Frigidaire Mod FRA182MT2 Themostat engagement issue

[pjw73nh]

 

I have a two year old Frigidaire 220V window AC unit.  The Tstat  operation is getting progressively worse. 

 

Since I purchased it, it has never engaged the compressor earlier than about "4:00 or 4:30" on the knob position.  End of travel is around "5:00"

 

I have found that in order to get the compressor to turn on, I have to put the Tstat knob almost all the way clockwise to the stop.  Naturally, the cooler the ambient temp, the further I have to turn it to get it to switch the compressor on.  I am pretty sure it's getting worse as time goes on.

 

Last night it was to the point where I had to use a hair dryer for 20-30 seconds on the Tstat capillary sensor/bulb to get the compressor to turn on. Once it was on, it stayed on long enough to cool the room down.

 

I am in the 2-5 year warranty period, but I think that only covers the sealed parts of the system.  I don't think it covers the tstat.

 

Is there any kind of adjustment on the Tstat, or can I reposition the sensor bulb/tube to get better performance?

 

Or is my only recourse to get a new tstat and "hope" it fixes the issue? 

 

Thanks...

[BryanS]

I'd say maybe there is something wrong the switch, but I have no idea. I don't even see a thermostat just sensors. One appears to be a defrost sensor. That's going off of your model with a 0 at the end. Could be wrong schematic

[applianceman18007260692]

I would replace the sensor before thermostat. Unplug the sensor from the board and clean the contacts. Might just be corrosion.

[pjw73nh]

Tnx for the quick replies.  This is what I found under the "parts" listing:

Part number: 5304476897

 

I have not had the unit apart yet.  it appears to be in the temp control itself as once I heat the tube up with the hair dryer, I can "feel" the detent/click in the knob itself when it "makes".

 

Brian, can you point me to the schematic?  Tnx.

 

I tried looking up a manual for it based on the model number, but it comes up with a model that has a digital display and panel.  My unit has no display and two mechanical knobs. One for temp and one for fan/cool -LO-Med-High.

[BryanS]

It was on searspartsdirect.com under the parts breakdown. I looked under your model that ended in 0.

[leamy]

replacing the tstat would be the next step here.

 

the tstat bellows internally is sticking. so it take s longer for the pressure change

within the stat to bump the contacts close.

 

there is a setting screw on the front of the tstat but since there is a mechanical problem

with it your just going to end with a uncalibrated thermastat

try looking up the part using the number off of the casing you may find it cheaper that way.

[applianceman18007260692]

If it has a sensor it be an electronic beast I am thinking. They stopped putting mercury bulb parts on ac's long ago.