Sub-zero 650 vacuum condenser light keeps comming on

Vacuum condenser light is on
turn unit off / unplug power... light resets
comes back on within 24 hrs

condenser is clean
condenser fan is running

freezer compressor is ok , runs very little to hold 0

frig compressor runs alot more than it used to to hold temp at 38

i've got a set of a/c gages, freon pressure at service port on compressor is 0 psi when unit is running. when unit is off pressure goes up to 35 psi

ive got some r134a freon i can add, what should pressures be ?

diag values

r - 38
re - 40

1 more comment
Anonymous Aug 07, 2008

My sub zero 642 "vacuum condenser" light is flashing. I vacuum the unit regularly. The condenser is clean but the refrigerator side was 52 on my thermometer. What can I do?
fclaessens Sep 20, 2008

We have exactly the same problems but our is a Model 690. How do we fix it?
edwardbloom Jan 15, 2013

Sub Zero has a very big problem with junk evaporator coils or the fridge side. You need an evap coil most likely. SubZero= overpriced junk

7 Answers

Anonymous

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Governor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 20 times.

Hot-Shot:

An expert who has answered 20 questions.
Contributor
26 Answers

Turn the refrigerator off for a minute to reset the vaccum condenser light.

Posted on Oct 24, 2008

edwardbloom Jan 15, 2013

If the condensor is clean, and you did reset the board by turning off then on, then you have a bad evaportator coil. SubZero have junk evap coils

Anonymous

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

Problem Solver:

An expert who has answered 5 questions.
Contributor
3 Answers

Here's the answer, from an official Sub Zero repair company in NYC: Try this: either pull out the plug for the Sub Zero refrigerator or turn off the circuit breaker (or fuse) in your house that leads to it, wait for some minutes and then turn back on. It is NOT enough to turn off the unit using its own internal on-off switch - it has to be totally disconnected from the AC. I did so, waited 15 minutes, turned back on, and it worked!! I had vacuumed the condenser grill twice but the "vacuum condenser" light kept flashing AND the refrig would go bonkers if set below 38. Now the flashing warning is off and it's down to 35. Great !!!

Posted on Oct 30, 2011

Anonymous

Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Vice President:

An expert whose answer got voted for 100 times.
Master
770 Answers

1st is the Condensrer clean?? if so has the light been reset ??? need to know how ask... the pressures will vary depending on the coil temps if you reset the light and it comes back within a day or two and the coil is clean.. It is a long run time error given from the compressor

Posted on Jan 29, 2008

Chris Dieterich

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.
Contributor
1 Answer

I have a 650..

Had the vacuum condenser error flashing for a few days:
1)cleaned condenser
2)unplugged unit for 20+ mins

Both did not correct the issue. Noticed that we had to replace 2 out of the 4 light bulbs at the top of the fridge. I replaced the bulbs and left the cover off for a bit. After opening the fridge about an hour later and grabbing food near the top, I noticed the bulbs were still really hot. Weird because the bulbs should have been off when fridge was closed and cooled by the cold air. Just for the hell of it I removed all of the bulbs and let the fridge go for a few hours. Wouldn't you know it, the error went away! We had a bad light switch that caused the lights to continuously stay on even when the door was closed. This raised the temps enough to keep the condenser going continuously. $20 part and problem solved!! Hope this helps somebody

Posted on May 30, 2017

Carol Young

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Habit-Forming:

Visited the website for 3 consecutive days.

Welcome Back:

Visited the website for 2 consecutive days.
Contributor
1 Answer

I have a sub zero 632. One day I noticed the fridge seems to run nonstop, then I saw the flashing vacuum Condenser light.

I turned it off and cleanef the condenser using brush and regular vacuum. (I don't have compressed air can, please let me know that is important to really clean a condenser).

I then turned it on and the flashing light disappeared. And the fridge run time : rest time =4:1, I felt it only completely rest for about 20 to 30 minutes and started running for a very long time. Then about 24 hours later, the vacuum condenser light stated to flash and at the same time, the fridge keeps running without rest. I touched the compressors, they are not that hot. I don't want the fridge to overrun, so I turned it off. And after an hour I turned it back on, the temperature stayed at set temperature, then everything repeats.

During the whole process, the fridge temperature always reach set temperature quickly.

You know how to fix this, please drop a line. Many thanks.

Posted on Oct 24, 2020

Alexander

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.
Contributor
1 Answer

Pressure is 0 on running refrigerator compressor ? Well that means you have a leak, most likely from the evaporator coil. You can try to add Freon to fix it temporary, but in a future you'll need to replace evaporator coil. We charge 900$ for that. Good luck!

Posted on Oct 17, 2018

Anonymous

How do you reset vacume cond. light on the model 650?

Posted on Feb 06, 2008

Carol Young Oct 24, 2020

I guess just turn the unit off and then on. Or to do it thoroughly, unplug then wait for some while and then plug in.

Add Your Answer

Upload

Upload an image from your computer

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

Loading...

