Refrigerator repair...

[Ichinisan]

IMGUR Album

I don't want to continue being ignorant when it comes to appliance repair. I'd love to repair this refrigerator if it's practical. The previous occupants thought it wasn't working well because his wife kept blocking the vents or something -- but it clearly wasn't working while I barely had anything in the fridge. I unplugged it for a while and plugged it back in, but it still didn't make things even slightly cold. The freezer area was only BARELY cooler than room temperature. Like not enough to even make drinks feel slightly cool. I recall once or twice that the freezer was actually hot compared to the air outside. The dials for the freezer and the refrigerator are both set to "coldest."

I took the back wall out of the freezer and noticed some melted tape stuff and a tiny bit of ice on some components above the radiator. The plastic back was cracked. It might look like condensed water droplets in the back, but it's not. Those are blisters in the plastic. I didn't notice the plastic blisters at first, so it's possible they rapidly appeared after I opened everything.

The tiny bit of ice indicates to me that the compressor has *some* functionality. Anyone have a suggestion for what I should check? I have a multimeter.

[edit]

"ATB1832AR"
https://www.google.com/search?q=ATB1832AR

"ATB1832ARQ"
https://www.google.com/search?q=ATB1832ARQ

Search results mention "Amana," which might have been the name on the emblem on the front (the letters are missing and the outline is not familiar).

 

[PowerEngineer]

I have never tackled refrigerator repair myself, but might be tempted if I thought that the problem was limited to the electrical controls or sensors. What is not clear to me from your pictures is whether or not the coolant lines are intact. If the coolant has escaped then I would raise my white flag.

 

[NutBucket]

That looks like the expansion valve. If the compressor kicks on and the refrigerant lines do not immediately go hot and cold just junk it. Chances are the repair isn't worth the cost. Certainly beyond any DIY job.

In my experience, it's usually things like evaporator fans and electronics that fail. I don't think that's the case here.

 

[Micrornd]

How about a make and model #
It should be on the label on the upper left front on the inside.
I see the connector, but I don't see the evaporator fan.
Is it attached to the cover you removed?

 

[Ichinisan]

How about a make and model #
It should be on the label on the upper left front on the inside.

The model number is in the IMGUR album. The emblem on the front is missing the letters and I can’t recognize it. Strangely, the labels say “Maytag” but I’m pretty sure that’s not a Maytag logo.

"ATB1832AR"
https://www.google.com/search?q=ATB1832AR

"ATB1832ARQ"
https://www.google.com/search?q=ATB1832ARQ

Search results mention "Amana," which might have been the name on the emblem on the front (the letters are missing and the outline is not familiar).

I see the connector, but I don't see the evaporator fan.
Is it attached to the cover you removed?

Yes. I had to disconnect it so I could pull the back wall out and reveal that stuff. It definitely runs the blower fan (24/7).

Thanks for your help.

 

[Micrornd]

The model number is in the IMGUR album. The emblem on the front is missing the letters and I can’t recognize it. Strangely, the labels say “Maytag” but I’m pretty sure that’s not a Maytag logo.

That's because it is an Amana, whom Maytag also makes.
(My bad, I didn't click on the album)
It sounds as though the problem may be compressor related.
Here's a service manual you can use to check and troubleshoot -
https://applianceassistant.com/Serv...oot_top_mount_refrigerator_service_manual.pdf

Since it is broken, you can't hurt anything (but yourself, if you are not careful) and it would make a good learning experience.

 

[olds]

Not a whole lot a DIYer can do if you can't evacuate the system and charge it.
If it has a defrost timer, check to see if it is advancing.

 

[Micrornd]

Not a whole lot a DIYer can do if you can't evacuate the system and charge it.

He may not be able to ultimately fix it, but he can determine what is wrong with it using the service manual troubleshooting, which if I understood his post correctly, was what he wanted to be able to learn to do.

 

[olds]

He may not be able to ultimately fix it, but he can determine what is wrong with it using the service manual troubleshooting, which if I understood his post correctly, was what he wanted to be able to learn to do.

That's why I gave him a troubleshooting tip.

 

[NutBucket]

Step one is always checking if the compressor turns on and the evap coil gets cold.