hi,
>
> Since last week, my Hotpoint refrigerator (from 1982) has a problem.

> - The compressor is hot, but not VERY hot.
>
> Anyone has an idea?

Compressor is seizing up or the bearings in it are. Time to buy a new
fridge. You got very good life from it and to spend money on repairs at
this point would not be a good idea. Anew more efficient fridge will
probably cost about the same as repairing the old one.
Ed

[TURTLE]

"Benoīt Fortin" <blab...@blablabla.ca> wrote in message
news:jh23ov0f1h13op22f...@4ax.com...

This is Turtle.

here is the story.

90% of the time it is the compressor locking up.
9% of the time it is the start relay or needs a hard start kit installed.
If it needs a hardstart kit, your about less than 1 year from death of
compressor.
1% of the time it is the overload is bad.

If you don't have a relationship with the refrigerator, buy a new one for
your odds of fixing it is slim to none. Now i know a lady that loved here
refrigerator so much that she spent $500.00 on compressor and stuff to fix a
$600.00 refrigerator. Don't laugh for people are funny about their
refrigerator and what they will do to keep them.

TURTLE

[jeff]

Benoīt Fortin <blab...@blablabla.ca> wrote in message news:<jh23ov0f1h13op22f...@4ax.com>...

Hi,

> Anyone has an idea?

- compressor drawing too much current
- weak start relay/over load
- short cycling cold control ( doesn't allow the pressures in the
system to equalize before trying to start the compressor again )
- tight/seizing compressor
- low voltage ( I saw the no cord part! :) )

A hard to start relay kit may buy some extra time from the
refrigerator.
http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?a-1appliance+tSwkBf+hs410.html

jeff.

Appliance Repair Aid
http://www.applianceaid.com/

[Benoīt Fortin]

Hi Turtle,

Thanks for the advice.

Do you have any idea of how much time my refrigerator might stay
alive?

Thanks again,

Benoit

On Mon, 6 Oct 2003 14:00:26 -0500, "TURTLE" <tur...@worldnetla.net>
wrote:

>
>"Benoît Fortin" <blab...@blablabla.ca> wrote in message

[Tony Hwang]

Hi,
Maybe, a big maybe your defrost timer caused this?
Check that too see if the contacts are burned open or short.
Tony

[Dan O.]

Benoīt Fortin wrote in message ...

>
>Since last week, my Hotpoint refrigerator (from 1982)
>has a problem. When the compressor starts, it runs for
>a few secondes (between 0 and 10 secondes) and
>then goes off. It does that between 1 and 10 times
>before it's able to run. When it fails to start, it does
>a short, strange noise, something like *TAAAK*

I would say that the compressor is not running at those time just *trying
to* run.

>- There is no extension cord, so the voltage should
>be O.K.

Just because it is not running on an extension cord does not necessarily
mean the voltage is Ok. Never assume....

>- The condensor coils are clean.
>- The freezer fan is working properly.
>- There is no condenser fan.
>

>Anyone has an idea?

It could be the compressor is getting 'tight' with age and now requires a
start assist or 'hard start kit' to get running without problems. It could
also be a problem in the compressor's starting relay and/or overload
protector or in the compressor itself.

It could also be caused by the compressor shutting off and trying to come
back on too soon afterward. A fridge's compressor should be left off for at
least 4-5 minutes before it trying to start back up again.

>- The compressor is hot, but not VERY hot.

As it will if allowed to continually click on and off for any length of
time. To avoid damage to the compressor (if it isn't already the cause),
disconnect power to the unit for 15-20 minutes at the first signs.
Dan O.
-
Appliance411.com
http://ng.Appliance411.com/?ref411=Hotpoint+fridge

=Š~~~~~~

[Stormin Mormon]

I've put a bunch of hard start kits on refrigerators. My supplier has Supco,
and I've had very good rsults with them. This is not the type of repair that
I'd suggest a home owner try, though.

Like Turtle says, you're not sure how long it will last. But I'd guess a
couple more years.

