Crosley dehumidifier problem

[beerthirty]

Hi guys, I have a Crosley 40 pint dehumidifier (DCW40S) that has stopped working right. The compressor will kick on for just four or five seconds and then shut off for about a minute. It will do this non-stop for as long as the machine is plugged in. The cycle on/off time stays the same regardless of where I set the "humidity level" knob. The fan also runs non-stop as long as the machine is plugged in, regardless of humidity knob position. The fan responds to the high/low knob, high speed on the high setting, low speed on the low setting. The float switch seems to work normally, the light will come on and fan shut off if I raise the float by hand.

When this thing was working normally, if I turned the humidity knob all the way down, it would turn the machine off (no comp or fan). It doesn't do this anymore, still stays on. I believe the knob is attached to the humidistat, does this sound like a bad humidistat? What else would cause the fan to run even with the knob turned all the way down? What would also cause the comp to cycle so much?

 

Ths looks like a fairly simple machine, i don't see any circuit boards. I am a tech at a new car dealer(Ford) so I'm familiar with 5 and 12 volt DC systems only, not 110 AC or household appliances

 

I don't know who made this thing, label says "made in Canada" if that helps. Any help or wiring diagrams appreciated. (If you have any Ford questions I may be able to help)

 

thanks

Steve

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

Classic bad start relay on the compressor as demonstrated in this video:

 

 

 

This replacement start relay and overload kit would probably work fine Part number: AP3083556