Refrigerator Repair -DIY Refrigerator Troubleshooting and Repair-
If you don't know what's wrong with your refrigerator, how can you expect to fix your refrigerator?
Is the freezer cold enough, but the fresh food compartment warming? If there is a noise, is it coming from inside the freezer, behind the refrigerator, or somewhere else? Is there frost forming anywhere out of the ordinary? Take a moment to observe your refrigerators symptoms, it will be well worth your time.
Good Observation Skills Are The Key To Any Successful Refrigerator Repair!
Note: The sealed system of a refrigerator or freezer must be repaired by a licensed professional. It is almost never cost effective to do so out of the warranty period.
Important: do not use an ice pick or anything else to remove ice! Any cut or puncture in the sealed system tubing and you will be shopping for a new refrigerator!! Use warm water in a turkey baster if you are in a hurry.
Additionally, if you are working on a commercial refrigerator, might I suggest consolidatedfoodservice.com as another good troubleshooting resource.
What's Your Refrigerator's Problem?
Freezer compartment is not cold enough.
Question:
Is the back wall of the freezer cold?
Yes:
Do you hear the evaporator fan running or feel air flowing from the rear vents in the freezer? If not you probably are having a problem with the refrigerators evaporator fan. If you do hear the fan and feel air flowing from the freezer vents, you will need to check the evaporator for an even frost pattern and your refrigerator's compressor. More
No:
You will need to pull the refrigerator away from the wall and check the compressor (usually located behind a cardboard or metal panel behind the refrigerator.) More
The freezer temperature is OK but the fresh food compartment of the refrigerator is warming up.
All of the cold generated by a refrigerator comes from the freezer compartment and flows into the fresh food compartment, so most likely you are having an air flow problem. The fan located in the freezer compartment is called the evaporator fan. It is responsible for moving the cool air from the freezer compartment into the fresh food compartment of the refrigerator through a controlled duct called the diffuser. The diffuser is located at the back top center of the fresh food compartment.
Question:
Do you hear the evaporator fan running or feel air flowing from the rear vents in the freezer?
