Repair of refrigerators "Atlant": common problems and solutions

Atlant refrigerators are the heirs of the popular Soviet brand Minsk. According to experts and most users, the equipment is not inferior to European counterparts, and even surpasses competitors in terms of price-quality ratio. That's just, like any other technique, they can break.

Of course, you can contact the service center, but you must admit, it’s much cheaper to restore the unit’s performance with your own hands. As practice shows, repairing Atlant refrigerators does not cause any particular difficulties, the main thing is to understand the cause of the breakdown. The article presented by us will render effective assistance in this.

We will talk about the most common breakdowns of Belarusian refrigerators, as well as how to eliminate them. You will also learn about what signs can serve as a reason for contacting a service center. As illustrations, we attached thematic photos and videos with the advice of experienced refrigeration masters.

Features of Atlant refrigerators

Atlant equipment is assembled in Minsk at the plant of the same name. The enterprise is a Soviet pioneer in the production of two-chamber equipment and the introduction of polyurethane foam heat insulation of the case. Belarusian products are delivered to European countries and China.

Refrigerators are in demand among domestic consumers due to a number of advantages:

• competitive cost - the price of units is slightly lower than the goods of European brands;
• energy efficiency;
• practicality and ease of use - a spacious refrigeration compartment, a shelf for bottles, an insert for eggs;
• the ability to independently outweigh the door;
• the presence of an information display with the temperature in the freezer / refrigerator.

An additional plus is the developed network of service centers for servicing Atlant equipment. Equipment warranty - 3 years.

The company's assortment includes 8 series of refrigerators of different configurations: one- and two-chamber, with Fresh or No Frost cooling system, with mechanical or electronic controls. The total number of models is about 100

The design concept is a strict style with a predominance of straight, concise lines. Some users lack trendy models with a streamlined “facade”. The disadvantages include the lack of protection from children and the super-cool zone.

All Atlant models have temperature controllers for choosing a cooling mode, and wheels for convenient movement of the refrigerator

If we talk about the failures of Atlanta, then most often users turn to a service center due to a failure of the mechanical thermostat, a clogged capillary tube and a malfunction of the electronic unit.

In older versions, the evaporator of the freezer is placed openly, so it was often deformed during operation. A scratch caused a refrigerant leak. The manufacturer took this disadvantage into account and in the new refrigerators the evaporator is protected by plastic.

A malfunction of the refrigerator is indicated by a red indicator light at the top of the cabinet. Light bulb “Attention!” lights up in cases when the device is turned on for the first time or after defrosting, as well as in the absence of products in the freezer compartment of a single-compressor device

Minor Problems: Causes and Solutions

Serviceable equipment works without failures, does not create extraneous sounds - the motor does not knock, condensate drain is not heard, and the cabinet body does not vibrate. Malfunctions manifest themselves as a violation of the cooling cycle, the appearance of puddles outside and inside the chamber, the lack of lighting and other signs.

To solve the problem in time, you need to know refrigerator working principle and understand the cause and effect relationships of a particular breakdown. Some malfunctions can be repaired independently.

#1. Vibration during operation

If the device is noisy, then for starters it is necessary to exclude all the minor causes of the "sound effect". In the case when self-diagnostics did not give a result, they will have to call the masters of their service center to repair the Atlant refrigerator.

Humming unit. Possible causes of excessive noise:

• the refrigerator is located very close to walls and furniture - adjacent elements rumble due to motor vibration;
• unit operation with maximum performance - if temperature controller set to the highest value, the load on the motor-compressor increases;
• commissioning - the first week of operation, the unit freezes louder than usual;
• sudden changes in voltage.

A more serious cause of hum is a motor breakdown. Abrasion of rings and pistons is possible.

Knock and vibration. The rattling and slight shaking can be caused by uneven floors, improper placement of dishes inside the refrigerator.

