It happens that during the operation of the refrigerator the following situation occurs: the refrigerator does not work, but the freezer does work. This material will consider all possible situations in which a similar problem arises, and also describes why this happens, and ways to resolve it.
The refrigerator does not work, and the light inside is on: the first signs of a malfunction
One can suspect something was wrong by such a sign. The low-temperature chamber clearly freezes, but at the same time t in the refrigerator compartment rises to about 20 degrees. Sometimes an alarm is given about the increased temperature in the cameras or a red indicator lights up on the control panel.
If the refrigerator has a mechanical temperature control, you can check it with a thermometer. The device must be placed in a glass of water and refrigerated overnight. In an electronically controlled refrigerator with display refrigerator temperature compartment is displayed on the scoreboard. In this case, problems with the diagnosis of such a malfunction will not arise.
The next sign is the non-stop operation of the compressor. Non-malfunctioning causes:
- The camera door is not tightly closed. Because of this, the tightness is broken and heat enters the chambers. Similar problems also arise if there is wear on the sealing rubber or the equipment is installed on an uneven floor, and because of this, the door sags.
- Another common mistake made by some users is the installation of equipment near radiators, because of which the refrigerator Nord, Indesit, Atlant or another brand ceases to function normally. Also, do not install the refrigerator close to the wall. To eliminate this problem, you need to fully defrost the equipment. After that, choose the right place for installation: away from the batteries, on a flat floor, not close to the wall.
Do not place the refrigerator near the battery.
- If the refrigerator has stopped cooling, maybe a lot of food has been frozen in the freezer. This is not allowed. Air circulation should be. When the freezer is full, the entire capacity of 1 compressor refrigerator is spent on the low-temperature compartment. The cold for the rest of the department is simply not enough. You need to unload the compartment, perform a defrost - and the problem will be solved.
Overloading the freezer is not recommended.
- Sealing rubber problems. During operation, the sealing rubber may be dried or worn. As a rule, drying of rubber occurs if the equipment is idle for a long time. If the seal is damaged, the tightness of the chamber is impaired. Warm air penetrates inside, which is why the engine runs almost without stopping, but this does not help to cope with the situation, but only leads to premature wear of the motor. Dry seal can be tried to recover. Before that, you need to remove it and soak in boiling water, then install it in place.
Failures leading to the freezer freezing and no refrigerator
Consider the main options for damage, as a result of which the refrigerator stops freezing.
Capillary blockage
The filter tube may be clogged with oil. At the same time, everything is in order with freezing, and it is warm in the refrigerator. The situation in question can be confused with a breakdown of a different nature, for example, a malfunction of the evaporator. Wizards to determine the exact cause, analyze the temperature in the compressor-condenser section. With small blockages, you can try to cope with your own efforts. Sometimes a pat on the tube helps, but it's important not to overdo it. If this does not save the situation, it is better not to try to fix the breakdown by your own efforts (which is not always possible to do with success), but to call a qualified specialist right away. He will professionally clean the system, replace the refrigerant, remove excess air from the evaporator.
Where is the capillary tube in the refrigerator?
Drain hole in drip defrosted refrigerator
Usually in all refrigerators in the drainage hole located in the lower part of the back wall, there is a brush. It is recommended to regularly clean the drainage system. The more often this is done, the less risk there is to get a major traffic jam. Crumbs and other contaminants contribute to the formation of congestion. They do not allow water to drain into a special bath. Water accumulates from below, then flows out. You can clean with a syringe. It must be filled with warm water and squeezed into the canal with force. Steps must be repeated a couple of times, while not forgetting to remove all dirty water from the tray located under the compressor.
Drain pipe cleaning with a rubber bulb
You can clean the system in another way. For example, using a hand pump or soft wire. For this, it is necessary to alternate translational and rotational movements, wiring with wire. In time, this procedure takes about 3 minutes. If desired, you can combine two methods: cleaning with a rubber bulb or using a wire.
To make sure that the system is cleaned, you need to pour a little water into the glass and pour the liquid into the gutter located next to the drain hole. If the drainage system is well cleaned, the water will drain quickly. If the water does not want to leave and stagnates, the procedure must be repeated again.
Freon leak
As a result of mechanical damage or corrosion, the system circuit may be damaged. Due to the formation of microcracks, the gas escapes. The compressor, trying to make up for the lack of cooling, works almost without pauses, but this is not enough. Cold may simply not be enough.
Damage to the solenoid valve responsible for switching modes
If the refrigerator is single-compressor, sticking of the magnetic valve in the cooling mode of the freezer is possible. Replacement of this unit is required.
Temperature sensor breakdown
The temperature sensor on electronically controlled models is located inside the camera. It may be damaged by accident. A sensor showing erroneous information causes the compressor to operate at increased capacities. Other sensors on the refrigerator’s electronic system may also be damaged, and mechanical buttons tend to clog and break. Due to a malfunction in automation, a technician can behave in different ways, including freezing only a freezer.
Fan motor failure
If the refrigerator makes suspicious sounds, something is wrong with it. Not necessarily a breakdown of the engine. The fan blades can simply freeze. To correct the situation, you need to perform a defrost.
Damage to one of the engines in a two-compressor refrigerator
If there is a refrigerator with two motors, and only a freezer is functioning, maybe the compressor responsible for the operation of the refrigerator compartment has broken. Failure of another node leads to a diametrically opposite situation - the freezer does not freeze.
Refrigerators with two compressors
And the last one.On the refrigerator body, inside and out, damage can occur: cracks, holes and more.
