Why the refrigerator does not turn off: an overview of frequent breakdowns and how to fix them

The refrigerator is the usual equipment, but rather complicated and not insured against breakdowns. Some malfunctions are not immediately noticeable. For example, there are times when the refrigerator does not turn off. The device gives out the necessary amount of cold, the products do not deteriorate, but the engine runs continuously.

You can not leave this situation unattended, it can deteriorate very quickly. We will tell you how to independently cope with a dangerous violation in the work of refrigeration equipment. We will show you how to fix the breakdown and prevent its occurrence in the future.

The reasons for the continuous operation of the refrigerator

Poor operating conditions or incorrect settings often cause the engine to run continuously.

Here are some common mistakes:

• the device is installed in such a way that its rear grill touches the wall or is located almost close to it;
• the refrigerator is too close to a hot radiator or other heating device;
• in the room where the device is located, it is too hot, the requirements of the operating conditions are not met;
• the built-in super-freeze function is enabled, which must be turned off manually or for some reason does not turn off in automatic mode;
• the temperature controller is set to the minimum position, and the surrounding air is too warm.

All these situations are associated with violation of the heat transfer regime.

There must be a ventilation gap between the walls and the cabinet of the refrigerator. Do not install refrigeration equipment near heat generating units, the distance to the radiator should be at least half a meter

The appliance located near the battery does not generate cold. The principle of its operation is based on the fact that it is constantly taking thermal energy inside the refrigerator and transmitting it to the surrounding air.

If the air is too hot, the heat will remain unabsorbed. Refrigerator compressor will continue to work, unsuccessfully trying to reach the temperature set on the thermostat. As a result, the main working body of technology will quickly exhaust its working resource and become unusable.

Moreover, the greater the difference between the temperature inside the refrigerator and outside, the more heat energy needs to be moved, and the more difficult it is for the equipment to achieve the desired performance. For example, in super-freezing mode, heat transfer must be very intense.

If the heat does not have time to leave the refrigerator, the temperature sensors will not fix the cold level set by the program, the command to turn off the compressor will not be received, the equipment will continue to work.

If the compressor engine is running continuously, you need to look for the reasons for the violation of heat transfer between the refrigerator chamber and the surrounding space

There are other possible causes of this kind of breakdown associated with the wear of individual parts of the device. For example, if the integrity of the rubber gasket on the refrigerator door is damaged, this will lead to a violation of the tightness of the interior.

It turns out that the refrigeration equipment removes thermal energy from the chamber, but the heat seeps in through the inconspicuous gaps.

In order to correctly perform some repair operations, for example, refrigerant charge, you need to use diagnostic tools and professional equipment

And although the air inside feels like cold, the sensor receives information that the temperature is not low enough. The compressor continues to run without stopping.

The next reason the refrigerator may function in this way is damage. thermostat of the refrigerator, which transmits incorrect information to the control center. Finally, the compressor itself may wear out and operate with insufficient power, without providing a sufficient decrease in temperature.

Another reason why the refrigerator does not turn off is the leak of freon. The refrigerant in the system acts as a “carrier” of thermal energy.

It absorbs the scattered heat particles inside the refrigerator, then moves it out. If the amount of freon in the system is insufficient, then the cooling speed will slow down, as a result, the refrigerator will work continuously.

The compressor is the main element necessary for the normal operation of the refrigerator. With strong wear, it does not work intensively enough, the device needs to be replaced

Do not wait until the sound of a running engine becomes constant. If the breaks between shutting down and turning on the compressor are noticeably reduced, and the periods of operation have increased, most likely it's time to think about refueling equipment.

Owners of modern refrigerators are somewhat easier to deal with the definition of the problem, if the unit has a built-in self-diagnosis function. Marked codes, which are displayed on the control panel, can report breakdowns.

For a detailed diagnosis of a refrigerator breakdown, you will have to contact an experienced craftsman who has the equipment necessary for such an examination

To decrypt the message, you need to use the instruction manual, where there is detailed information. However, you should not blindly trust this information, sometimes in order to accurately identify not only the problem, but also its cause, you need to conduct a detailed diagnosis of the status of the device.

