Weird refridgerator issue. Mechanicals good but no cool

[cabmandone]

You could do a search for "refrigerator inefficient compressor". You might find some temperature readings on the suction and discharge lines that will point you in the right direction.

Do you have a LG/Kenmore? If so you likely have the Linear Inverter compressor and it might be covered if the LG warranty extension applies to Kenmore fridges with compressor issues. LG had a large class action suit against them for compressor failures.

[nota]

Originally Posted by billybek

I have heard of this for an RV fridge (absorption refrigerator) but never for a normal vapour compression cycle refrigerator. For an RV refrigerator, that can help get the absorbent, refrigerant and assist gas back where they belong. You still need to know where to start.

As a side note. the compressor is mounted on springs inside the "can". Transporting a fridge on the side or back might result in a compressor that clunks on startup and shutdown. I wouldn't advise flipping your refrigerator upside down.

I had a propane fridge on the boat
we had to do that often as the boats motion did in the unit's gas/liquid balance

but I also got a non-cooling el compressor fridge to cool by flipping it
kind of voodoo as I have no idea why it worked but it did
yes watch the compressor for displacement on the springs

[fintstone]

Are both freezer and fridge equally not cool at all (the same)?

[cstreit]

Originally Posted by fintstone

Are both freezer and fridge equally not cool at all (the same)?

Yes. they use a single evaporator and fan - with a splitter duct.

[cstreit]

Originally Posted by cabmando

You might find some temperature readings on the suction and discharge lines that will point you in the right direction.

Do you have a LG/Kenmore? If so you likely have the Linear Inverter compressor and it might be covered if the LG warranty extension applies to Kenmore fridges with compressor issues. LG had a large class action suit against them for compressor failures.

THey're both at ambient. No temperature differential between the two. It is a Kenmore and I'm pretty sure has a linear compressor.

[Geronimo '74]

didn't read the whole thread so maybe this has been mentioned before?

Faulty temp sensor.

Had this at my parents's house.
Replaced sensor, problem solved.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by cstreit

THey're both at ambient. No temperature differential between the two. It is a Kenmore and I'm pretty sure has a linear compressor.

I'm guessing here but if it's running and both lines are the same temp, that compressor is toast. Check into LG linear inverter compressor failure for some really fun reading. Then go ahead and ask me why I recently bought a LG refrigerator knowing this.

[island911]

Do you have clean power? I once had a problem with an outlet... it always showed voltage and 'ran' the compressor(some vibrations) but the unit would remain room temp.

[cstreit]

UPDATE:

Technician came out and verified it has the LG linear compressor that fails after 3 years.

LG covers it under their warranties on LG refrigerators. Sears covers it only on the Elite models. For me? It costs as much as a new one to repair. I've called 6 different departments at sears and they all claim 'someone else" handles that.

The same part - same model - etc.. 10 year warranty on the "Elite" line. NO warranty on the standard line. I will never EVER buy another item from sears ever again

ANOTHER UPDATE!!!

I've called 10 differnet numbers provided. They all lead to the service center.

I finally got through to a Supervisor and they pawned me off on "Kenmore CUstomer Care". That number is a spam line. You have to listen through 20 BS spam offers (auto insurance, home care, etc..) and then at the end of rejecting all of those, it send you to another phone number which is "Free 411".

In other words - there is NO WAY to speak to a person at sears at all. Beware.

[cstreit]

I believe I will be loading this appliance up into my truck and dropping it off at the local sears location.

[island911]

or...

https://www.classlawgroup.com/consumer-protection/lg-fridge-compressor-failure-lawsuit/

DK.

Sucks for sure.

[cstreit]

I found replacement compressors online and the piercing valve, but there is conflicting information as to whether or not you need to re-program the control board when putting in the newer style compressor.

No way to find out...

