Fridge compressor won't stay running . . .?

[Gogar]

My fridge isn't getting cold,

So I've fiddled around with the thermostat,

When the thermostat clicks over the compressor tries to run and then immediately clicks off.

Should I try to fix something? If so, what?


Disclaimer: This fridge is probably 30-35 years old. So, if "new fridge" is the answer, I'm fine with that.

Thanks

[Laneco]

Spin it around and clean out all coils. Too much dirt/dog hair, etc., makes them overheat.

Worth a try and it's free. As yours shuts off really quick, this probably is not the issue - but again, always try free repairs first.

angela

[wdfifteen]

So many possibilities:
If it's frost free check the evaporator. If it is iced up it can be a bad defrost heater, bad defrost timer, bad door gasket (if you live in a humid environment). The compressor will run until it overheats and never gets the air inside cold. When you try to restart it, if it hasn't been off for 5 minutes or so in order to let the line pressure drop, the pressure in the system is too high for the compressor to start against. It will hum a second and the thermal overload will then kick the motor off.
It can also be a bad start relay. The motors on those old ones was basically two sets of windings in one motor. The relay is supposed to energize both windings until the current drops (the motor starts turning) then drop one set out. If the relay is not switching the start windings on, the run windings will hum for a second but not be powerful enough to get the motor turning. The thermal overload will then kick the whole motor off .
Anything else = get a new fridge.

[nostatic]

I've found that with an SVT you can usually get away without running a compressor due to some tube sag.

oh wait, wrong fridge...

[craigster59]

First things first. Drink all the beer before it gets warm...

[enzo1]

Refrigerator Repair Help - Free Troubleshooting, Videos and Instructions

[johnsjmc]

I have several rental properties and new appiances are so cheap these days I don,t even bother with service any more. A new fridge is under $400 and a service call around here is a min of $100. A new fridge is also considerably cheaper to operate.

[BGCarrera32]

Low refrigerant

[CROWSC]

Sounds to me like your compressor is cutting out on the thermal overload switch. Which means that the compressor is drawing too many amps on start up. You will need a new fridge.

[Laneco]

Originally Posted by craigster59

First things first. Drink all the beer before it gets warm...

OK that really tickled my funnybone!!

angela

[rick-l]

Does it have a PTC thermistor for a starter? Take it off and shake it and if it rattles you need a new one.

[vash]

The timer?

[schamp]

I vote for the timer motor being bad and not turning. Cheap at the right parts house.

[rick-l]

How does the timer cause the thermal protector to trip?

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by rick-l

How does the timer cause the thermal protector to trip?

It the defrost timer doesn't turn the defroster on the evaporator gets filled with frost, no air circulates around it, and the air in the fridge never gets cold. The compressor runs constantly and overheats.

[Gogar]

I turned it off for a while. Turning it back on, the thermostat will get the compressor to kick on and stay on. No cold, though.

Frost isn't much of an issue up here.

[rick-l]

Does it run or just buzz?

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Gogar

I turned it off for a while. Turning it back on, the thermostat will get the compressor to kick on and stay on. No cold, though.

Frost isn't much of an issue up here.

What make and type of refrigerator is it? Top mount freezer?

[Gogar]

It's a GE top mount freezer from the early 1970s. Yes, the early 1970s.

[porsche4life]

Dude, just go buy a new fridge. It will be more efficient, on top of actually working...