No matter how well your air filters are working, the fan will eventually pull in dust that can cake on top of the condenser coils. Broken or stuck condenser fan. heat, forming hot gas that later cools and absorbs heat from the freezer If this fan gets filled with dust, dirt, and other debris, it can stop it from working correctly. This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. Refrigerators and freezers can run between 80% and 90% of the time. Where Its Located: It is located between the fresh food compartment and the freezer in your If you notice that the fan and compressor motors are constantly running, this could be a sign that the system is not functioning properly and is struggling to maintain a stable temperature. How to Troubleshoot Refrigerators & Freezers, How to Test a Dryer Door Switch With an Ohmmeter, Troubleshooting a Hood Fan for an Electric Range, Applianttology: Whirlpool ED22CQXHW Refrigerator Wiring Diagram, How to clean a showerhead, according to an expert, The Fan in the Freezer Compartment of the Fridge Is Not Working. If your compressor is hot to the touch, this is an issue you should take very seriously. Most refrigerators will last 10 to 15 years. You can tell that the start relay is bad if the fridge wont cool or the relay makes a clicking noise. Shake the start relay to see if it rattles. Similarly, a defective fan motor bearing might be the cause of the noise. If the condenser fan motor is receiving the correct voltage but the motor still won't run, inspect the capacitor to ensure that it is not at fault. The defrost cycle should start every 12 to 15 hours and use a defrost heater to melt the frost on the coil. A faulty condenser outlet also causes your refrigerator's cooling capability to reduce. coils on the back will not have a fan. The refrigerant is a working fluid that enters the compressor as a pressurized vapor and circulates at or below the inside temperature of the refrigerator. Once a thermostat stops working the fridge never has a sensor to tell it when to turn off, and it will just keep going. If your home runs hot because you have the windows open in the middle of summer time then its very conceivable to think that your condenser will be running much more often to compensate for the higher ambient temperature. Appliance repair is one of many home maintenance solutions available to you through Neighborly. The Fix: First, ensure the condenser fan is spinning freely and not being obstructed It does not store any personal data. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. ; Die_Hard writes: 08.09.2014 at 23:13:49 The right fan for your. This fan draws air through the condenser coils and over the compressor. Make sure that you keep an eye on it for a few hours to ensure that the compressor is working correctly. a professional to handle it. If boxes of food are blocking the vents, cold air can be obstructed from You'll need a multimeter to see if your getting 120 volts to it. The freezer light should turn off and the evaporator fan should kick on after a few seconds. When one of them goes bad, there is a chance that your fridge may not work efficiently and could stop working altogether. While some models may run continuously, others operate intermittentlybased on temperature sensors or user settings. The compressors also make a fan noise when running, refer to Compressor Run Time for more information. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. If your refrigerator compressor is hot because of a leak, lack of refrigerant, or a faulty thermostat, its time to contact a licensed professional. Upon inspection, itwas discovered that the coils were clogged with dust and debris, causingthe fan to work harder than usual. Mr. Appliance is a registered trademark of Mr. Appliance LLC. A common cause of an overheating compressor is the lack of refrigerant. As a refrigeration engineer, I can tell you that it depends on thetype of refrigerator and its design. If the condenser fan Whether the compressor comes on or not is irrelevant; that click will happen no matter what the compressor does. This will keep the fridge running at a cool temperature until you can buy a new start relay and replace the old one. HK Sloan is a freelance writer currently covering DIY Home Improvement, Health, and Lifestyle. If there is no rattling and no obvious damage to the start relay, that is indicative that there is an issue with the compressor itself. It is typical for a refrigerator compressor to run anywhere between 4 to 8 hours straight before shutting off. This fan is called the EVAPORATOR FAN. This will cause your freezer to be cold and will make it hard to open and close it, it will also cause more stress on the motor of the freezer. The condenser fan is responsible for circulating air over the coilsthat release heat from inside the refrigerator to the outsideenvironment through a process called heat transfer. unit instead of always repairing your current one). Defective Condenser Fan Motor: The condenser fan motor is responsible for cooling the compressor and condenser coils. By getting these great appliances, delicious food is now easy to prepare. When the evaporator fan runs only with the condenser, you save up a lot of power. When your fan or fan motor is not working your refrigerator will not cool properly. No, a refrigerator definitely should not be running at 100% capacity for an extended period of time. Remove the electronic control board. Shutting off the power to the refrigerator will give all of its systemsincluding the compressortime to reset. Identifying the various components can be difficult, particularly if you dont know what to look for. evaporator coils. If you feel that things individual components are working properly then you may want to call your local repairman who can further diagnose the problem. circulating through your fridge. Another solution may be toreplace the fan if it has become worn out over time. link to Natural Ways To Keep Mosquitoes From Biting. I have a 14 year old Kitchenaid Superba side by side frig/freezer, model KSCS251. This ensures that different shelves and compartments maintain aneven temperature so that food stays fresh longer. There is only 7.68 kilowatt-hours of power. Insert the fan blades completely and reapply the mounting clip. When ordering the new motor, supply the company with the make and model number . If youve determined that your refrigerator compressor is running a little hotter than it should, but there are no visible signs (like burn marks on your walls), you may have some luck addressing the problem yourself. A refrigerator compressor relay is a protective device that helps get the compressor up to working speed. Does the condenser fan run all the time on a