The control panel of some modern refrigerators reflects not only current information about its condition, but also codes of possible breakdowns

Typically, the compressor’s duty cycle lasts 10-30 minutes, after which the appliance shuts off for about the same time. If in the room where the refrigerator is standing, the temperature has noticeably increased for some time, the operation cycle may be a little longer.

But if the compressor continues to operate in an abnormal mode and after lowering the outside temperature, it is time to start diagnosing the condition of the device.

Ways to fix the situation yourself

To begin with, it is worthwhile to once again get acquainted with the recommendations for operating the refrigerator and check whether the real situation corresponds to what is written in the instructions.

Resolving a Problem by Reshuffling

If there is no gap between the rear grill of the refrigerator and the wall or it is too small, simply move the unit.

If the refrigerator does not turn off, you need to check the thermostat settings. Too low a temperature during hot weather outside can lead to an excessive load on the compressor

The same thing should be done if the refrigerator is too close to a heat source. Most likely, you will have to make a small shift to place the device in a more suitable place. Then you need to check the temperature settings, measure the total temperature in the room, and correct the situation.

If after these simple manipulations the refrigerator began to turn off properly, you need to observe its work. The compressor operating periods should not be too long.

Search for a violation in isolation

If everything is in order with the operating conditions, or if the situation is corrected, and the engine continues to work without stopping, it's time to look for other options.

Deterioration of the gasket on the refrigerator door or its deformation can lead to depressurization and a violation of heat transfer inside the device

First you need to inspect the rubber seal around the perimeter of the refrigerator doors. From time to time, the material could deform and begin to let air through. If the seal looks quite new and flexible, you can look for damage on it. A small hole causes a lot of problems.

Conduct seal replacement not difficult. To do this, you need to purchase a new element, remove the old rubber, clean the base and glue the undamaged gasket using special glue or epoxy. Of course, during operation, the refrigerator must be disconnected from the power supply.

One of the reasons for the depressurization of the refrigerator chamber is the improper installation of the refrigerator doors. This happens due to the inept actions of the master. It still happens, but happens less often, as a result of the use of defective elements.

If the seal is in order, you need to inspect the doors and their mounting locations. Identify and eliminate deficiencies will help the master.

The compressor can work without stopping due to the fact that the contacts of the start relay seem to stick to the connection point, breaking the circuit becomes impossible

Definition of technical malfunctions

Problems often arise due to compressor start relay. This element turns the engine on and off to start the process of circulating refrigerant and cooling the air. Over time, the moving contacts of the device are welded, “sticky” and stop opening.

As a result, the compressor remains energized and continues to operate continuously, regardless of the temperature sensor. To detect the presence of such a breakdown, you need to use an ohmmeter.

Installing a new relay is a difficult operation, it is better for beginners to delegate such repairs to a specialist, so as not to spoil the compressor completely. It is not easy to diagnose a freon leak at home. The refrigerant is odorless and colorless; it simply evaporates into the environment without causing any harm.

Using a soap solution allows you to accurately identify the damage to the refrigeration circuit. To do this, air must be injected into the system under pressure

This video shows a check for freon leakage and diagnostics of the condition of a capillary tube using the BOSCH refrigerator as an example:

Refueling with freon is also better to entrust to a master who has equipment suitable for carrying out this type of work. The leak location is determined by visual inspection of the circuit.

But the damage can be so imperceptible that in order to identify it, you will have to open the refrigeration circuit and merge the remains of freon from it. Then air is pumped into the tubes under pressure.

It should be small so as not to aggravate already existing damage, but at the same time sufficient for a successful diagnosis. A soap solution is applied to the surface of the tubes, which will bubble in places where the tightness is broken.

Air is vented, cracks are sealed, and then refrigerant is poured into the system. In some difficult cases, when it is not possible to restore the tightness of the circuit on site, the refrigerator is taken for repair to a service center.

