Why do freezer and refrigerator get warm and then cool down again and repeat the cycle every few days?

The unit needs two fans running and good airflow, one fan outside cools the condensor coil and the other inside the unit blowing across the evaporator. The compressor must start up. The defrost timer stops everything and switches on a heating element to defrost the evaporator for several minutes. Please verify these conditions.

Its the problem with compressor,The problem is weak compressor.The refrigerant ( R12) in the compressor is got low.The compressor is weak.The compressor needs to be replaced.-------------- The working procedure of this unit is as follows: --- The compressor starts then it cools the freezer section. When the freezer reaches its cooling level the defrost cycle starts functioning. In this cycle the fan in the freezer section starts running and the cool air in the freezer section is passed to the fridge section and the fridge section gets cold. The air from freezer to refrigerator passes from the section, in that section the damper is located.------------ But as you mentioned that freezer not cooling this indicates problem with compressor.When compressor cools the freezer section then fridge section gets cold.If freezer section is not getting properly cold then fridge section will not cool properly/.So the problem relates to compressor.---------- In the compressor there is a refrigerant called FREON.With the help of this Freon the compressor cools the freezer section.Freon is a gaseous type cooling agent.The compressor will stop cooling when coolant gets leaked from its chamber.--------- Again recharging the Freon is possible, but the cost for that recharging is approx the cost of new compressor.So its always advisable to get compressor replaced.Because new compressor has warranty for few years.------------------ You can get required parts from from online sites like: --- www.repairclinic.com or from searspartsdirect online site. --------- This should help.Thanks.Helpmech.

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 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

Hello Anna Sounds like the compressor is overheating and stoping on overload internally.Then it cools down restarts and runs into overload again.I would like to see the freon pressures when running.Could have a clog/restriction in piping.I dont like that you went thru a compressor already, the original installition is suspect.The original (1st) failure cause must be corrected.Check the TXV valve replace, filter/dryer look for a kinked pipe are ideas for overheating.Make sure condenser coil is free (ari flow)& clean also.

Check and make sure fan in frezer section works properly.you should be able to hear fan slowing down when you open freezer, or find door switch and press and hold..hope it helps you..

It could very well be the start relay or capacitor. It also could be the compressor is wearing out. Unplug, remove cover on compressor wiring and mark the wires going to compressor. Take the capacitor to a refrigeration store or have someone check the capacitor. You also could replace the capacitor and start relay with a three in one relay and capacitor combined, that is rated for a refrigerator the size of yours. Get back with me when you find something, Thanks, Sea Breeze

looks like operating normally...

the fridge as it reaches it's temperature shuts the compressor off and then after a few minutes..the fridge would increase temperature again and would turn back the compressor again.

its the thermostat which is cutting on and off the compressor.

and i think it is normal. based on the temperatures that you indicated..it is cooling very well..0 F in the freezer and 40 in the refrigerator... that's good.

drcool

you have a deffective compressor the humming that your hearing or the clicking is the relay on the compressor trying to start the unit, the compressor is stuck and cannot start, leaving it unplugged lets the compressor cool down, but as it tries to recool the unit it gets orerheaated again, thus the bad compressor

sounds like your thermostat is faulty
the thermostat reads the temperature of the cabinet and controls the temperature
the 1 thing to check on the uprights is the evaporator is in the freezer and that makes the cool then there is a fan that blows the air around the fridge and freezer to freeze things
now there is a cycle that hapens to cycle usualy every 12 hours and that is the defrost cycle
this cycle turns off the compressor and fan turns on an defrost element on the evaporator and heats up the coils to get rid of the ice
the ice turns to water and runs through a drain to a evaporator tray and when the cycle is finished the fridge stars up again and goes into the cooling state again
when the thermostat decides that the fridge is cold enough it turns of the compressor and so on it goes through the cycles as required
if the drai is blocked or the defrost system is not working the evaporator will get choked with ice and the fan will not beable to let air through to cool things off

the relay on the compressor is most likely the culprit part# 8201786 you can buy it at the local sears parts and repair center it is very easy to replace it. your refrig compartment will start warming up soon. to prevent damage to your compressor probably a good idea to unplug the refrig until you get the part replaced..