Defective new overload protector & starting PTC relay combo kit

[noobie]

Hello,

My GE fridge model GTE18GTHBRWW compressor failed to start and all trouble shooting searches lead me to believe the starting relay is bad.  Purchased brand new GE Refrigerator TSD COMBO Start Device WR08X22874 and replaced but compressor still failed to start.  Measured ohm resistance reading at pins 5 and 6 on back side of 
the relay (the portion that plugs into compressor) returned no continuity or OL reading on multimeter.  Can someone please confirm if this ohm reading indicates defective PTC relay?  Is there a good method to check and determine if the PTC relay is really bad?  Thank you in advances for your expert insights.

Regards,

Noobie
 

[MrApplianceMatt]

Ok, we need to start at the beginning. What troubleshooting have you done? Are you getting voltage to the start device? If you use the AC voltage setting in the connector for the start device are you getting 120 volts? Have you checked the compressor windings for resistance?   There's no real good way to determine if a start device is good other than by when it's obviously bad. Are you getting the hum-click-cha-cha from the compressor when the unit attempts to energize the compressor?

[Vance R]

1 hour ago, noobie said:

WR08X22874

That start group doesn’t look like a PTC device. It appears to be a solid state start device.

Is 120 vac getting to device ? What is the amp draw when it tries to start?

[noobie]

Thank you for replying.  

Confirmed 120V at the start device.  Condensor fan running normal.  Compressor winding resistance readings normal, common - start 7 ohms, common - run 6 ohms and between start - run about 13 ohms.  Checked all windings to ground returned no continuity.  I don't have amp meter to measure current draw.  Vance R is correct about part being a solid state start device.  Should there be continuity between the start and run pin on the start relay?

[Budget Appliance Repair]

NO, on a solid state TSD start relay device you will NOT have continuity between the start and run terminals, (on a standard PTC start device you will usually read 5 - 6 Ohms between the start and run terminals).

[Vance R]

120 vac to compressor and new start device. Compressor ohmed ok. More than likely a locked compressor.

[Terry Carmen]

20 hours ago, noobie said:

Checked all windings to ground returned no continuity.  I don't have amp meter to measure current draw.

Unless you can measure the current on the start and run windings, you'll just be guessing.

You can pick up a clamp-on ammeter at harbor freight or Walmart .for about $15
 

Edited December 20, 2019 by Terry Carmen

[noobie]

Thank you for the advice.

[noobie]

12 hours ago, Budget Appliance Repair said:

NO, on a solid state TSD start relay device you will NOT have continuity between the start and run terminals, (on a standard PTC start device you will usually read 5 - 6 Ohms between the start and run terminals).

Thank you for your insight.  I found few posts online along with PTC relay checking procedure from the service manual  indicating continuity between start & run windings  that's why I am all confused.  Below is excerp from GE service manual -

Checking PTC Relay
1. Disconnect power to the refrigerator.
2. Remove the combo device from compressor.
3. Place meter on ohm’s scale.
4. Check PTC relay at pins 5 and 6 on back side of 
the relay (the portion that plugs into compressor. 
(Resistance should be approximately 6Ω - 11Ω).
5. If the PTC relay is open, replace the combo 
device.
 

[noobie]

1 hour ago, Vance R said:

120 vac to compressor and new start device. Compressor ohmed ok. More than likely a locked compressor.

Sounds like an expensive repair not worthed the investment.  This is a great forum and thank you all for your insights.

[Dev]

For future reference.. sometimes it can be worth it to try an aftermarket hard start 3 n' 1 style capacitor start/relay/overload combo, but if the compressor is truly locked then it won't help. 

[Hiroshi]

Supco URCO 410 or 810 (810 is smaller hp) is the appliance version of the 3'n1...

[16345Ed]

On 1/2/2020 at 8:46 PM, Dev said:

For future reference.. sometimes it can be worth it to try an aftermarket hard start 3 n' 1 style capacitor start/relay/overload combo, but if the compressor is truly locked then it won't help. 

Just FYI.
 

Some manufacturers such as Frigidaire has issued service bulletin about NOT using hard start devices due to fire hazard. 

[16345Ed]

[Dev]

On 1/9/2020 at 3:02 AM, 16345Ed said:

Just FYI.
 

Some manufacturers such as Frigidaire has issued service bulletin about NOT using hard start devices due to fire hazard. 

Good to know, thanks for pointing this out.