A common cause of knocking is vibration of the compressor housing suspension. Solution: put a piece of rubber under the part and tighten the bolts. The substrate absorbs vibration and reduces rattle

The motor-compressor can also knock if the shock absorbers are loose. To restore quiet operation, just tighten the fasteners. Sometimes noise is made by the tubes on the back of the unit. They cannot be moved, but to reduce knocking, a sealant can be placed under them.

A possible reason for the knock of the new refrigerator is the unreleased transportation fasteners of the electric motor.

If the actions taken did not help to fix the problem, then it is better to invite a wizard from a nearby service center for diagnosis. Metal knock on start / shutdown refrigerator compressor may indicate a breakdown and the need for replacement.

Creak and crackle. These sounds may indicate the following problems:

• deterioration of the electric motor and rapid failure of the part;
• the freezer fan clings to ice - possibly during prolonged use without defrosting.

When the temperature in the kitchen changes, the plastic walls of the chamber may crack slightly - this phenomenon is not critical and does not need to be eliminated. A characteristic creak can be observed with improper installation of the refrigerator.

The recommended distance from the walls to the sides of the device is 25 mm. The clearance from the rear panel of the housing is at least 7-10 cm. This clearance is necessary for normal air circulation in the area of ​​the motor-compressor

Hissing and whistling fridge. These sounds are usually caused by clogging of the capillary tubes or debris on the fan blades. Similar sounds are made by the faulty compressor. To solve each problem requires the help of a wizard.

Short gurgling and howling are sometimes associated with heavy refrigerant movement.

# 2 Inadequate cooling temperature

If you hear the sound of a functioning compressor of the refrigerator, a light is on in the chamber, but the temperature does not drop, then the first thing to do is to eliminate typical operation errors:

1. Incorrect position of the thermostat. Perhaps the handle is set to position “1” - minimum cooling. It is necessary to scroll the thermostat to the desired value, depending on the number of products inside the compartment, the frequency of door opening and indoor temperature.
2. Loose fit of the door. Due to slight distortion or mixing, the chamber is not sealed. The door must be outweighed and after a while check the temperature in the refrigerator compartment.

Failures with temperature also occur for more serious reasons: freon leakage, clogging of the capillary tube or compressor failure.

The above-mentioned failures in single-compressor Atlant models lead to inoperability of the freezer and refrigerator compartment at the same time. Independent cooling circuits are provided in two-compressor units - if one fails, the second continues to work

Insufficient production of cold can be a result of a breakdown of the control board, a defect in the motor or thermostat. Correction of any situation requires the participation of a qualified master.

# 3 The appearance of snow on the inner wall

The formation of a snow or ice crust inside the refrigerator compartment is caused by one of the reasons:

• Incorrect temperature selection
• non-compliance with operating conditions;
• blockage of the drainage tube;
• leakage of working substance in the evaporator;
• temperature sensor failure.

The first three reasons are subject to independent elimination. It is necessary to check the closure density of the refrigerator, change the cooling mode. If the unit operates at maximum productivity on a hot day, then cooling will not stop - the walls do not have time to thaw.

Belarusian models are equipped with a defrost sensor. The item starts to work incorrectly if you put hot pots and containers in the refrigerator. The same effect causes an excessive influx of warm air from the room into the chamber.

When the drainage system is clogged, moisture drops accumulate, and frost freezes on the walls. To fix the problem, it is enough to defrost the refrigerator and clean the drain channel

#4. Water inside the chamber or under the refrigerator

Water can appear under the unit or inside the refrigerator compartment for various reasons.

The most common ones are:

1. Damage to the defrosting system. A malfunction of the heater in the evaporator of the unit with the No Frost function leads to the accumulation of water in the refrigerator.
2. Thermostat malfunctioning. The only correct solution is to contact technical support to replace the structural element.
3. Drainage channel clogging. Water droplets flowing down the inner wall do not find a way out and accumulate at the bottom of the refrigerator compartment.
4. Disconnect the water pipe. The fluid flows directly through the drain hole onto the floor and not into the tank. Resolving the problem - return the drainage circuit to its place.