If the refrigerator works without interruptions due to freon leakage, a special tube will have to be unzipped to charge the system with a new portion of refrigerant

Refrigerator thermostats can have a very different design depending on the model of the refrigerator. If the rod has flown out of the device, simply adjust its position so that the unit starts working normally.

But it also happens that during defrosting water enters the regulator. This leads to the closure of the electrical system, it is necessary to completely replace the thermostat. To perform such work, it is better to invite a wizard who can correctly select the item for replacement.

If the temperature controller in the refrigerator breaks down and cannot be repaired, you will have to install a new element. The easiest way to put in place the fallen stem

A fault in the control module can also be diagnosed only by the master using testing equipment. An experienced refrigerator can fix minor problems right away.

But if the breakdown is complex, for its elimination which may need to be carried out work not at home, but in the service center. For example, for flashing, the electronic control board is removed, repaired in the SC, and then installed in place.

Sometimes the cause of continuous operation of the unit can be a complex clogging of the capillary tube. Usually, to fix this situation, it’s simple enough defrost the refrigerator correctly.

If this measure of results did not produce, the master will have to perform a significant disassembly of the mechanisms. It is often more convenient to do this in a service center, especially since the procedure may be associated with significant moisture and technical pollution.

Replacing a compressor is a complex operation, which is better to entrust to an experienced refrigeration equipment repairman, inept handling can ruin a new expensive unit

It also happens that in order to restore normal operation of the refrigerator, it is necessary to completely replace a worn compressor or engine. This is a complex operation that satisfactorily performed by amateur craftsmen is extremely rare, it is better to call a professional.

Depending on the model of the refrigerator, such a replacement is carried out directly on the spot or at a service center.

Recommendations for effective prevention

In many cases, problems can be avoided by using the refrigerator correctly. Advice to read the instructions before starting operation seems trivial and obvious, but not always respected.

Here are a few more tips to help protect your refrigerator from possible breakdowns:

1. It is necessary to choose the right place for installation at the very beginning and sometimes check the situation for compliance with the instructions, especially if the furniture was rearranged in the room, new heating devices appeared, etc.
2. The refrigerator should not be located where it is intensively exposed to the sun's rays, even if this does not happen all year round, but only in certain months.
3. You should always check how tight the door seal is to the refrigerator body, whether there are any contaminants on it, or if other factors have appeared that could cause it to become damaged or deformed.
4. There is no need to lean on the door or otherwise influence it, so as not to damage the integrity of the fasteners or damage the gasket.
5. Do not store too many foods in the refrigerator, as this can lead to impaired air exchange.
6. It is not recommended to install any heavy objects or household appliances on the top panel of the device.

Defrosting rules are also described in detail in the instructions. This event is even needed models with the “No Frost” system. Unless otherwise specified in the instructions, defrosting should be carried out at least once every six months. During the summer, additional treatments may be required.

After defrosting, the refrigerator must be disinfected with a solution of soda or alcohol, and then thoroughly wiped dry to prevent possible breakdowns in the future

After all the ice has melted, you should thoroughly wipe all the surfaces so that they are dry. Do not interfere with this before disinfection. To do this, the walls of the chamber and the door are wiped with soda or alcohol solution. Before you leave, you also need to defrost the refrigerator and preserve it properly for the duration of your absence.

The door of the disconnected appliance should be left open. Some simply stick something between the cabinet and the door to create a gap, but this is not the right strategy.

This can seriously damage the seal, which will then have to be completely replaced. To prevent unpleasant odors in the refrigerator, you can leave an odor absorber inside or an open container of soda.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

About why the compressor does not turn off, and diagnostic methods are described in detail here:

You can not ignore the situation when the refrigerator stopped turning off. As soon as too small interruptions in the compressor work become noticeable, you immediately need to look for problems and try to eliminate them or call the wizard.

Subject to operating conditions, the probability of such damage will be minimal.

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