Include an image. It's worth a thousand words.

prev next

Related Questions:

0helpful

2answers

How do i shut off and reset sub=zero 690 fridge?

Its not necessary when "Vacuum Condenser" light is blinking means That condenser is dirty. That light will come on if compressor running too long. Most common problem is that Evaporator coil in fresh food section is leaking freon. It still might keep temps ok, but compressor need to run much more to keep temperature you set. check back wall in fresh food section on left side at the middle, behind drawers. if you see moisture in one spot or a little bit of ice build up, then You will need to call people who can replace evaporator. It is pretty expensive fix. I made video how it looks to repair this problem. Thanks.

Read full answer

Feb 21, 2015 • Sub-Zero 690 Side by Side Refrigerator

0helpful

1answer

How do I turn off and reset side-by-side Subzero fridge, to vacuum condenser?

Usually vacuum condenser light is on, not because of condenser coils dirty, but low on refrigerant unit, so compressor is running longer then usually. You can shut your subzero off at breaker box, if light will keep coming on in day or two, you will need to call service to replace evaporator. Most likely evaporator in Fresh food section has leak(at list its most common place). Check this video I made, even if Your Sub Zero sideXside it still will look the same about changing evaporator. Hope that was helpful.

Read full answer

Feb 20, 2015 • Sub-Zero Refrigerators

0helpful

1answer

My 650 sub zero keeps alerting me to vacuum condenser even after I do so. What should I do?? My condenser is at the top of the frig.

I have found the users manual for this unit, and that my give you more information. Click HERE
Hope this gives you some relief
Joe

Read full answer

Aug 30, 2011 • Sub-Zero 650 / O Bottom Freezer...

8helpful

1answer

VACUUM CONDENSER MESSAGE KEEPS COMING ON subzero 650. I vaccumed it several times! The temp gauge is showing 48, yet the tem is set on 38

you need to turn off main power to frig...wait 5 mins..plug back in...if does it again replace sensor by condnser coil you cleaned..please ,on the side you cleaned flash a bright light thur it if you see no light, its plugged...then take compressed air an blow thur it...will be a little dust...vaccum up...hope it will help...michael,doctor airr appl.repair..843-384-8474...call if need more assistance..good luck...

Read full answer

Mar 26, 2010 • Sub-Zero 650 / O Bottom Freezer...

4helpful

1answer

My light says "vacuum condenser". I cleaned coils and fan and turned unit back on. Light came back on in few days, also don't know where reset switch is. Thanks

Good day,
The power off/on switch is the reset proceedure on most Sub Zero's however, it initially comes on when the unit senses the temperatures are too high, leaving the compressor.
It also is a known fact that a Sub Zero condenser cannot be cleaned by vacuuming only.
Service techs use either compressed air or nitrogen with a hose to blow the condenser clean.
Lacking that, a good push -pull shop vac with a crevice tool makes a good substitute.
Remove top grille, and the cover plate for the compressors.
Aggressively blow the condenser out from both sides.
Make sure it is clean, by shining a light on the inlet side, and making sure you can see thru the fins.
It's ugly, dirty and makes a real mess,
But the option long term, is winding up replacing the compressor(s).

Read full answer

Dec 15, 2009 • Sub-Zero 650 / O Bottom Freezer...

5helpful

3answers

Subzero--Vacuum Condenser Signal Won't Turn Off

The vacuum condenser indicator keeps flashing on and off. I did vacuum the unit, the the indicator lights keeps flashing on and off. How can I reset it and keep it off?
Thanks,
Rob

Read full answer

Aug 22, 2009 • Sub-Zero 650 / O Bottom Freezer...

2helpful

2answers

601R sub zero vacuum condenser notice

Your problem might be serious enough to warrant a repairman's visit. But this was my experience: An official Sub Zero repair company in NYC told me this: If the "vacumm condenser" light keeps flashing after you've opened and cleaned the condenser grill, then either pull out the plug for the Sub Zero refrigerator or turn off the circuit breaker (or fuse) in your house that leads to it, wait for some minutes and then turn back on. It is NOT enough to turn off the unit using its own internal on-off switch - it has to be totally disconnected from the AC. I did so, waited 15 minutes, turned back on, and it worked!! I had vacuumed the condenser grill twice but the "vacuum condenser" light kept flashing AND the refrig would go bonkers if set below 38. Now the flashing warning is off and it's down to 35. Great !!!

Read full answer

Jun 27, 2009 • Sub-Zero 601R

2helpful

1answer

650 sub zero that has a vacuum condenser message returns.

I have seen this many times and have fixed the problem many times. You may notice a ball of frost or ice build up in the fresh food compartment, This is because you have a leak in your evaporator coil and it needs to be replaced. It is a pretty costly repair but well worth it in consideration to what you paid for this unit or what the cost of a new one would be. Because it has less freon in it is why the compressor is running longer and causing message to pop up. Have the evaporator replaced in the section that is giving the issue and this will solve your problem with the unit.

Read full answer

Feb 26, 2009 • Sub-Zero 650 / O Bottom Freezer...

0helpful

3answers