Start Device Kit

Start Device Kit

Sergio from TX

Refrigerator started making clicking sound and stopped cooling, although fan was running. Research pointed to a bad start relay, which may have failed due to accumulation of dirt on condenser coils.

Socket wrench or screwdriver to remove cardboard cover in lower part of refrigerator (back)

Original part was a combination of start relay and overload protection. Whirlpool has since replaced with a kit that includes start relay and two different overload parts (depending on which compressor is installed). Old part pulls right off (may need some prying with a flat blade screwdriver), and new parts are pushed on, after switching wires from the old to the new parts. Instructions are simple and clear. A word of caution: To save $10 I ordered the parts from another website and received two parts in plastic bags, without part number or instructions. Obviously knock-off parts, similar looking, but no way of knowing if the overload was for my compressor. After installing, refrigerator started and quickly shut down. I then reordered from Parts Dr, got original parts in two days via UPS and the refrigerator is back running. This was my first experience with Parts Dr.

Start Device Kit

Ryan from VA

The refrigerator's compressor would not turn on or provide any cooling but just constantly click.

Vacuum cleaner, Phillips and flat blade screwdrivers, multimeter, needle nose pliers, and linesmen plier.

This Whirlpool refrigerator originally uses the single piece integrated 2213106 to serve as the start relay for the compressor as well as overload protection. On this refrigerator the overload stills works but the PTC part within was shattered. After pulling it off the compressor it was making noise when I shook it. It sounded like pieces of gravel rattling inside. Before taking the the wires off from this device, be sure to make a sketch of the color coding. I made the sketch right on the back cardboard cover. I've tested it with the multimeter and found no continuity between the two terminals. After some online research, I found out the original part was obsolete. The new part that was recommended was 8201769. This part was a little different physically than the original. It comes with a black plastic cover as well as 2 separately internal parts. The one with the single prong that plugs into the compressor is for overload protection. There are two of these parts in the kit, the right one to use depends on the model of the compressor. Look at the compressor checking for model number and use the appropriate one. Please refer to the supplied instructions with this kit. The other part which is black and has two prongs is the start relay. Be sure to check the compressor making sure there are no short-circuit of grounding with the multimeter before replacing with this kit. Otherwise it will suffer an immediate failure. The kit also supplied a short jumper adapter that has to be used for connecting the start portion right on back of the PTC to connect with the wiring harness. This is because that terminal is smaller than the other one on the wiring harness and would not fit directly but on the back of the PTC.