After 27 years our fridge died. ARGHHH

[GH85Carrera]

We have had our fridge for 27 years, and it has been flawless. The ice maker worked perfect. The freezer froze and the fridge was cold.

Last night the compressor quit running. It still has a charge, but wither it is the start up capacitor or the compressor. I have never silver soldered copper AC lines. A new compressor kit comes with the start up capacitor, and of course the compressor.

And of course, it dies on Saturday right before a three day weekend.

I may just order the start up capacitor for $48 bucks and throw that part at it. The compressor kit is $340 plus shipping.

The fridge is a 34 cubic foot, freezer on top model in textured white. The rest of the kitchen is white, and neither my wife o I want stainless steel. So ordering a new fridge in about the same configuration is $900, and will be mid September before it arrives.

I know the new fridge will not last 27 years, but I doubt I will make it that long either.

[Alan A]

Could be worse. I have a counter depth fridge [I know I know] that the hinges on the bottom freezer are NLA so I have to get a new one because it doesn’t seal right. And yes I shimmed it...

The new ones are 12k. I paid 5 back in 07…
$900 is bring it now territory.

[craigster59]

I just had a fridge delivered yesterday. Closed on the new house Friday and went for the final walk through. Surprise, surprise no fridge!

Looked again at the listing and only washer/dryer was included. Ran to Spencer's Appliance and they had a Labor Day sale, normally $3.2k LG for $1.7k.

I had a Samsung fridge before, no bueno. They freeze up every 6 months or so and then you have to unplug for 24 hrs and pull the back panel from inside the fridge to defrost.

I was even able to have them throw in a Frigidaire for the garage for only $499. Once the Pod arrives from California with my freezer I'll be all set.

[craigster59]

Gratuitous fridge pron......

[onewhippedpuppy]

27 years, holy crap! You owe that thing a funeral or something.

[unclebilly]

I’m so sorry for your loss—your fridge was such a faithful companion and keeper of leftovers. Losing an appliance is harder than it seems, and my heart goes out to you during this chilly time. Though nothing can truly replace it, in time your kitchen may find room for another fridge to bring you comfort (and ice).

[porsche tech]

/\ /\ /\ Good one!

[GH85Carrera]

I decided to gamble $100 on a new startup relay. The web site for parts has good help, and that is a common no start issue. I feel the compressor is OK. It still has a charge, and it was not making any noise, or no bad or ominous noises. We spend a C note on dinner out on a semi-regular basis.

And if that fixes it I will be a hero, and properly rewarded!

If it doesn't fix it, will it will not be the first $100 I have wasted.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

We have had our fridge for 27 years, and it has been flawless. The ice maker worked perfect. The freezer froze and the fridge was cold.

Last night the compressor quit running. It still has a charge, but wither it is the start up capacitor or the compressor. I have never silver soldered copper AC lines. A new compressor kit comes with the start up capacitor, and of course the compressor.

And of course, it dies on Saturday right before a three day weekend.

I may just order the start up capacitor for $48 bucks and throw that part at it. The compressor kit is $340 plus shipping.

The fridge is a 34 cubic foot, freezer on top model in textured white. The rest of the kitchen is white, and neither my wife o I want stainless steel. So ordering a new fridge in about the same configuration is $900, and will be mid September before it arrives.

I know the new fridge will not last 27 years, but I doubt I will make it that long either.

34 cubic feet? Wow, that's enormous. I didn't realize that they made fridges that big. I think the biggest that I've ever seen was closer to 25cuft.

We bought a fridge years ago in our old house, Kitchen Aid. When we downsized, we gave it to our kids that were moving into a house. They kept it for a long time. When we moved to this new house, they were moving to a new home too and wanted a new fridge for the new home. They gave us our old fridge back, so it's out in the garage acting as our second fridge. It's ~18-20 years old, and lives in a garage where it gets dew, 100º+ temps, etc...

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Alan A

Could be worse. I have a counter depth fridge [I know I know] that the hinges on the bottom freezer are NLA so I have to get a new one because it doesn’t seal right. And yes I shimmed it...

The new ones are 12k. I paid 5 back in 07…
$900 is bring it now territory.

If you've got a small kitchen, counter depth (which really isn't) is the only way to go. Our old fridge that's now in the garage is counter depth. Our current fridge that's a built in is actually counter depth, I guess because it's "built in". It's a Dacor, and was crazy expensive, ridiculously so, but it's a VERY nice fridge.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

I decided to gamble $100 on a new startup relay. The web site for parts has good help, and that is a common no start issue. I feel the compressor is OK. It still has a charge, and it was not making any noise, or no bad or ominous noises. We spend a C note on dinner out on a semi-regular basis.

And if that fixes it I will be a hero, and properly rewarded!

If it doesn't fix it, will it will not be the first $100 I have wasted.

Fixing it is probably far cheaper, easier, and better than trying to replace it.

[Scott Douglas]

I remember when we replaced our fridge oh so many years ago. I think it was because my wife wanted a change in color or something, I forget.
What I don't forget is that it quit working two weeks after we put it in.
That about killed me.
They came out and fixed it by breaking into the system and pumping it down again, then soldered it closed.

Been working fine ever since then.

I really hope the new start capacitor does the trick for you Glen, 'cause we all know they don't build 'em like they used to.

Good luck!

[gregpark]

Well, if your fix is unsuccessful it could be a blessing
Refrigerators have evolved a lot in 30 years. Unlike the new cars i actually enjoy the features. They're also far more efficient and will save in the long run. I have the LG pictured above and it's pretty awesome

[A930Rocket]

Working for a few builders, they generally install lowering end appliances like Whirlpool or GE and it’s a rare that something doesn’t go wrong with an appliance. Mostly dishwashers and refrigerators. Appliances are crap now.

[Steve Carlton]

At least the Maytag repairman has something to do now.

[VINMAN]

Wow 27yrs? Thats a good run.

Our pos $3000 GE we bought 5 yrs ago has been nothing but nightmare. 2 yrs after purchase started having problems. Thank God we got the extended warranty. Still having problems to this day. The warranty company finally said they can't cover repairs anymore.

Meanwhile my grandparents old Westinghouse from the 60s is still cranking out ice cold.

.

[Steve Carlton]

It sounds like the warranty company reached the maximum they can pay. I'd write a letter to GE- maybe they'll do the right thing.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by gregpark

Well, if your fix is unsuccessful it could be a blessing
Refrigerators have evolved a lot in 30 years. Unlike the new cars i actually enjoy the features. They're also far more efficient and will save in the long run. I have the LG pictured above and it's pretty awesome

Even if the new appliance was 1/2 the cost to run, the buy in price will take 20 years to "pay for itself" and at my age, I have am too old to care about that. We will be in an assisted living home by then at best.

[zakthor]

Why dont you test the capacitor first?

Could just as easily be something on the control board, a transformer or a smaller cap.

[908/930]

Hopefully it is the capacitor, there are likely a couple of other possibilities though. Also check the motor relay usually attached to the compressor possibly attached to the capacitor you ordered, and the temp control switch.