Compressor stops running and keeps cycling every few minutes. It buzzes as if the compressor is gone. the compressor is hot. If the thermostat is turned to off for 6 to 8 hours and then turned back on the compressor works fine with no buzzing noise for aprox two days and then it happens again. I thought maybe it was the relay on the compressor but it wasn't the problem. The compressor still froze after installing the new relay.

The buzz is the compressor failing to start.The blue or purple wire from the compressor goes to herm on the capacitor. If it's wired right and does not stare the compressor is bad.

Compressor failing. May just be a start relay but usually compressor replacement required

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

Hi and welcome to FixYa, I am Kelly. Your hearing the compressor Thermal overload cycle every few minutes for no more than 45 seconds. The compressor is not starting at all or it is not cycling from the start winding to the run winding so the KliXon thermal overload is tripping. That switching of windings is done by the PTC relay mounted on the side of the compressor. The Compresor part number is EMY32CLC. PTC relays can be found here:
http://www.europart.co.uk/s.nl/sc.2/category.690082/.f You will have to match your relay to the image.

I would recommend using the phone locally to purchase the relay AFTER performing the following.
POWER OFF / Unplugged WAIT 30 minutes for the compressor to cool and the coolant pressures to stabilize. After 30 minutes plug in the unit and see if the compressor starts.


POWER OFF / Unplugged
IF after 30 minutes the compressor does not restart....
1. Read the pins of the compressor to the case of the compressor. No grounds allowed.
2. Read pin 1 to pin 2 (on 2 pin compressor) you should read resistance.
3. If you have a 3 pin compressor only 2 of the 3 pins will read to each other at any given time. One for start winding and one for run winding with 3rd pin being common.

A locked compressor rotor/armature will also cause the compressor not to start. A locked rotor requires compressor replacement. (Fingers crossed lets hope that the rotor is not locked!)

Hopefully your unit will restart. A momentary loss of power will cause a compressor to hot cycle and not restart. All it takes is about a 8 second power loss to put the compressor into this no start frenzy. Do the 30 min no power thing and see what happens. (maybe save your self lots of money.)

Thanks for choosing FixYa,

Kelly

Compressor problem. There are start components mounted on the side of the compressor, and should be removed and tested. The parts include the start relay, (start/run capacitor if it has one) and the overload switch.
To test these components you must have a working knowledge of electrical an use of a good VOM meter.
If not, remove the parts, and take them to an appliance parts house. They usually are happy to test them for you.
If they test O.K. you have a failed compressor.
P.S. If this machine is under 5 years old, the compressor is under warranty, (some have an extended 10 year warranty). if the warranty is in effect, do nothing. Call the dealer who would handle the warranty. You would have to pay for replacement of the start components, but having it serviced by an authorized warranty station will keep the balance of the compressor warranty in effect. Hope this helps... Jack

Is the compressor (underneath the refrigerator) not running?

If so, the buzzing sounds like the compressor is trying to come on, and it won't for some reason. That's major repairs.

bad over load or comp if there is a condencer fan on it make sure its working

For the 25 year old freezer: a replacement compressor of the same BTU rating can be obtained and used as a replacement BUT at 25 years old I DO Not recommend the expense of a compressor replacement.

To the owner of the six year old freezer. The buzzing noise is more than likely the compressor cycling on its overload protector. This is an indication that the compressor has failed. In this case also I do not recommend replacing the compressor. If it was in warranty the manufacturer would bear the cost. Replacement compressor come with a one year warranty.

you can check its starting components. it could be a bad capacitor or a bad start relay. if the compressor starts from cold, it could start right away but as it heats up, it should be able to start also, since after running for a few hours, the compressor will really get hot, it would stop at defrost cycle and re start again after about 30 mins. since it is still hot, if it has a defective starting components, it can not start and that is the time it would overheat.

in any case that the starting components are all ok, then you have a partially burnt compressor. it would run while cold and can not run when hot because the resistance of the wires changes as it gets hot. with this kind of problem, you need to replace the compressor. as you have said, the fan at the condenser is running. if the fan at the condenser is not running, that is also a cause for the compressor to overheats. i hope i was able to help...

I note this is a very old post. The compressor is not starting and what you were hearing was the PTC relay energizing followed by the KilXon thermal overload kicking off the compressor start sequence. What happens is that the PTC relays sometimes get a heated contact. Due to the weakened state of the contact it can cause a buzz. Even with a goo PTC relay you would hear the compressor buzz if it was not starting. In that case the run capacitor may have failed or the compresor rotor is internally locked at which point the start cycle will repeat every 3 to 4 minutes as the thermal overload cycles and the compressor will not start.

Thanks for choosing FixYa

Kelly