The electric got goofy during a storm last week……….the fridge started buzzing.
I followed the buzz to the compressor compartment…replaced the start/relay ……..the thing worked one time and then started buzzing again………
Compressor is next but it costs a couple hundred bucks……I gotta be sure. I know nothing about a fridge, but I’m broke and need to fix it myself………could it be the compressor? If so, is it possible to replace without losing the gas etc.?
Help!
peace…….a great excuse to start a war.
Listeners write in about insulating an attic roof in a balloon-framed house, sizing a new heat-pump system, attaching extension jambs to a window or exterior door, and more.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial NowGet instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
how in the world do you think your gonna do a DIY compressor replacement..??
not to mention .. " without loosing the Gas " ...
Bwaaaaahahaha .....
Hey man...thanks for the advice.......visualize a thumb in your eye
peace.......a great excuse to start a war.
LMAO...
Our craigslist occasionally has a free refrigerator, freecycle frequently. PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Hmmmnnnn .... Thumb in the Eye ....no ...can You ... Braze ..?? have some SilPhos ..??
do you have the right torch ..??
a Nitrogen tank and Purge set-up .??
the Refrigerant must, by Law, be recovered ..do you have a Recovery Machine ..?
do you have the requisite EPA card ..? potential $30,000 fine, ya know
do You have swedging tools ..?
do You have a Vacuum Pump ..??
Refrigeration Gauges ..??
a Micron Gauge ..??couple pounds Refrigerant..??
A Dial-A-Charge ..?I think not .....can you see the " Finger of Love " pointed at You ..??
no you don't get it. I pretty much admitted I was a dope when it comes to refrigeration..........although I've been building houses for over thirty years.The thing is when someone asks for advice you give it to them, not be a smart azz.....although I must admit I've done the same thing myself......so maybe a thumb for both our eyes...........The maytag repairman has the right response...learn from him
waiting on the revolution..............
If it buzzes for a couple of seconds the clicks off for a while(it may be quiet for a minute or so and buzzez again) then buzzes and clicks again, over and over again it could either be the relay/overload device or the compressor.
The relay overload device is really like a starter of a motor and if it tries to start the compressor and it doesn't(hence the buzzing) the overload device kicks out (hence the click) and when the overload device cools down it engages the relay again.
Inside the compressor is a small electric motor which turns a tiny piston pump. If the relay is good but is trying to move a stuck piston you will have buzzes and clicks.
I can't think of anything that would continually buzz. If the overload device was fried closed you would smell something burning. Literally.
And no, there is no way to remove the compressor without letting the gas go. It is wayyyyyyyyyyy cheaper to get a good used fridge than replace a compressor.
roger
roger..thanks. I replaced the starter/relay and it (compressor)turned over just fine, but after it shut down down normaly it wouldn't turn over.It sorta reminds me of my framing compressor when the power source is not quite enough to kick it on..............I don't know our electric has been wierd this summer......the maytag repairman is coming this morning.Thanks for the info........
peace.......a great excuse to start a war.
I'm not sure whether this helps or not but when your refrigerator shuts off it (in most cases) it really can't start again for several minutes . If it did try to start too soon it will buzz and click untill it does start.
The refrigeration compressor is like your framing compressor in that there is high pressure on one side of the pump and lower incoming pressure on the other side. When the compressor stops and tries to start too soon, the piston is trying to push against the high pressure which is still in the head and lines upstream. Over a period of a few minutes the pressure within the comp-lete system equalizes and the piston resistance is low whichenables it to start.
These little pumps are quite weak but cheap to operate not like a framing compressor.
What you might need is a "hard start kit" which is another relay with a heavy duty start capacitor altogether.
ps. I used to be the Maytag repair man
roger
Edited 9/11/2007 9:19 am ET by roger g
No wonder yours was about the clearest, best sounding advice. "ps. I used to be the Maytag repair man"
Sounds like someone else must have drifted over from the HVAC site. (although very correct in what he said)
Check everything else electrical in the house. Surge protectors (even those for phone, DAMHIK), phones, garage doors, and their openers, keypads, etc., X10 switches, faxes, what else did I forget?
What's your insurance deductible?
to be clear: the fridge is still working, but now buzzes? or the fridge is not working and now buzzes?
This is going to sound rediculous but if your broke and want to give it a try it just might be worth a shot.
Un plug the thing.
roll it over so it's standing up side down.
drink a beer.
Roll it back into it's hole
Plug it in.
If this works send me a six pack.
M
------------------
"You cannot work hard enough to make up for a sloppy estimate."
he has to wait a long while for the compressor oil to drain to the bottom of the compressor if he does that...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Check your supply voltage. Side to side and both to ground.
SamT
Do like Tom said and just get a free one from somebody. There are free fridges everyday in craigslist here in Seattle area.
Take the door off the old one, roll it out into the yard, fill with dirt and you have a raised planter box - have a couple like that myself.
It is NOT cost effective to spend anything on a fridge compressor (unless you got one of them humongous 4 door stainless deals)
This one is available today!
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/zip/420206083.html