GE Refrigerator GFSF6KEXCWW not working

[domr]

Well its been exactly 5 years and our GE refrigerator stopped working.  The temps are now 60 and 45.  It sounds like the fan is running so it must be either the start relay or the motherboard.   Where and how do I check these?  Could it just be dirty and need to be cleaned?   I took the back off and I believe the condenser is running.  It is vibrating and warm to the touch.  I am at a loss of what to do.

[lvasquez11]

Need to check for any frost pattern on freezer evaporator.  Voltage check at compressor

[domr]

Since there are 3 pins.  Where do I check the voltage?  

I checked the resistance of the compressor .010/.003/.012 ohms.  Shouldn't 2 of the readings be lower than the third?

I also checked the PTC, no rattle or burnt smell, resistance across the terminals was 1.15 ohms.  

[domr]

Last bit of info.  Evaporator fan is running but the evaporator is not cold.  

[vee8power]

So the compressor isn't running; is that right?

[domr]

compressor is running.

 

[vee8power]

Any frost on either evaporator?

[domr]

none.  The evaporator is room temp.

 

[vee8power]

If you're certain the compressor is running and neither evaporator has any frost, then there's a seal system issue.  If that's the case, a new fridge is your best bet.

[DurhamAppliance]

Agreed,  and your pin tests seems to confirm it. 

[BrewHobbyTech]

On 7/24/2016 at 4:58 PM, vee8power said:

If you're certain the compressor is running and neither evaporator has any frost, then there's a seal system issue.  If that's the case, a new fridge is your best bet.

Depends on what the exact problem is, what someone or some company is estimating the cost of fixing it, and most importantly.....the customer has the final say on what they are willing to pay to have it repaired. I'm only disagreeing with you saying "a new fridge is your best bet", when, for example, depending on what's wrong with it....say it's a restriction or a leak....and can be repaired rather easily.....I may give an estimate of say $250, which is very reasonable.....that gives the customer a very viable option of having it repaired. Just saying........

[vee8power]

I think the issue to be understood here is that it is not common practice for household appliance techs to carry around the tools and recovery equipment necessary to do this job properly. I don't know anybody who taps into a sealed system of a stand alone household refrigerator hoping that the effort will be rewarded by a practical and profitable job. The only scenario I can think of is replacing the filter/drier, no other parts. Recovery, evacuation, and recharging,and brazing in a new one for $250. Then you have to deal with the old refrigerant. It's all a giant PITA. 

If your willing to do this, and you do it properly, I think your service is pretty unique. I didn't know there are people still willing to do that.

Edited August 12, 2016 by vee8power

[BrewHobbyTech]

56 minutes ago, vee8power said:

I think the issue to be understood here is that it is not common practice for household appliance techs to carry around the tools and recovery equipment necessary to do this job properly. I don't know anybody who taps into a sealed system of a stand alone household refrigerator hoping that the effort will be rewarded by a practical and profitable job. The only scenario I can think of is replacing the filter/drier, no other parts. Recovery, evacuation, and recharging,and brazing in a new one for $250. Then you have to deal with the old refrigerant. It's all a giant PITA. 

If your willing to do this, and you do it properly, I think your service is pretty unique. I didn't know there are people still willing to do that.

Yeah, it's definitely a PITA but it is mostly all profit, you're just putting in time. We're dealing with a horrible economy and I have to do what I have to do to pay the bills. I'm an independent, a single owner and work alone and don't pull in enough volume of calls, so a few months ago I had to take a second job. It's my specialty, repairing refrigerators. This guy gets in used and new(er) refrigerators, some brand new and deemed "unrepairable" by the factory, and I repair them. I get $40 per repair, and at least half are system jobs. Getting paid $40 for a compressor job or system repair is pretty bad but I'm learning newer systems such as the LG dual evaporator pieces of crap that not many techs will touch. Learning these newer systems helps me in my own business and I will profit from it. If I can make a profit of $200 for a few hours of work repairing a leak or restriction, it sure beats $40 working for someone else, and it gives the customer a very viable option of having it repaired.