Periodically it is necessary to check the integrity of the tank itself. Over time, the material will crack and the container will need to be replaced.

Loose adjacency of the door leads to an increase in temperature inside the refrigerator, as a result - the unit begins to freeze more intensively, forming ice on the walls. When warm air enters, the ice thaws - part of the liquid accumulates inside, and part - enters the catchment and quickly overflows the tank.

Solution: adjusting door hinges or leveling the refrigerator. If the steps do not help, then check the quality of the seal and replace the worn part if necessary.

#5. Long work without shutdown

First, you should clarify in the instructions the operating time of the refrigerator without turning off in a certain mode. It is important to consider: the warmer the room, the longer the unit will freeze.

Some Atlant models have a “Quick Freeze” mode - the refrigerator continues to work for 10-12 hours. Moreover, the motor operates continuously until forced shutdown: pressing the switch key.

If the refrigerator has been working for a long time, you must definitely check the position of the “freeze” button. The indicator on the top panel reminds of activation of this mode - as a rule, it glows in yellow

Another probable reason for long-term operation is the improper clamping of the thermostat. In single chamber models and products with an evaporator plate, mounting tubes are provided on the back side. Through them, the thermostat is fixed to the evaporation element.

Over time, the screws rust, the clamp weakens, and the thermostat sensor starts to work incorrectly. Defect repair - restoration of normal fasteners.

Operation without shutdown is also observed when the door is not tightly closed, the seal is worn, or the refrigerator is placed near heating appliances

Things are more complicated if the continuous operation of the device is caused by the following breakdowns:

• contamination of the capillary line;
• refrigerant leak;
• defective temperature control loop or start-up relay.

The listed problems require the involvement of an experienced refrigeration equipment repairman. Restoring performance cannot be delayed, since there is a high risk of motor overheating.

# 6 Lack of lighting in the refrigerator compartment

The common cause of the malfunction is the burnout of the bulb.

The solution to the problem is elementary:

1. Disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply.
2. Remove the lampshade, unscrew the old one and install a new bulb.
3. Replace the cover.

After all the manipulations, you need to connect the refrigerator to power and check that the backlight is working. If the problem is not resolved, then the fault lies in the wiring. For further troubleshooting, it is best to invite a specialist.

Reasons to contact the service center

Diagnostics and repair of refrigeration equipment should definitely be entrusted to the refrigerator if it is necessary to analyze the circuit, check the compressor, thermal relay and the presence of freon. Condition assessment, repair of electrical wiring and electronic control unit - a task for professionals.

Reason # 1. Quick shutdown of the refrigerator

To establish a possible cause of a shortened work cycle, it is necessary to analyze the sound when turning on / off the unit.

The refrigerator worked for several seconds, before the shutdown, a click occurred, and the motor began to work loudly, which means that the compressor or thermal relay is damaged. Violation of the usual intervals of operation is associated with a breakdown of the electronic board or power surges

To diagnose the problem yourself, you can do the following:

1. Check mains voltage.
2. If the indicator is within the normal range, then you need to remove the thermal relay, and then connect the motor directly.
3. If the unit is working properly, then the cause of the shortened cycle is established. The next step is to replace the thermal relay.

If the cyclic nature of the operation is caused by differences in the power supply of the network, the installation of an AC voltage stabilizer is required. More serious failures are rupture of compressor windings or motor jamming. Troubleshooting or a complete change of a defective node will cost a lot.

To replace the start-up and thermal relays, which are a single unit in household refrigerators, it is better to contact the workshop. However, it is quite possible to complete the work yourself, focusing on the information presented in the video:

Reason # 2. Damage to the external and internal temperature regulator

In most Atlant models, the temperature controller is located outside the refrigerator compartment - under the top cover. Element replacement should be entrusted to professionals.

