Urgent: Refrigerator Diagnosis

[Victor]

Hi There,

We have a (roughly 12 year old) refrigerator that has been causing the circuit breaker to the powerpoints in the house to blow.

I checked everything a dozen times, plugged it in somewhere else etc. and it is definately the fridge causing the problem. There are no obvious external problems such as broken cables.

Anyone here know anything about fridges? The thing is pretty old so I assume she has just given up the ghost but before I throw it out for a new one, I thought I better check incase it's something obvious.

[RickM]

Unless its's a sub-zero (or similar) with separate components it may be hard to diagnose. It could be the motor or a siezed compressor.

Off the top of my head I'd say a new one is likely your best bet. A new fridge will also cost quite a bit less to operate as well.

[Victor]

Thanks Rick, I thought so.

[stomachmonkey]

Yeah get a new one. My last one crapped out at 8 and it cost only slightly more to replace than to fix.

Don't forget to take the doors off the old one before leaving it outside.

Scott

[Flatbutt1]

you may need to have the refrigerant bled out of it before you can dispose of it. thats the lawhere in jersey.

[RickM]

Actually, in NJ you used to be able to call the Electric utility and ask them to pick up the old fridge. They'd do it for free and give you a $50 bond. Not sure if they do it anymore but it's worth a call to your utility.

[jhc]

If your coils are dirty it can cause your compressor to trip the circuit breaker. Use a brush and vacuum it out.

[gr8fl4porsche]

Dirty coils could be the problem but it sounds like the compressor is trying to kick on and draws too many amps - thus tripping the breaker. You could probably fix the fridge for a couple hundred bucks if the compressor is bad. Unless you want a new one, it generally is cheaper to repair old stuff. Call a used appliance place - they may come pick it up.

The new stuff is far more efficient and will keep your veggies fresher longer. Expect to pay big bucks for a nice one. The low to middle line stuff looks nice but component wise is crap. In the rental property business, I have had to repair lots of 4-5 year old appliances when there are 20-30 year old items that never have problems.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Originally posted by RickM
Unless its's a sub-zero (or similar) with separate components it may be hard to diagnose. It could be the motor or a siezed compressor.

Off the top of my head I'd say a new one is likely your best bet. A new fridge will also cost quite a bit less to operate as well.

Slight hijack, but you know where I can find Sub Zero parts? friend of mine has one that needs a few things fixed..

[Victor]

OK - did a deal on a new one which includes disposal of old faithful. Not massive (519L), upside down style in stainless steel. Can't wait to fill it with beer.

[RickM]

Originally posted by Jared Fenton
Slight hijack, but you know where I can find Sub Zero parts? friend of mine has one that needs a few things fixed..

Parts are typically expensive through the dealer network. However, I've seen a few dealers selling repair components at rock bottom prices on Ebay. If you do a search on Ebay you'll see them either auctioning off the parts or selling through their Ebay store with the Buy-it-now listings at the bottom of the page. Contact the sellers and they'll likely have what you need. Compressors are a popular replacement item.

[juanbenae]

i was talking with an appliance repairman at a local watering hole and he stated that the new fridges with the safer refrigerant and more energy efficient motors were only going to last you 7 or 8 years and they are done. it's what i refer to as the "laundry basket" theory, if they made one that lasted forever they would put themselves out of business.

stuff is no longer made to last like it once did, disposal has become the american way.

[legion]

My refridgerator is original to the house. My house was built in 1976. My house and fridge are two years older than me.