Estimate for fixing a broken fridge?

[Qacer]

So, I need an urgent question answered before I make a decision. My fridge broke over the weekend. Pretty much it stopped cooling. It's still a little bit cool inside, but it doesn't have as much cooling oompf. The freezer is thawed out as well, and the items in the fridge is just slightly cool...not cold.

I called up a local appliance repair company and they're going to charge $70 for the service call, but if I get the fridge fixed, then they'll waive off that fee. My question is: has anyone had a broken fridge repaired before that is similar to my main problem? If so, how much did it cost?

I'm also going to get the ice maker and water dispenser fixed. That problem has been there since last year, but since I didn't really use the water dispenser and the ice maker I didn't bother fixing it. I couldn't get an estimate over the phone, so I'm looking for a ballpark figure to see if it is better to just skip the repair and get a new fridge. If the repair is more than $400, then I'm probably better off buying a new one. The fridge that I have is a GE model. It's about 7+ years old.

 

[slayernine]

Buy a new fridge.

 

[corwin]

 

[Sho'Nuff]

Depends on what is wrong. Most of the new fridges use an automatic defrost mode to keep ice from building up in the ductwork between the refrigerator portion and the freezer compartment. In many cases, that defrost mode is controlled by a single circuit board. If that board blows, you might as well buy a new fridge. That happened to a $1500 GE profile fridge I owned, 1.5 years after I bought it (out of warranty). The cost to repair was ~$900. I said screw it and bought a new fridge (not a GE).

Samsung is a good brand, if you decide to go the new route.

 

[mvbighead]

Did you check for dust in the coils? Generally underneath, they can get rather dusty. If you aren't keeping that clean, that can cause some problems.

As for getting it fixed, you can spend the money to have it checked out, or just buy a new one. Just know that you'll eat that $70 cost if it winds up being really expensive, which comes out of your next fridge.

 

[NoCreativity]

Have you googled your model number? Might find a list of common issues and approximate cost to fix.

 

[FoBoT]

how much did this 7+ year old appliance cost you originally?
if it was < ~$700 , then i'd just get a new one
if it was > $1000 , then i'd probably pay the $70 to get an estimate

if in between $700-$1000 then i'd ask magic 8 ball what to do

 

[BurnItDwn]

IMO 7 years is pretty new for an appliance... I'd look up the model number and see if other people have similar problems ...

IT could be an electrical issue, it could be a condenser, it could be a fan....

I've had friends/family that had to pay $250 to fix their frige when it went kaput, and I've heard of people that only had to pay for a $40 part ...

 

[BoomerD]

There's no way to give an intelligent estimate for cost on this repair. It could be anything from some small 50 cent part that needs $450 in labor to change, to a $500 compressor that requires $600 in labor and freon.

 

[crashtestdummy]

There's no way to give an intelligent estimate for cost on this repair. It could be anything from some small 50 cent part that needs $450 in labor to change, to a $500 compressor that requires $600 in labor and freon.

Pretty much this. It's worth the $70 for them to take a look at it, though.

 

[Krazy4Real]

Get a new fridge that is not GE.

 

[natto fire]

I don't mean to insult your intelligence OP, but the light is coming on when you open the door/you made sure the breaker wasn't tripped? I am a fixit type person so I would probably attempt to diagnose the problem myself. The question of how much you paid for the fridge initially is a good question. You can find fridges around here on Craigslist for very very cheap, especially if you can live without stainless.

Get a new fridge that is not GE.

Nobody builds them better than these folk:

 

[gooseman]

Sounds exactly like what happened to my fridge about 5 years ago. Mine turned out to be the compressor/condensor and the total to fix it was around 900.00 if I recall correctly.

 

[mvbighead]

Also sounds similar to what happened to my fridge, though my uncle is in the appliance repair business, and knew a guy who works on fridges. He came out, installed something relatively minor, and didn't charge us for the repairs.

My guess is that would've been a repair less than $100 for a regular paying customer. So, it always depends.

FWIW, my fridge is still working 2 years later.

 

[Qacer]

I got the appliance repair guy to come out, and he did an excellent job. He diagnosed and fixed the problem for a total of ~$315. The cheapest, comparable fridge I could find brand new is $750.

My icemaker is still broken, though. But the tech told me that I'm much better off buying the part from GE and installing it myself. If I were to get the part from him, then it would be whatever it cost (~$150) plus labor fees. He said the installation is simple and easy. It looks like I got me a new A-list appliance repair company in my book.

 

[FoBoT]

:thumbsup:

 

[BoomerD]

I got the appliance repair guy to come out, and he did an excellent job. He diagnosed and fixed the problem for a total of ~$315. The cheapest, comparable fridge I could find brand new is $750.

My icemaker is still broken, though. But the tech told me that I'm much better off buying the part from GE and installing it myself. If I were to get the part from him, then it would be whatever it cost (~$150) plus labor fees. He said the installation is simple and easy. It looks like I got me a new A-list appliance repair company in my book.

Good news. Shop the internet for your icemaker. You SHOULD be able to get one for about $100. Installation isn't too bad. I have to replace the one in my 17 year old Amana pretty soon. It still works...but it leaks when it fills, (drip, drip, drip) and turns the ice tub into a solid block in a couple of weeks...