Part
Start Device
Product Rating
Customer
Sophia from OH
Problem
Fridge compartment not cooling; freezer compartment okay.
Tools
Unplugged fridge. Using nut driver, took cardboard panel off fridge [attached to back of fridge, near bottom], to access side of compressor, where the various components are attached to it.
Repair & Advice
Never done this before. Take a photo of the original parts -- how they are positioned/where they are located on the side of the compressor, or make a detailed drawing of same. The combo start relay [in my case, the overload protector was faulty; it is built into the plastic housing that has the start relay in it] was easy to install, to replace the original [a plug-in type component, slides onto the three metal 'pins' seen on the compressor's side]. Just make sure to FIRST unplug appliance and to also discharge the capacitor as an extra precautionary step [also easy to do by closely following directions]. PartsDr has excellent tutorial videos on youtube, which I watched more than once, and followed their instructions, including how to test the various parts using a multimeter, which I never used before, but purchased it specifically to test this compressor. If compressor was bad, then I'd need to go out and buy a new fridge [but, I preferred keeping the one I have]; in that case, it would not be worth repairing it. Fortunately, compressor tested just fine so I proceeded to test its components. Then, I ordered the combo start relay ($49), to replace the faulty overload protector. Shipping was lightning fast [thank you!] Repaired this large cubic foot fridge myself for $120, which includes cost of a multimeter that I get to keep and use again in the future. According to a local appliance repair company's office, it would have been $250, minimum, for tech to come out, test/evaluate and effect the needed repair. The people at PartsDr. com have played a major role in this -- my personal success in restoring the function of a very important major household appliance. Can't thank you enough!
Story submitted on April 18, 2023