refrigerator? Inmost cases, yes, they do run continuously. the fridge. It is for information purposes only. If the refrigerant has been compromised due to a leak or high temperatures, the compressor will be forced to work extra hard to continue operating. issue. When it comes to reasons why your refrigerator may be running constantly, youll want to check out these 5 items before anything else. So yes, a fully functioning refrigerator compressor should be warm, even hot. Experts suggest that the average run time of a refrigerator is about 30 minutes but this happens when the refrigerator is not opened. If your refrigerator compressor is making a clicking noise, it could be the compressor shutting off as it overheats. This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy a franchise. A working refrigerator compressor will be warm, but should not be excessively hot. Double check the doors and gaskets. The noise should cease after some seconds when the cooling system runs normally. If you notice that the fan and compressor motors are . Most consumer reports advise that the age of your unit and the cost of your repair service are the best indications for when you should replace your refrigerator. Some of these are ones that you probably wouldnt think twice about, but play a big role in your refrigerators performance. It might sound silly but an alarming amount of people are quick to jump . Whenever an electrical current is involved, it only ramps up the potential for danger. Additionally, keeping coils cleanwill improve airflow which leads to better cooling performance. The bad thing is that voltage spikes can be imperceptible. All persons depicted in a photo or video are actors or models and not contractors listed on this site. Locate your thermostat This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The evaporator fan is the part of the fridge that blows the cool air you Finally, cleaningor replacing the filter in your fridge can also help alleviate thisproblem. in place. Not only does the refrigerator unit itself have to get cooled, but so does each and every item in your fridge. 10. If your getting 120 volts to it and its not turning then its bad. Refrigerant may even leak when your condenser outlet is faulty. Once the refrigerant breaks down, it is no longer able to cool your refrigerator to the desired temperature. Regular preventative maintenance is key to avoiding issues like acontinuously running refrigerator fan. I went to install the new fan and discovered the existing fan was a 4 wire and the new part has 4 wires. Though, if this does not correct the problem, the overheating is likely being caused by something else. cooling it, and then pushes the air through the freezer and refrigerator. What are the signs of a bad refrigerator compressor? Just like most appliances in your home, the lifespan of your refrigerator can vary based on several factors. If you suspect that your refrigerators cooling system has stopped working, throw away any compromised food items. So, if your refrigerator compressor is excessively hot, the most common reasons this happens is the cooling system lacks refrigerant, the refrigerators internal temperature is incorrect, the condenser coils are dirty, the condenser fan is broken, theres inadequate ventilation, a bad compressor relay, or you have a faulty auto defrost system. To troubleshoot this issue, there are several steps you can take as ahomeowner or business owner. The freezer temperature should be set between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 to -15C). from cooling. The average refrigerator runs for eight hours a day. Why does my condenser fan keep running? and effectively Leave the unit unplugged for five to ten minutes. Is involved, it could be the cause of an offer to buy a franchise so that food stays longer... Make a fan the relay makes a clicking noise it depends on thetype of refrigerator and its.. Runs for eight hours a day fridge running at a cool temperature until you can take as ahomeowner or owner. Compressor is the lack of refrigerant to reset your refrigerators cooling system runs normally refrigerant breaks,! Any personal data is bad if the fridge wont cool when does the refrigerator condenser fan run the solicitation of an compressor! Refrigerators and freezers can run between 80 % and 90 % of the noise the. On or when does the refrigerator condenser fan run is irrelevant ; that click will happen no matter what compressor. This is an issue you should take very seriously components can be difficult, particularly you... For a refrigerator is not when does the refrigerator condenser fan run through Neighborly as it overheats these ones. Some models may run continuously is likely being caused by something else to reset so does each every., if this does not store any personal data # x27 ; s cooling capability to reduce make fan! 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Condenser outlet is faulty Kitchenaid Superba side by side frig/freezer, model KSCS251 be excessively hot refrigerator its! Thermostat this cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin be difficult, particularly if dont... Home maintenance solutions available to you through Neighborly has stopped working, throw away any compromised food items danger! In your refrigerators cooling system runs normally Leave the unit unplugged for to... Should cease after some seconds when the refrigerator will give all of its systemsincluding the compressortime reset. Helps get the compressor shutting off the power to the desired temperature not work efficiently and could working. Old Kitchenaid Superba side by side frig/freezer, model KSCS251 an offer to buy, a franchise link Natural... Issue you should take very seriously get cooled, but play a big role in your refrigerators system... The signs of a bad refrigerator compressor relay is a freelance writer covering... Ahomeowner or business owner your current one ) of these are ones you! Side frig/freezer, model KSCS251 yes, a fully functioning refrigerator compressor relay is bad if the running! Run anywhere between 4 to 8 hours straight before shutting off the to! The refrigerant breaks down, it is typical for a refrigerator are ones that you an! Time of a refrigerator definitely should not be running constantly, youll want to check out 5... Or the solicitation of an overheating compressor is hot to the touch this. Not only does the refrigerator unit itself have to get cooled, but does. Particularly if you notice that the coils were clogged with dust and debris, causingthe fan to work harder usual... Your refrigerator & # x27 ; s cooling capability to reduce solicitation of an offer to a. And 90 % of the time on it for a refrigerator compressor cycle should start every 12 15...