For review, we give the general procedure:

1. Remove the refrigerator door.
2. Remove the plugs on the cover and remove the screws.
3. Remove the top panel.
4. Unscrew the screws that secure the thermostat brackets, remove and replace the element.
5. Reassemble in the reverse order.

In two-chamber versions with an upper freezer, the thermostat is located inside the refrigerator - the bellows tube is attached to the rear wall of the unit.

The failure of the thermostat is a minor breakdown. The wizard will fix the problem at home - you don’t have to deliver the equipment to the service center

Reason # 3. Breakdown of the current to the refrigerator

If even a light touch to the case is accompanied by at least a slight discharge of electricity, then it is highly recommended not to find out the cause and fix the malfunction yourself. The bare wires are likely to come in contact with the metal walls. The refrigerator will identify the damaged area and isolate the problem area.

Reason # 4. Capillary tube clogging and freon leakage

Both malfunctions lead to similar consequences: an increase in temperature inside the refrigerator and continuous operation of the motor-compressor. To establish the exact "diagnosis", the wizard performs diagnostics - opens the system.

If the gas is in sufficient quantity, then the clogging of the capillary pipeline is determined.

Ways to fix the problem:

• punching with a press - oil under pressure acts on a blockage;
• washing with a specialized solution of the type of “liquid desiccant”;
• compressed nitrogen purge;
• complete replacement of the capillary circuit.

If the Atlant refrigerator has stopped cooling and does not work due to a lack of refrigerant, you will need Freon circuit filling, the rules of which are described in detail in our recommended article.

Doing work requires caution and special skills. Of the tools you will need: manometers, a cylinder with freon, hoses. Refueling is carried out in an isolated area, away from heating elements, sources of fire

Freon leaks often occur due to user faults. The most common reason is damage to the channel by sharp mechanical objects when defrosting a freezer or evaporator.

A video will introduce one of the options for determining a breakdown, detecting a leak, a way to fix it and the process of freon injection:

Atlant Fault Codes

In case of malfunction on the display Atlant refrigerator alphanumeric characters are displayed to indicate a problem in a specific unit of the unit.Built-in self-diagnosis is provided in models with an electronic control system.

Decryption of error codes:

• F1 - problems with the transmission of the signal from the temperature sensor - the equipment cannot correctly determine the required power;
• F2 - in models with the Fresh option, the code indicates a breakdown of the evaporator heating controller in the refrigerator compartment, in units with No Frost, a malfunction of the thermostat in the freezer;
• F3 - malfunction of the temperature sensor in the freezer, in refrigerators with No Frost - defects on the defrost circuit;
• F4 / f5 - are highlighted during power surges and disappear after normalization of the network parameters;
• F6 - malfunction of the compressor of the refrigerating chamber, F7 - freezer.

The letter designations H and L characterize critical temperature states. H is too warm in the refrigerator, L is cold. If the icon is displayed for a long time, then it can be regarded as a signal of a malfunction.

Codes E1 / E2 are relevant for modifications with No Frost. Markers indicate problems with the evaporator defrost mechanism. As a rule, this is a breakdown of measuring parts - temperature sensors or defrosts

Common to all types of refrigerators techniques and methods for restoring performance are described in detail in next article, the content of which we recommend to read.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The reviews are provided for general reference, and not as a guide to action. To solve the problems described, a qualified approach is required.

Video courses for beginner home refrigerators:

The lack of cooling in the refrigerating chamber of the two-compressor unit led to the replacement of the compressor:

The developed network of service centers Atlant carries out warranty repairs and after-sales service. Specialists work at home or in a workshop.

If the broken equipment is still under warranty, it is better to contact the technical center right away - independent intervention may become a reason for refusing free repair and replacement of spare parts.

Want to talk about your own experience in restoring the Belarusian refrigerator? Do you have useful information on the topic of the article, which is worth sharing with visitors to the site? Please write comments in the block below, ask questions and post photographs.