GE Monogram ZISS480DXASS freezer intermittently warm condenser running hot and often

[K2000]

Hi all, I have a 2008 GE monogram built in fridge. Twice it has failed cooling both refrigerator and freezer in the past few months. Both times the inverter board seemed to be the culprit. However, ever since the newest inverter board was installed, I noticed the compressor running very frequently and seemingly pretty hot. Moreover, the freezer intermittently increases in temperature to about 12 degrees (set at 0). The compressor seems to sound differently than before, but that could be me paying a lot more attention to the sound.  I wonder if the inverter boards are going bad because of the high heat near the compressor? Is this normal? Any thoughts on what to look for? Thanks. 

[16345Ed]

Is condenser fan running?

[K2000]

Yes, condenser fan is operating. Additionally, I noticed a weird grunt/gurgling(?) sound from the freezer side. Almost like something is struggling to start. Again, I’ve been paranoid and listening very closely to fridge - not sure if that’s normal or related. I don’t think it’s the evaporator fan because when I manually switch it on with the door open, that will run.

[K2000]

Side note/question: I called the repair guy that everyone raves about to ask he’d take a look. He doesn’t want to work on monograms and some other LG model (forget which). He said ‘I’m a one man operation and can’t deal with those - too many problems.’ Is this a known crap refrigerator??

[K2000]

Just now, K2000 said:

Side note/question: I called the repair guy that everyone raves about to ask he’d take a look. He doesn’t want to work on monograms and some other LG model (forget which). He said ‘I’m a one man operation and can’t deal with those - too many problems.’ Is this a known crap refrigerator??

(We purchased the house in Aug. Came with this refrigerator…)

[K2000]

A little more contextual info. A repair guy (different one) replaced the inverter board the first time. I replaced the second. First I replaced the main board because I thought ‘it can’t be the inverter, that was just replaced.’ Main board didn’t solve the problem so I called the repair guy. He came out and confirmed it was the inverter but did not have the part. He said he’d reschedule to fix it (part was still under warranty). A couple days go by and I don’t hear anything. I take a look on Amazon and they have the part and it would be at my house in like 2 days. I order it and do the repair myself. I pull out the inverter he put in, and it has a date from 2004 written on it! Another strange thing is that the output voltage frequency spec written on the new part is max 133 Hz, whereas the original is 150 Hz. I’m positive it’s the correct replacement part, confirmed on the Sears parts website and others. So perhaps GE decided to change the max frequency the inverter outputs? Anyway, that’s all probably irrelevant useless info, but for completeness, there you have it.

[K2000]

In the title I meant compressor running hot and often - sorry for the confusion. But I think from the context y’all probably will catch my mistake. 

[16345Ed]

If compressor isn’t running…
 

I’m betting on bad inverter. Amazon part likely China knockoff. Buy OEM part from Appliance Parts Pros or Repair Clinic. 

[K2000]

The compressor is running, constantly. That’s my concern. The inverter board, although purchased from Amazon is an OEM part, with the usual GE packaging. Unless someone went through the trouble of replicating the GE packaging, I’m pretty sure it’s the right part. Same Embraco (not sure of the spelling) company that made the compressor and original inverter board. Brazilian company by the way, but I digress. The compressor is running.

[Vance R]

On 5/20/2021 at 4:58 AM, K2000 said:

Yes, condenser fan is operating.

Follow up question, is the condenser clean? These are hard to inspect and clean. A dirty condenser makes the compressor work very hard and overheat.

[K2000]

I cleaned the condenser as best I could. I can only access one side, and not very easily. Anyway, that side is clean now. I can’t say anything about the other side because it’s impossible to reach as far as I can tell. Any insight into how to readily access the condenser is appreciated.

[Vance R]

I use a 2 gallon shop vacuum to vacuum as much as possible off the outside. Even in a standard refrigerator that is only about 25% of the outside of a barrel condenser. ThenI reverse the airflow of the vacuum and blow out the rest of the dust/ dirt. Be prepared for the dust/ dirt to come out everywhere. also warn your customer. The barrel condenser collects dust/ dirt on the inside of the "cylinder".

[worx appliance service]

it's a sealed system issue..causing long run times and heat..call someone to tap to verify pressures 

[K2000]

Blowing out dust with the shop vac did seem to reduce compressor run time. Thanks!