[John Rogers]

No you don't have to reprogram. Just run temp settings a tad lower. You WILL need a vacuum pump to get ALL the air out no matter what anyone says! The Freon charge will have to be known as you just can't shove a bunch of it in! If it were me I would buy the two stage vacuum pump HF sells for about $150 or so, a gage set so you can watch the pressure difference across your new compressor as it will have the specs with it.

Or just pay to have someone do it for you.

[cstreit]

Thanks John - they want $1000 to repair a $1400 fridge.

I might be able to scare up a vacuum pump from the auto community -

[john70t]

Originally Posted by cstreit

I've called 6 different departments at sears and they all claim 'someone else" handles that.

I've called 10 differnet numbers provided. They all lead to the service center.

I finally got through to a Supervisor and they pawned me off on "Kenmore CUstomer Care". That number is a spam line. You have to listen through 20 BS spam offers (auto insurance, home care, etc..) and then at the end of rejecting all of those, it send you to another phone number which is "Free 411".

In other words - there is NO WAY to speak to a person at sears at all. Beware.

(and this is by accident? i think not)

Thank you for the warning.

[cstreit]

Originally Posted by john70t

(and this is by accident? i think not)

Thank you for the warning.

I'm sure its not. This 3rd party service company is a vulture picking off the bones of Sears customers that all bought the junk they sold for the last 4-5 years.

If you have time, do a search on ANY review site on LG and Kenmore refrigerators and you'll see a staggering number of people that had theirs fail in 2-3 years. No coverage, no care.

I bought Kitchenaid (Whirlpool) as they have the lowest repair rates of all.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by cstreit

ANOTHER UPDATE!!!
I've called 10 differnet numbers provided. They all lead to the service center.
I finally got through to a Supervisor and they pawned me off on "Kenmore CUstomer Care". That number is a spam line. You have to listen through 20 BS spam offers (auto insurance, home care, etc..) and then at the end of rejecting all of those, it send you to another phone number which is "Free 411".
In other words - there is NO WAY to speak to a person at sears at all. Beware.

Originally Posted by john70t

(and this is by accident? i think not)

Yup there is no service in Customer Service
Who designed Equifax Customer Service?
I had to do an online search just to find a number to talk to someone. Had the same problem with Paypal a few years ago.

And while we're at it DON'T buy a DELL Computer: there is no way to talk to someone from Dell Computers inside the USA (as of a few years back when they ripped me off and I vowed to never deal with them again). They won't even give you the information as to where to write to the corporate office (which I finally found online and wrote a letter but never got a response).

[Superman]

Given the disturbing stories I have read here and elsewhere, it was with some reluctance I purchased a Whirlpool side by side from Costco yesterday, and the extended warranty. This unit does not even HAVE an ice-maker. With warranty and tax, just a little over $1K. Fingers crossed.

Here is the unit I am replacing. A Kenmore from the Plasticene period about 400 million years ago. I bought it used for the princely sum of $100 about a dozen years ago. It makes a little noise and the water system once turned my kitchen into a lake but otherwise it has been a good girl. I even considered checking into a full rebuild of this unit given the reliability, or lack thereof, of modern 'fridges.

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by Superman

Given the disturbing stories I have read here and elsewhere, it was with some reluctance I purchased a Whirlpool side by side from Costco yesterday, and the extended warranty. This unit does not even HAVE an ice-maker. With warranty and tax, just a little over $1K. Fingers crossed.

Here is the unit I am replacing. A Kenmore from the Plasticene period about 400 million years ago. I bought it used for the princely sum of $100 about a dozen years ago. It makes a little noise and the water system once turned my kitchen into a lake but otherwise it has been a good girl. I even considered checking into a full rebuild of this unit given the reliability, or lack thereof, of modern 'fridges.

But you will probably make up for the cost of a new fridge in energy savings.

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by cstreit

I believe I will be loading this appliance up into my truck and dropping it off at the local sears location.

That might be cheaper over the long haul, and cause you less aggravation.