One fellow up here had Sears out, and it was something like $170 for the guy
to put the hard start kit on. They used a Gemline, which failed a couple
months later. I really don't like the entire Sears system. Over priced, and
the repair guys are under too much pressure to slam some part in and dash
off to the next call.

--

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
www.mormons.org
.
.

"Benoīt Fortin" <blab...@blablabla.ca> wrote in message
news:jh23ov0f1h13op22f...@4ax.com...

[Walt Conner]

This is the way ours did. My Sears Techy friend put a hard start kit on our
refrigerator, about 4 years ago, run fine ever since, around $20. Doesn't
look like much of a job. Likely can get part with instructions a local
Refrigerator. Supply Store.

Walt Conner

[Dan O.]

Tony Hwang wrote in message ...

>
>Maybe, a big maybe your defrost timer caused this?

JFYI. A defrost timer will either switch power to the compressor or defrost
heater. If the compressor is clicking, the timer must be giving power to it
so it is doing its job.

You can read how a frost free refrigerator's defrost system works at the
following link:
http://ng.appliance411.com/links/jump.cgi?ID=658

Dan O.
-
Appliance411.com
http://ng.Appliance411.com/?ref411=Hotpoint+fridge

=Š~~~~~~

>Benoīt Fortin wrote:
>
>> Hi Turtle,
>>
>> Thanks for the advice.
>>
>> Do you have any idea of how much time my refrigerator might stay
>> alive?
>>
>> Thanks again,
>>
>> Benoit
>>
>> On Mon, 6 Oct 2003 14:00:26 -0500, "TURTLE" <tur...@worldnetla.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>>

>>>"Benoīt Fortin" <blab...@blablabla.ca> wrote in message

[servic...@hotpoint.co.ke]

compressor gets very hot

--


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[Stormin Mormon]

On 11/25/2014 7:16 AM, servic...@hotpoint.co.ke wrote:
> compressor gets very hot
>

Your father and I are very proud of you.

You are allowed to ask questions on this
list.

--
.
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
.

[nelli...@gmail.com]

thank Dan, worked for me

[senfukas...@gmail.com]

Good evening . I have my refrigerator ,it has worked for 10years but it started not cooling and I called the repairman and told me to buy a compressor.. We replaced the compressor and the refrigerator worked again for a month but now the compressor switches its for 10secondss and then goes off completely without coming on back and then starts heating up . Is that the compressor is faulty again. Coz its not cooling condenser fins clean , waterdrain clean , fans running. any one with any ideas

[trader_4]

On Sunday, February 25, 2018 at 9:18:37 AM UTC-5, senfukas...@gmail.com wrote:
> Good evening . I have my refrigerator ,it has worked for 10years but it started not cooling and I called the repairman and told me to buy a compressor.. We replaced the compressor and the refrigerator worked again for a month but now the compressor switches its for 10secondss and then goes off completely without coming on back and then starts heating up . Is that the compressor is faulty again. Coz its not cooling condenser fins clean , waterdrain clean , fans running. any one with any ideas

That's why unless it's an expensive fridge it's usually not worth trying
to fix them when they are 10+ years old and have a major failure.
It's possible it has other
problems, like the old compressor failed and left debris in the system
that wasn't properly cleaned out when the new one was put it. Or it
could be that the new compressor was bad. What does the repairman say
and did you get any kind of warranty?

[(PeteCresswell)]

Per senfukas...@gmail.com:

>condenser fins clean , waterdrain clean , fans running. any one with any ideas

And it does not need defrosting, right?

i.e. the evaporator area is not iced up....

I know next to nothing about this stuff, but I just went through a couple
iterations of not cooling with my 20-30 year old 'fridge and it turned out
that the auto-defrosting heaters were not working (bad thermostat and/or
blown heater(s))... so defrosting would make it work for a certain period of
time until it iced up again... Replaced the auto-defrost heaters/thermostat
and now it seems happy again.

