The American refrigerator works badly or no longer at all, what to do?
Is your American refrigerator no longer working? The causes of this problem can be very diverse. Let’s explore them together from the simplest to the most technical.
THE POTENTIAL CAUSES FOR THIS ISSUE:
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Power supply problem
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Door not closed properly
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Frost formation problem
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Defective defrost element
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Faulty sensor
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Defrost heater out of service
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Inverter card in default
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Faulty control board
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Refrigerant gas problem
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Problem with an evaporator
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Damaged compressor
WARNING
Before carrying out any work on your appliance, be absolutely sure that you first completely disconnect it from the mains electricity supply.
Risk of electric shock.
A power supply problem
Faced with an American fridge that no longer works, the first step is to check that it is well supplied with electricity. If it is properly connected to the electrical network, take the time to plug another device into the same socket concerned to check that it functions. Similarly, check the electrical panel to make sure that the circuit breaker in question is engaged. Be careful, however, if it goes down after a few minutes or hours, and check that you don’t have an element, such as the defrost element or the compressor, becoming grounded (see below).
The American fridge door is not closed properly
Usually when the door is left open for too long, the device will ring after about a minute. However, sometimes the alarm does not go off if a door is not closed properly, but not open enough to trigger the door detection. This happens, for example, if a tray or shelf is incorrectly positioned or because of stored food that blocks the door from closing completely. In this case, you will not be notified and ambient air will enter the refrigerator or freezer. Replacing the shelves correctly or arranging the foodstuffs better should help to reseal the fridge.
Excess frost forms in the refrigeration unit
Even if your American fridge has an automatic defrost setting, misuse can lead to the formation of excess frost. For example, if food clogs the air outlets at the bottom of the freezer, your appliance will not be properly ventilated and an ice plug may appear. In addition, this may block the drainage of water and cause overflow during automatic defrosting. You will then have ice form under the bottom tray of the freezer. A simple defrost for 24 to 48 hours and better organization of food storage should solve this problem.
The defrost element is defective
If the ice returns quickly after defrosting, this indicates a more serious problem. First check the defrost element / heating coil as well as the flow control element if your device is equipped with it. Defrost again before dismantling to avoid breaking any elements caught in the ice. If ice comes out of the crankcase and blocks your fan, start by checking the defrost element located on the evaporator in the center of your US fridge.
On the other hand, if ice tends to accumulate on the ground, it is the flow element that will have to be controlled. This is located at the bottom of the device. Test the elements involved using a multimeter set to the ohmmeter position. You should find a value between approximately 20 and 60 Ohms. If no value is displayed, this indicates that the part is not functioning correctly and will need to be replaced. Displaying a good value confirms that it is functional.
Purchase a heating coil for your fridge
The sensor does not work properly
The sensors are used to regulate the temperature in the different compartments of your American fridge. They operate within a specific temperature range defined by the manufacturer. Their role is to read the temperature and then transmit the result to an electronic card. These sensors are essential for maintaining the right temperature in your device. A faulty temperature sensor can send out the wrong information and disrupt cold production.
Purchase a sensor for your fridge
Defrost heater is out of order
The defrost heater is used to cut off the power supply to the defrost element at a certain temperature. If this part is faulty, the heating coil will no longer function properly and your appliance may be frozen.
The inverter board is faulty
The inverter board is used to regulate the operation of the compressor, basically it’s speed. Without it, the engine won’t start and your device won’t produce cold. If the compressor stops starting and the other elements are functional, it is possible that it is faulty. It will then be necessary to replace it so that your device regains its functionality.
The control board is faulty
The control board is the brain of your kitchen appliance. When it is defective, it disrupts all the functions of the fridge. It is the last part to be replaced on an American refrigerator before being forced to call in a refrigeration specialist. It is quite an expensive part. Therefore, only consider replacing it after you have checked that all the previous elements are not functioning correctly.
A refrigerant gas circuit leak
Your refrigerator needs a certain amount of gas to work. The circuit may be airtight, but it sometimes happens that it is pierced. The gas will then gradually escape and the device will produce less and less cold. If you have checked all your elements and the temperature is gradually rising, you probably have a fault in the gas circuit. In this case, you will have no choice but to call a refrigeration technician.
A problem with one of the evaporators
Your device is equipped with two evaporators. To send the gas to the right side, the manufacturer has provided a valve. If the valve is blocked, unfortunately, you will no longer have cold in one of the two sides of the appliance and its replacement will then be inevitable. However, you will not be able to change it yourself because it requires an opening of the refrigeration circuit and you will have no choice but to call a refrigeration technician.
The compressor is damaged
The compressor is the engine of your refrigeration unit. If it does not work properly, the device will not be able to produce cold. It is equipped with pistons that need oil to operate. Unfortunately, due to a lack of gas, oil can escape into the circuit and cause the pistons to become blocked. This will put the compressor out of order and you will have no choice but to replace it. This is the most expensive repair and again, you will need to call in a specialist.