our fridge stopped working

[Aharami]

fridge just stopped working all of a sudden today. we moved into a condo recently (last sept) and it came with a fridge. Fridge is kinda old...atleast it looks sorta old. Well it was working fine all this time (well not 100% fine since sometimes it would get a bit too cold or too warm in there, but it sorted itself out with some adjustment of the temp control).

Today we noticed that its not cold in there at all and even after I put the temp setting at the coldest, it still wasnt cold in there. So its broken for sure. Now I was thinking of getting a new fridge, but after looking around, realized those suckers are $$$. Our other option I guess would be to call a repairman. But have no clue how much they would charge.

Anyone have any experience with their fridge malfunction like this? Anyone know what might be the root cause of it not staying cold in there? Anyone know how to not get ripped off by the repairman?

Or am I just better off buying a new one?

Thanks in advance

 

[narutofan36]

the cooling device in the back is jammed i think after being moved....

 

[Aharami]

Originally posted by: narutofan36
the cooling device in the back is jammed i think after being moved....

after being moved? what do you mean? fridge came with the condo we purchased

 

[narutofan36]

opps, nvm
i though you moved the fridge to the condo x_X

Im only replying since our fridge jammed before. We had someone fix it though. This was a friend so it was free. He went into the freezer and did a few tricks... and poof, it was fixed

 

[kirkaptain]

Q1: Is the compressor running?

 

[Aharami]

i hear a humming noise. does that mean the compressor is running?

edit, the humming noise is on all the time now. before it would only be on in cycles

 

[zanieladie]

Sometimes the repairs come out to close to the price of a new one. I guess it depends upon the age of the frig.

 

[AlienCraft]

99% of the time, the refrigerators that come with apts are as old as the unit is.
My advice, go buy the biggest ENERGY STAR rated one you can afford and have the store that you buy from remove the old one for you.

 

[kirkaptain]

Yeah, the hum is the compressor. It is on all of the time 'cause you have the thermostat set all the way down.

That rules out the thermostat. It is possible (I suppose) , but unlikely that the compressor motor is running, but the refrigerant is not being compressed.

I find it more likely that you fatigued the metal of the exposed heat-exchanging pipes creating a pinhole leak and causing all of the refrigerant to escape.

I am no expert so this is all conjecture.

EDIT: Oh. re-read OP: you did not move the fridge. It is therfore unlikely that you broke a refrigerant line. Well, could still be a leak of refrigerant.

 

[Killrose]

My fridge here at home is pretty old. I have problems with it from time to time. Try moving the cold temp control from max to min several times to sweep the rehostat coils and also some fridges have a humidity switch inside too, sometimes by the door. Make sure it is not stuck in a center position or something.

If the motor in the compressor comes on, it is trying to do its thing, but they can get pretty hot if left running and not alowed to cycle. And remember, you are workin with AC here, don't fry yourself.

 

[Aharami]

hmm i slid the refrigerator out a little bit and checked the floor, i didnt see any sort of liquid on the floor.

well all the food in there is probably already spoiled...so i guess i shouldnt make any rash decisions. Made an appt with sears online to have technician come check it out. I guess I will wait till they call me and then get back to me with an estimate.

looks like we'll be eating out for the next couple days

 

[kirkaptain]

Originally posted by: Aharami
hmm i slid the refrigerator out a little bit and checked the floor, i didnt see any sort of liquid on the floor.

You wouldn't. your fridge works on the fact that the refrigerant evaporates with great ease. The refrigerant has a boiling point well below 0* C, and a puddle would boil away rapidly. As the refrigerant changes phase from liquid to gas, heat is drawn away (think sweat).

 

[Colt45]

freon is gone.

 

[RCN]

Originally posted by: Aharami
i hear a humming noise. does that mean the compressor is running?

edit, the humming noise is on all the time now. before it would only be on in cycles

Figure about $200 to fix your fridge.

It could be the fan, a cap, the compressor, or a lack of freon................


are the lines on the back frozen?
can you hear/ feel the fan blowing?
how would you describe the "hum"?

 

[Sphexi]

Originally posted by: Colt45
freon is gone.

Very likely this is the problem. It happens, might have to replace the coils in the back if there's a leak, probably not worth it. You can get a decent sized fridge without all the extras for about $300-$400, and it'll probably save you money on your electric bill compared to the old one, so it'll pay for itself over the years.

 

[RCN]

Originally posted by: Sphexi

Originally posted by: Colt45
freon is gone.

Very likely this is the problem. .

Actually it is just as likely if not much more so that a mechanical components has failed.

 

[Pepsei]

3 things, the timer, the thermostat, or the heating rod.

the freezer itself, is it frozen?

 

[Aharami]

no, freezer isnt frozen either. both at room temp by now

 

[Aharami]

Originally posted by: RCN

Originally posted by: Aharami
i hear a humming noise. does that mean the compressor is running?

edit, the humming noise is on all the time now. before it would only be on in cycles

Figure about $200 to fix your fridge.

It could be the fan, a cap, the compressor, or a lack of freon................


are the lines on the back frozen?
can you hear/ feel the fan blowing?
how would you describe the "hum"?

if its $200 to fix, i might as well get a new one

 

[mrrman]

my friend just went through something similar....his hot water tank blew, his stove then went and last night his washer quit working...things come in 3's

 

[homestarmy]

Search for my thread about my problem with my fridge here on ATOT.

 

[IGBT]

Originally posted by: homestarmy
Search for my thread about my problem with my fridge here on ATOT.

..may have a bunch of dust and lint on coils on the back side of the unit. spin it around and take a look.

 

[bctbct]

If the freon leaked you would probably have some oil on the ground.

I had an upright freezer that did the same thing. I had it repaired for about $75.

I forget the exact details but the compressor did not work properly so they installed a device that "kick started" the compressor. Still works today...7-8 years later.