--
Pete Cresswell

[taqur...@gmail.com]

Any answer

[Uncle Monster]

On Sunday, February 25, 2018 at 8:18:37 AM UTC-6, senfukas...@gmail.com wrote:
> Good evening . I have my refrigerator ,it has worked for 10years but it started not cooling and I called the repairman and told me to buy a compressor.. We replaced the compressor and the refrigerator worked again for a month but now the compressor switches its for 10secondss and then goes off completely without coming on back and then starts heating up . Is that the compressor is faulty again. Coz its not cooling condenser fins clean , waterdrain clean , fans running. any one with any ideas

Did your repairman install a new filter/dryer in the high-side refrigeration line? Even pulling a deep vacuum may not be enough with a refrigerator. You need a new liquid line filter/dryer to capture any moisture that might be left hiding in the system. ^_^

[=8~{} Uncle Frozen Monster

[Morph]

On Sunday, February 25, 2018 at 8:18:37 AM UTC-6,senfukas...@gmail.com wrote:

> Good evening . I have my refrigerator ,it has worked for 10years but it started not cooling and I called the repairman and told me to buy a compressor.. We replaced the compressor and the refrigerator worked again for a month but now the compressor switches its for 10secondss and then goes off completely without coming on back and then starts heating up . Is that the compressor is faulty again. Coz its not cooling condenser fins clean , waterdrain clean , fans running. any one with any ideas

Your not-so-great outcome is why I'd never even consider replacing the compressor on a 10 year-old refrigerator.  Yes, a successful compressor transplant by a skilled tech is possible but considering the declining skills of the typical appliance repair
person, it's not a gamble I'm willing to take.

In my opinion, if the compressor pukes after the full 100% parts and labor warranty has expired and I have to start writing checks, it's time to head to McLowesDepot to buy a new frige.

[Uncle Monster]

When I was working, I replaced a lot of compressors. The trick to repairing a home refrigerator so it will run for another 30 years is cleanliness. When I replaced a compressor in one, I'd blow nitrogen through the lines after removing the bad compressor in order to remove contaminants. Sometimes I'd use a system flush that would clean out the lines really well. Plenty of nitrogen was used to assure a contaminant-free system. I always installed a new liquid line filter/dryer when replacing a compressor. After that, I'd hook up my vacuum pump and pull a really deep vacuum, fill the system with nitrogen and perform a pressure and leak test, let it out then pull another deep vacuum before filling with refrigerant and a shot of system treatment. I had pretty good luck as all of the systems I repaired in the last decade are still running as far as I know because I haven't had any callbacks. ^_^

[8~{} Uncle Fridge Monster

[trader_4]

It also depends on the cost of a replacement. If it's a $700 fridge,
I agree. If it's one that costs $2500 or more then it's another story.
But I do agree that a big problem is whether it's done right or not
and it seems there are more hacks doing shortcuts than ever.

[Ralph Mowery]

In article <742c16d8-8929-4d9b...@googlegroups.com>,
tra...@optonline.net says...

>
> > Your not-so-great outcome is why I'd never even consider replacing the compressor on a 10 year-old refrigerator.  Yes, a successful compressor transplant by a skilled tech is possible but considering the declining skills of the typical appliance repair
> > person, it's not a gamble I'm willing to take.
> >
> > In my opinion, if the compressor pukes after the full 100% parts and labor warranty has expired and I have to start writing checks, it's time to head to McLowesDepot to buy a new frige.
>
> It also depends on the cost of a replacement. If it's a $700 fridge,
> I agree. If it's one that costs $2500 or more then it's another story.
> But I do agree that a big problem is whether it's done right or not
> and it seems there are more hacks doing shortcuts than ever.
>
>

I don't buy the very high price appliances, so just about anytime one of
them quits after a few years it gets replaced. Chances are that if one
part failed it would not be too long after another would fail.

If i was something I could replace myself for a few dolars I would give
it a try,but nothing that costs very much.

[abuelit...@gmail.com]

[sangeeth...@gmail.com]

having the same problem