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Refrigerator troubleshooting quiz


Samurai Appliance Repair Man

2,801 views

Problem statement: Freezer (FC) at 0ºF. Refrigerator (RC) section is warm.

Tech's questions— help a brutha out:

  1. How can we force defrost in the RC compartment? Explain your answer.
  2. How can we make sure the RC fan is running? Explain your answer.
  3. How do we make sure the compressor is running at full speed? Explain your answer.
  4. How do you explain the high temps in the RC? 

(For you computer virgins, you can mouse over the schematic and click for a larger view. In mobile, tap and expand. Apply tech mojo. Figure it out. Whining about image size means you don't have the mojo for this problem to begin with.)

image.png

 

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11 Comments


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FLAppliances

Posted

1. There is no way to do a forced defrost in the FF compartment. Unit schematics show only one defrost heater and an air baffle; this means we’re working with a single evaporator system. 
2. Schematic doesn’t show a FF fan. 
3. This is a single speed (split phase) compressor system. Your compressor is operational seeing that the freezer is at temperature. 

  • Like 7
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Shouldn't be a separate defrost for the FF section, according to the schematic. Same reasons as FLAppliances above.

If tech has had eyes on a FC fan, it could be that he has the wrong schematic. This would also explain 1. and 3. as well.

I don't do a lot of compressor work yet, but I imagine you could measure amps. Either the sticker on the compressor or technical info should list a running amperage.

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  • Team Samurai
Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Posted

On 6/23/2022 at 3:01 AM, FLAppliances said:

1. There is no way to do a forced defrost in the FF compartment. Unit schematics show only one defrost heater and an air baffle; this means we’re working with a single evaporator system. 
2. Schematic doesn’t show a FF fan. 
3. This is a single speed (split phase) compressor system. Your compressor is operational seeing that the freezer is at temperature. 

@FLAppliances sees the matrix… and quaffs a cold one.

 

3A74A7B0-9193-4D47-9558-518E8165E086.gif

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1. We can't as there's no evaporator to be defrosted in the fresh food section. 

2. We can't as there's no fan in the fresh food section.

3. It's a split phase compressor; it either runs or doesn't, there's no variable speed magic happening.

4. My LOI would be the damper as it's likely not opening, preventing cold air from entering the fresh food section.

  • Like 1
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Hey, everyone! This is my first post, so I wanted to begin by thanking my employer for enrolling me in the CART Course, The Samurai for creating it and providing all of these incredible resources, and our body of membership in advance for all I am sure to learn from you guys. This is a second career for me and I’m quite excited 6 months into it. 

Without further ado, here are my almost certainly incorrect answers:

1. We can’t. A quick review of the loads on the wiring diagram tells us there is only one evaporator to defrost, and that it resides in the FC. I do believe you’re on the right track by nosing toward a defrost issue, though  

2. Again, impossible, and again, our wiring diagram proves as much. The only fan inside the cabinet is our FC Evaporator Fan, located (with our evaporator) in the FC. Y’know, the frozen pizza compartment. This is a good load to check, though, considering the customer complaint. 
 

3. I don’t see an inverter on this diagram, so I’d be more inclined to think it’s a single-speed compressor. Also, it doesn’t make sense that we would be having defrost issues AND issues with compressor efficiency. 

4. I’d check for ice buildup on our evaporator (blocking airflow into RC from FC), for a defunct evaporator fan (again, disabling crucial airflow in a single-evap unit), a failed damper (you guessed it - airflow). If it wasn’t these things I’d go deeper. 
 

But, then again, I’m still pretty wet behind my ears. 
 

Tech 29

  • Like 1
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1 hour ago, Tech 29 said:

Hey, everyone! This is my first post, so I wanted to begin by thanking my employer for enrolling me in the CART Course, The Samurai for creating it and providing all of these incredible resources, and our body of membership in advance for all I am sure to learn from you guys. This is a second career for me and I’m quite excited 6 months into it. 

Without further ado, here are my almost certainly incorrect answers:

1. We can’t. A quick review of the loads on the wiring diagram tells us there is only one evaporator to defrost, and that it resides in the FC. I do believe you’re on the right track by nosing toward a defrost issue, though  

2. Again, impossible, and again, our wiring diagram proves as much. The only fan inside the cabinet is our FC Evaporator Fan, located (with our evaporator) in the FC. This is a good load to check, though, considering the customer complaint. 
 

3. I don’t see an inverter on this diagram, so I’d be more inclined to think it’s a single-speed compressor. Also, it doesn’t make sense that we would be having 0F temps in FC, AND issues with compressor efficiency. 

4. I’d check for ice buildup on our evaporator (blocking airflow into RC from FC), for a defunct evaporator fan (again, disabling crucial airflow in a single-evap unit), a failed damper (you guessed it - airflow). If it wasn’t these things I’d go deeper. 
 

But, then again, I’m still pretty wet behind my ears. 
 

Tech 29

Also wanted to add to answer #4:

If there was ice buildup on the evaporator, I’d be checking my defrost circuit more completely than I described in my original answer. Checking resistance of my defrost heater and if it was getting proper voltage, checking my defrost bi-metal to ensure it was testing within spec, and checking my defrost/evaporator fan motor harness for resistance/continuity. I’d also check FC & RC Thermistors to ensure they were testing good. If all of these items tested within spec I’d be looking at the Electronic Control/ACU. 

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Beyond what the others say. Here is what I do.

1. Check for frosted evaporator. 

2. Check Evap fan operation.  

3. If both of those are ok. Check airflow. Check damper first. If open, close freezer door and see if air coming through damper. If not, open freezer door. If air then comes through. Then the return airpath to the freezer is clogged up.

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Rich Armstrong

Posted

I was definitely on track with what would have been my answers. I do have a question tho. What is a Fascia heater? It is in parallel with the Ice maker Fill Tube heater?

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