Penguin model 610012-001a/c compressor won't start

I have a recurring problem with a GE Profile PSB48LSRABV. Here's an example sequence:

• Fresh food compartment set to 37F on the control panel (for months)
• Thermometer in fridge reads 46F (with lots of water inside per manual)
• Press "Display Temp" button, display shows fridge at 37F
• Turn power off, count to 15, turn power on, wait for control panel to boot
• Press "Display Temp" button, display shows fridge at 46F (matches thermometer!)
• Compressor runs and cools fresh food compartment
• Hours later thermometer in fridge reads 37-38 (yeah!)
• Press "Display Temp" button shows fridge at 37F
• Within days, the fridge is warmer inside again, thermometer inside reads 45+, but display reads 37 - unit needs to be "rebooted" again!

Fresh food thermistor from top of cabinet measured properly in ice water (and warmer water), the unit has always passed all the self-tests, and condensor coils and fan are clean, so I had techs come give it a shot under home warranty:

• Trip 1 - Tech came to assess, ordered new evaporator fan
• Trip 2 - Replaced fresh food evaporator fan (note new fan is working in fridge, and old fan works fine on bench)
• Trip 3 - Ordered main computer PCBA
• Trip 4 - Replaced main computer PCBA

Unfortunately, it continues the same cycle of misreading the temperature until power cycles, and taking a day off of work for each visit is getting painful.
Any ideas?

Make sure the filters are clean. Check what mode it is on as well. On heating, it is normal for there to be a delay before the unit starts up and then "run on" when turned off. Also check what temperature is set on it. If the temp is too high, the machine will cycle on and off as it thinks it has already reached the temp you want.

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Without your MAKE & model number; all I can do is tell you what can cause this symptom.

At the end of the defrost cycle the defrost control is supposed to get a signal from either a 60 deg bi-metal thermostat or thermistor (depending upon make & model) That signal starts the clock either mechanical or electronic that signeals the compressor to start. The fan automatically will run when the compressor runs. If the defrost thermostat or thermistor is not working correctly the unit will start a defrost cycle but never finish so it completly defrosts.

The termperature control will also cause this symptom. If the corntacts in the temp control fail the compressor will not restart.

Just from reading your symtoms I think you have a problem with one of the following:
1. Defrost thermostat or thermistor
2. Defrost control
3. Temp control

Most of the time it is either 2 or 1 above in that order.

If you respond with a make and model number I will use that to determine if there is anything you can do at this time to troubleshoot.

Thanks for choosing FixYa,
Kelly

Symbols:
1. fan leaves - Fan only
2. Rain drop- Dry mode
3. Snow flake-Cool mode
4. Sun- Heat
5. A or AU- Auto mode.
L-means fan speed low
M-means fan speed of med H-means fan speed of high.
To get proper cool, mode "cool" and less 3 degree minimum than your room temp.
To get proper Heat mode "Heat" and 3 degree more than room temp. Hope, helpful

Hi and welcome ti FixYa, I am Kelly.
Since you did not include your model number this will be a GENERIC response.

Reasons for the compressor and fan not to run.

1. Defrost control problem. Mechanical defrost timer stuck or failure. On units with Electronic Adaptive Defrost controls; a PCB failure.

2. Defrost thermostat or defrost heating element failure.

3. Fresh Food temp. control failure.

These are the 3 most common failures. The fans should run anytime the units temp control is above the "set temp" and the unit is NOT in the automatic defrosting cycle.

If you provide a model number I can pass on some troubleshooting tips to hopefully help you isolate the failed componenet.

Thanks for choosing FixYa,
Kelly

If compressor stops in middle, check the following.
1.Thermostat setting must be minimum +3 degree than your room temp
2. Check it's in heat "mode"
3. Check indoor and outdoor coils are clean.
4. Check fan motor is working alright.
5. Outside sensor and room air sensor is placed correctly.
6. Gas pressure is o.k
7.Check compressor is overheated, even all the above is o.k.

i would do a continutity check on you relay and overload, other than that
what is the humidity level in the room, as well as the ambiant temp. these mahines cycle for that very reason, the fan will come on, do a check and then determine if it should start the compressor.
check if you have voltage at the compressor when its supposed to be running ( just a last thought)
ive seen compressors ohm out, but in fact be bad

UNITS THEMOSTAT IS BAD REPLACE THERMOSTAT IF DONT SOLVE PROBLEM MAKE SURE UNIT IS NOT FREEZING UP AND BOUNCING OFF A "FREEZE STAT" CASING COMPRESSOR TO SHORT CYCLE

If you set you r AC to FAN mode the unit will not cool, it only runs in the indoor but the outdoor will off. If you set to AUTO the unit will cool but the indoor blower will automatically run slower when the room is cool or attain the room temp. setting. If you set it to COOL the fan speed is fix depending on your setting and it also operate in cool.