should i throw parts at my fridge/freezer?

[vash]

woke up this morning and started gathering breakfast stuff. opened the freezer and it was obviously not working. i have a thermometer stuck to the back wall and it was WARM! food was very frozen still because the compartment is stuffed full.

the fridge is getting electricity (lights come on). i jiggled the thermostat area and turned the freezer on cooler. nothing.. i started making repairman calls. i then heard the compressor turn on..it is now working and is back to less than zero degrees.

WTF? thermostat? defrost timer? or relay? parts can't be that expensive..can they? thinking of buying all three..and having them on hand for the next failure.

[Joeaksa]

Have you cleaned the dust and dirt off of the back and bottom underneath of the fridge in the last 10-20 years? It DOES make a difference...

[red-beard]

What Model do you have? The more modern ones which are computer controller are the most likely to fail.

[vash]

Originally Posted by red-beard

What Model do you have? The more modern ones which are computer controller are the most likely to fail.

no..bottomline from Costco.. last time the repairguy showed up he said these units were bombproof. because of the lack of computer. i bought a plain unit to hold me off until a kitchen remodel. last time it was the thermostat. cost me $115 to plug in a new part.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Have you cleaned the dust and dirt off of the back and bottom underneath of the fridge in the last 10-20 years? It DOES make a difference...

+1 and if you are worry about that it could stop again get yourself a fridge/freezer alarm. A lot cheaper then a useless maintenance call at this time.

[recycled sixtie]

How old is your freezer? If it is old then u might consider a new one. If it is newer then parts replacement may be the answer?

[billybek]

Just replaced a thermal overload on a friends fridge.
Condenser was plugged with dog hair and the compressor was getting too hot.

[masraum]

I've repaired some home appliances (including a couple of refrigerators), and have no special knowledge of them. I used information and ordered parts from:

A-1 Appliance : Appliance Parts & Repair Help - no affiliation other than being a happy customer.

troubleshooting info here that I have used as well.
Appliance Repair Manuals ONLINE for do it yourselfers

[jmaxwell]

I had a GE ca. 1995, I think, that would heat up the back of the freezer as part of its normal frostfree defrost cycle. the melted frost would trickle down the back wall into the drip pan below

[romad]

If its a old frig it could be hard starting and thermals off. Do you hear a clicking noises? Is the compressor really hot to the touch? Could be a bad starter or just an old compressor.

also could be as Jmaxwell said , you just catch it during a defrost period.