Relay is an electrical switch that tells your compressor to turn on or off depending on the temperature inside the unit. The system is simple. There is a temperature sensor in the refrigerator’s chamber, as soon as the temperature in the chamber begins to rise, it sends a signal to the relay… A refrigerator start relay is a device that jump-starts the compressor inside the refrigerator. The meter should indicate a resistance of between 3 and 26 ohms. You can check the serviceability of the compressor of the refrigerator initially by 3 basic parameters. A refrigerator that makes a buzzing or humming sound but doesn’t keep the food cold may have: A blown compressor (big bucks); Or just a bad overload or compressor relay (much cheaper). These components include: the condenser fan, the overload protector, and the compressor relay and motor. The compressor relay can be accessed by removing the terminal cover box. Remove the relay/overload and look at the three pins on the compressor. Luckily, you can easily check the start relay and replace it or you can bypass the refrigerator’s relay system. The solid state relays can be easily tested by removing it from the compressor and shaking it. For those with the guts and determination, here is how to test your refrigerator's compressor relay.Before working on your refrigerator, always unplug the unit or turn off the circuit breaker that powers it.Locate the compressor. It should make a thunka thunka type noise because it has a sliding start switch mount within it. Remove the panel. Another fundamental and simple check is related to the state of the main and auxiliary coils of the compressor. When the refrigerator compressor is on and off and not run properly. Find the panel on the side of the compressor. Now, it will act as an indicator of if the compressor indeed requires a replacement. To check if the relay has continuity, place the two probes of the tester on the two terminals S and M. The reading should be zero. The compressor turns on and off periodically for an effective cooling process, and for this very reason, a relay is used to assist the compressor while functioning. Here we show you how to test you relay on the compressor and for a short in the compressor when the compressor won't come on … Use a flathead screwdriver to remove the one or two screws that are holding the panel on. The start relay is usually mounted to the compressor; it helps kickstart the compressor during the cooling cycle. A start relay is an electrical switch that helps boost the compressor inside the refrigerator. Mostly this cause happens when the compressor is overloaded. Unplug the refrigerator. This step goes without saying, however as the compressor lies deep in the back panel of the refrigerator. Use an ohmmeter set on the lowest scale to check the relay from the two terminals on the front of the case. How to check if the refrigerator compressor is broken? Test a Refrigerator PTC Relay A PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) relay is a starting device for fridge compressors. Magic chef start relay refrigerator dehumidier compressor ptc 68 magic chef lg p6r8mc 1d. It’s normally big and cylindrical and in the rear of the fridge. Since the compressor is a very important part in the refrigeration system, it needs to have a working refrigerator start relay in order to work. Enter the multi-test with a probe on each two terminals s and m. Set or try to zero ohms. Often, the relay can perform poorly if it is very dirty, or if one or more wires have been loosened from repeated wear. 5. In this way the compressor not explode properly and work badly. Beneath the terminal cover is found the compressor relay (labeled "A" below), overload protector (labeled "B") and the electrical terminals of the compressor motor. Locate the starter relay switch and unplug it from the compressor. Return the player and place a probe from terminal s to terminal L. The reading obtained between the Run and Common and the Start and Frequent hooks must be included. If the relay fails, the compressor might not ever turn on! Check the Start Relay. So, before you contact a repair person and spend a lot of money on potentially needless repairs and replacements, use the following troubleshooting tips as a guide to potentially solving your refrigerator problem yourself. This is a video showing you how to install a 3 in 1 start relay. If your fridge compressor runs but will not cool your food, the culprit often turns out to be the fans- either in the evaporator or the condenser- or the evaporator coils. The relationship between the refrigerator relay and compressor is a vital one … Important Safety Measures-. How To Test A Refrigerator Compressor Relay? In the third case, it is the opposite, if there is continuity, there is a problem and the relay needs to be replaced. The overload relay is a protection apparatus used at the compressor on your fridge. If it does not stop the clicking sound, there’s one more thing you can check: The condenser fan. Step by step instructions on how to replace a Compressor Start Relay for LG LFX25971ST Won't start #AP5949339 for Refrigerator made by Kenmore, LG. Step by step instructions on how to replace a Compressor Start Relay for LG LFX25971ST Won't start #AP5949339 for Refrigerator made by Kenmore, LG. Step 2; Find the compressor. Attach the start relay to the compressor at the same point, replace the back panel, and plug the refrigerator back in. Refrigerator compressor trouble shooting: The usual suspects 1. How To Test the Compressor Relay. You can with ease find them in the normal fridge. Before testing a compressor relay, unplug the refrigerator to avoid an electrical shock hazard. This is a small box on the side of the compressor with several wires feeding in and out. Here’s a bunch of other refrigerator repair tips. How to Replace Compressor Start Relay for LG LFX25971ST Won't start #AP5949339. This should stop the refrigerator clicking sound. It is responsible for powering the start winding for a brief moment to help start up the fridge compressor motor. It will be the size and shape of a small ink cartridge you would use in an at-home printer. If the fans are running and your compressor won’t start or if you hear a clicking sound from the unit, check the overload relay for signs of overheating or arcing. For very small class capillary system refrigerator, usually a bar fridge or … After checking the 3 windings combination, you should also check each terminal to chasis. 