Model #ESS25LSNABS, this side by side refrigerator seemed to be making all the normal sounds as usual, but the one thing it wasn't doing was cooling. The customer noticed the freezer side first when the ice all melted, but the refrigerator seemed to be keeping cool for awhile. Then it became obvious that nothing was cold and it was running all the time.



When a refrigerator stops cooling, the cause can be the result of several different components within the unit, but the first step is always to identify the actual problem before proceeding with a diagnosis. Many of these calls are rather general, meaning the reason for the call is a cooling issue. But depending on the actual conditions, such as partial cooling, freezer OK fresh food warm, or even no cooling at all, where we begin our search will change. For example, if the freezer is cooling properly, but the fresh food section is warm, we suspect an airflow or defrost problem. But if we have no cooling at all, it can be as simple as a cold control, or compressor start device to something as complex as a failed compressor. So by determining what is or is not working, we can avoid following a troubleshooting path that leads us in the wrong direction.

As the customer noticed, the unit was not cooling at all, and the warm temperatures in both sides confirmed this when I arrived. With the evaporator fan running, I figured the cold control, or in this case the main board, was trying to cool the unit so it was probably working properly. The logical place to start my search was at the compressor itself by taking some electrical measurements to see if voltage was getting to the compressor.

With everything running, I checked for voltage going to the compressor start device and found no voltage present. While I was there, I did a resistance check of the compressor terminals to verify everything inside the compressor was good. Working backwards to the control board, I went in search of where my voltage was missing and found the problem at the same time.

The unit was in a cooling mode as indicated by both fans running, but in checking for voltage at the high voltage compressor connector on the board, I found no voltage here either. With no voltage coming from the board to power the compressor, the source of the problem has been identified.

A new control board was installed on the back side of this refrigerator and once all the connectors were put back in place, the unit was plugged back in and this time, the fans and compressor came to life. Cold air was quickly circulating from the air inlets so I knew this unit would be ready for food in just a few hours.

Listen to this Post