I have a 1999 Sears Cold Spot refrigerator that originally only the interior lights worked. My adviser suggested that the thermostat or the compressor relay was faulty. I by passed the thermostat and the fan started and maybe the compresser (couldn't really tell) but the air from the freezer fan was not much colder the the ambient air and the refrigerator doesn't get cold. Does the thermostat have to be install and working for the refrigerant unit to start cooling properly? How do I check the system with the thermostat by passed to make sure it all works and will work correctly when I install the new thermostat? I want to confirm that the thermostat is the only problem and that there is not an underling larger problem.

use a multimeter and check the COLD control thermostat for continuity. also may have bad defrost thermostat stuck on defrost? ( is the inside freezer along back wall warm or hot when running?) or a bad compressor or low on freon. Due to leak? does the freon line fill cold to the touch?

Have you unplugged the fridge sir? checked for any electrical disconnections? dust clogging your tubules in the back? Enough space between the wall and fridge in the back? sometimes these will do it. Your fridge needs air to oxygenate the tubules so that it does not overheat and not work.

is there a fuse in it?

Good day!!!!

When working properly, the thermostat turns the compressor on and off. Once the thermostat turns the compressor on, it will run until the temperature inside the refrigerator is lower than the setting of the thermostat. Make sure that the refrigerator has enough air clearance on all sides. Refrigerators with a condenser coil grid on the back of them need room to radiate the heat away from the coils.
Verify that the door light switch is working properly. Push the switch with your finger to verify the light is turning off. If the light stays on, it will actually warn the interior of the refrigerator. Fix or replace the switch if it is faulty.
Modern refrigerators that have a lot of storage and large freezer compartments run for longer periods of time. They also start and stop very frequently to maintain an even temperature. This is especially true if you have just put a lot of warm food in the refrigerator, or if it is very hot and humid. It can take several hours to get back to the cool temperature you have it set for after putting a large amount of food in it.
If the compressor is not shutting off when the temperature inside the refrigerator is cold enough, you may have a bad thermostat. You may also have the temperature set too high in the refrigerator. Try adjusting the thermostat to a lower temperature. If this turns the compressor off, you had it set too high. With the help of a refrigerator thermometer, you can find a more ideal setting that will keep your food cold, but not so cold that the compressor is always running. If raising the temperature setting doesn't help, it may be a problem with the thermostat and you will need to replace it.
If your thermostat is working properly, there's a chance that you have low levels of refrigerant in the sealed system. If this is where the symptoms lead you, you need to contact a professional appliance repair person. Only an EPA certified technician can legally work on a sealed system. If you attempt to do work on this system, you will void the warranty.
If this is a new refrigerator, it will run for a long time, almost constantly, before it gets cooled enough to stabilize the interior temperature. Allow up to 24 hours for it to stabilize. The refrigerator should be at least one half to two thirds full. This will help to maintain a stable temperature inside the unit. The cold items inside will help to keep an even temperature inside after the door has been opened and closed. Some people prefer to keep a lot of stuff in the refrigerator as ballast, even jugs of water. This helps to maintain temperatures inside so that when the door gets opened and closed often, it doesn't need to run as much to maintain the temperature inside.

I hope this information will be helpful...Thanks for using fixya...

NOTE: This
is a multi-solution answer since I don't have all the tech from your question to pinpoint your problem
But the solution is in here generically, if you read and study the solutions very,very carefully.

Sounds like the cold control has stuck . Unplug the two wires from the cold control and plug them together. Turn one wire over and plug it into the other. away from the cold control.
The cold control is the knob in the ref that turns it on and off and has numbers on it. (Thermostat)
If it runs then that cold control (Thernostat) is the problem.
If that doesn't work DO THIS:
The relay on the compressor may need replaced
A relay starts the compressor with a higher voltage and then quickly kicks out
Thats what is happening with yours
Its best for a tech to replace The relay but you can do it
Take your model number to your Local Appliance parts store they will have a diagram
showing you how to install the relay. Its called a hard start relay
also try hooking the two wires together on the cold control to route around the cold control.

If you need more help GO HERE:

http://www.applianceaid.com/procedures.html

Thank you for using fixya
Leo Ponder
PLEASE VOTE FOR ME IF THIS WAS HELPFUL

Check the valve controlling the flow of coolant to the interior radiator.

This is under warranty. Just call Sears back and they will come out and fix it for free.

Kevinh987,

I would suggest you contact Sears and ask them to repair it free of charge, I am not aware of this model as I am from the Great North. Depending who the OEM is, if Sears did not want to fix it, I would go after them.

Sgt 48

If you have a Sears model with the model number beginning with 795 the unit was built bt LG. You can check with LG. However, if you have the problem with the interior light staying on, LG and Sears will honor that problem as a warranty call going back 3 years. No cost to you. call Sears and arrange the call.

wow you have power to the unit what about the temp control ? is it turned up?? if so is it closed(calling for cooling?) that is the place to start you can jumper it after yo unplug it to see if you dont have a meter