5. Refrigerator compressor clicks on and off. The refrigerator overload protector testing is very easy using a multi meter, to test your refrigerator thermal overload protector follows the below steps. You have to unplug the part from the compressor. Now, in case the relay fails or burns out, the compressor may fail to kick in, meaning the interior of the cabinet will fail to freeze. You Have To Shake The Switch. A fault in any one of these components can cause the refrigerator to cycle improperly. Then start looking for the starter relay switch. Fridge compressor running but not cooling. If your fridge cannot start there is a high probability that the PTC relay is defective. Here’s the thing though: That clicking noise will still pop up even if the relay system is busted. We had this exact problem with a refrigerator and called Costas Stavrou, our appliance consultant. It tells the compressor when to turn on/off, depending on the need for cool air inside the refrigerator unit. A defective relay will measure zero (0) ohms (shorted) or infinite resistance (open). Step 1; Before working on your fridge, always unplug the device or switch off the circuit breaker that powers it. Locate the compressor's start relay and pull it off the terminals on the side of the compressor. PTC - Compressor starter - Positive Temperature Co-efficient Hey, simplicity works but it has its limits The most cheapest compressor starting device, and can I say it is not a relay , more a resistive switch. They will be located below the panel. Faulty start relay (less likely) If the relay is bad, signals from the thermostat won’t get to the compressor and fan. Before seeking expert help, consider following our guide so you can make your own assessment find out whether your refrigerator compressor is broken. A start relay is an electrical switch which tells the compressor when to turn on or off depending on the requirement of cool air inside the unit. It means the compressor has a start relay problem. The idea being that if the problem is just a bad start relay (very common), this can be repaired easily and inexpensively compared to replacing the entire compressor (or refrigerator). The cable is used to bring the start winding in the circuit before the compressor reaches running speed. Here we show you how to test you relay on the compressor and for a short in the compressor when the compressor won't come on but everything else is running. It specifically produces a clicking noise whenever it tells the compressor to start working. Continued from page 1. When a compressor is bad, the repairs can cost more than what a new appliance would. The refrigerator relay usually works pretty covertly, but it does tend to produce a sound. The thermal overload protector is connected or install near with the starting (PTC relay) with compressor terminals. Remove it and give it a shake. Return or release and after a sound click, the playback must change infinitely if the relay works. This will require using a multimeter on several of the refrigerator's components. The issue may be the compressor relay, which starts the compressor, or another easier (and cheaper) part to fix. (fried) If it sounds like a salt shaker and tiny bits of stuff is coming out of it then it is bad. The cover is held on by tension or with a retaining clip. If the relay stops working, the compressor will also stop. On the ideal side of the compressor, you should see a box with wires coming from it. Refrigerator relay wiring diagram new embraco relay wiring diagram. If the start relay is faulty, you may hear clicking as the compressor turns on and off intermittently. Therefore, knowing how to check the compressor relay of a refrigerator, you can easily repair the device yourself. 4. There will be primary lines that are represented by L1, L2, L3, etc. Power is applied to the compressor motor windings throughout the overload apparatus. How do you check the compressor relay on a refrigerator? Test the continuity of the refrigerator's various components. Check the working parameters of the refrigerator compressor, but this requires some knowledge. Note: This video is intended to give you the general idea of the part replacement procedure. In the first two checks, if there is no continuity, it is necessary to change the relay. Masters call it a ringing. First of all off the refrigerator and plug out the refrigerator supply plug from the outlet, or switch off the double pole circuit breaker from which the refrigerator supply plug controlled. In other words, a test by the tester is carried out to examine the winding, in order to detect its damage. Step 1: Unplug the refrigerator. Also, if the compressor uses a capacitor, it must be discharged first to avoid the risk of electrical shock. Hold the relay in your hand, and give it a bit of a shake. How to test a refrigerator’s overload or relay-start capacitor with a multi-meter: Begin by ensuring you have unplugged your refrigerator, and then remove the rear panel. If it rattles, this relay is bad and can be replaced for about $20. If you shake the relay but there is no rattle, chances are fairly good that the relay is good, but your compressor is bad. The compressor relay will go bad over time. If the refrigerator start relay is burned out, then the compressor may not work and the interior will not freeze. If it makes no sound at all it is bad. If the compressor is clicking on and off, or worse, not running at all, check the start relay.