My refrigerator is always running- could it be because of dirty coils?

Condenser Fan runs as long as the compressor runs, which is always when there is a call for cooling.
pay attention to this fan, you will often loos the condenser fan after cleaning due to fine dust getting into the motor and drying the bushing.

Your problem could be as simple as dirty condenser coils or a burned out condenser fan. These components are on the bottom of the refrigerator and removing a couple of panels should give you access to them. Clean dust and dirt off the coils and check to see if the bottom fan is running when the refrigerator is running.

You'd be surprised how often this simple fix will get you back up and running. Dirty coils make the refrigerant system VERY inefficient, sometimes to the point that the refrigerator has to run almost constantly to acheive the desire temperatures inside the refrigerator.

Hi,

Many times a freezer and/or refrigeratordo not work right because of a dirty condenser coil...there are also many otherthings that can go wrong. If you are hearing a clicking or buzzing thencheck out the last two tips.

If your refrigerator is running but warm, then...

Check out these tips that I wrote about that... it is a great place to starttrouble shooting your unit...and something that you can do rather then callinga repair person to do a simple thing for you...

Refrigerator Condenser Coil Cleaning Refrigerator Repair

Refrigerator Troubleshooting Refrigerator Compressor

Refrigerator Compressor Start Capacitor and Start Relay
Refrigerator or Freezer not Cooling or Getting Cold

heatman101

Check and see if the freezer coils are blocked with ice. If not you may have a refrigerant problem as you stated the coils were dirty. The new refrigerants when hot tend to clog the capillary tube which feeds the refrigerant to the evaporator (freezer coils)

pull the ref out from the wall remove the back panel and see if the condenser coil is dirty if so unplug the ref clean the coil and place a fan behind the ref for 1 hour to cool the compressor then plug it back up give it 24hours to get back into cycle

Hi,

Many times a freezer and/or refrigeratordo not work right because of a dirty condenser coil...there are also many otherthings that can go wrong. If you are hearing a clicking or buzzing then check out thelast two tips.

If your refrigerator is running but warm, then...

Check out this tip that I wrote about that... it is a great place to starttrouble shooting your unit...and something that you can do rather then callinga repair person to do a simple thing for you...

Refrigerator Condenser Coil Cleaning Refrigerator Repair

Refrigerator Troubleshooting Refrigerator Compressor

Refrigerator Compressor Start Capacitor and Start Relay
Refrigerator or Freezer not Cooling or Getting Cold

heatman101

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As the weather is getting warmer for many people their freezer and/or refrigerator do not work right because of a dirty condenser coil...there are also many other things that can go wrong. If you are hearing a clicking or buzzing then check out the last two tips.

If your refrigerator is running but warm, then…

Check out this tip that I wrote about that... it is a great place to start trouble shooting your unit...and something that you can do rather then calling a repair person to do a simple thing for you...

Refrigerator Condenser Coil Cleaning Refrigerator Repair

Refrigerator Troubleshooting Refrigerator Compressor

Refrigerator Compressor Start Capacitor and Start Relay


heatman101

Hi,

As the weather is getting warmer for many people their freezer and/or refrigerator do not work right because of a dirty condenser coil...

Check out this tip that I wrote about that... it is a great place to start trouble shooting your unit...and something that you can do rather then calling a repair person to do a simple thing for you...

Refrigerator Condenser Coil Cleaning Refrigerator Repair
http://www.fixya.com/support/r4024657-refrigerator_condenser_coil_cleaning

Refrigerator Troubleshooting Refrigerator Compressor
http://www.fixya.com/support/r3885294-refrigerator_troubleshooting

Refrigerator Compressor Start Capacitor and Start Relay
http://www.fixya.com/support/r4023749-refrigerator_compressor_start_capacitor

heatman101

It's usually caused by the condenser fan which is underneath around back. If it's not running when the compressor runs it will cause the problem you describe. You will need to remove the cardboard backing on the back of the fridge to access the fan.
Here's how to test the fan.
http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/appliance/refrigerator/refrigerator.php

Hey ther, you got an old unit there. Usually 24 hours is more than enough time to thaw a coil out. If you leave your fan on it goes a lot quicker but all depends on how much ice it has. Usually a frozen coil is an easy fix but not always. You could be low on refrigerant (make sure they find the leak if it is recharged otherwise it will just happen again), Another cause is dirty filter, or dirty coil, or dirty fan ( probably this since it is old. The last cause is a restriction in the refrigerant lines. That is an expensive fix because they have to pull the refrigerant ot to fix. You shouldn't need any parts regardless except possibly a filter drier or metering device (both can be the restriction in the refrigerant line)
Good Luck
seth