VinoTemp VT-52SN Stainless Steel Wine Cooler Logo
Anonymous Posted on Jul 08, 2011

My Vinotemp VT52SN stopped cooling. I was away from home for a few days and when I came back the fan was running and the temp was stuck at 62 degrees. I had it set at 54 (and lower)... the fan runs and I think the compressor runs but doesn't cool. I unplugged it over night then plugged it back in... the fan and I think the compressor immediately come on but the unit doesn't cool. I may only be hearing noise from the fan and not the fan and compressor but I'm not sure. I lost power briefly in a storm (when I was out of town)... could this have damaged the unit? I don't have it hooked up to a surge protector. The coils are pretty clean (light dust) and the light and digital temp readout works fine. Any idea what is wrong? I really appreciate your help! Scott.

  • Anonymous Oct 25, 2011

    It's not the relay. I replaced it and it's still not cooling. Any idea of what's the problem? Can it be the thermostat or control board needs to be replaced? The fan runs, the compressor runs (I think).. I can feel it vibrating like it's running and it gets warm. I really appreciate your help!

×

1 Answer

Robert Moller

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.

Guru:

An expert who has written 7 tips or uploaded 3 video tips

  • Master 1,524 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 08, 2011
Robert Moller
Master
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.

Guru:

An expert who has written 7 tips or uploaded 3 video tips

Joined: Oct 29, 2008
Answers
1524
Questions
1
Helped
579738
Points
4327

How To Test the Compressor Relay The compressor relay's purpose is to start the compressor. A faulty relay can result in the compressor failing to cycle on. The relay is accessed from the lower rear of the refrigerator the relay is located in the terminal box which is located at the side of the compressor.

Before testing a compressor relay, unplug the refrigerator to avoid an electrical shock hazard. Also, if the compressor uses a capacitor, it must be discharged first to avoid the risk of electrical shock.
Beneath the terminal cover is found the compressor relay , overload protector and the electrical terminals of the compressor motor.


Remove the compressor relay by pulling it straight off from the compressor.


Pull the wire off of the side terminal of the relay. It is connected with a slip on connector. Firmly pull the connector, do not pull on the wire. You may need to use a pair of needle-nose pliers.
Inspect the connector and terminal for corrosion. If either is corroded they should be cleaned or replaced.
There are two types of relays you may encounter, wire coil and solid state. If the relay has an exposed wound wire coil it can be tested for continuity. Otherwise, the relay is of solid state design and requires specialized equipment for testing.

  • Robert Moller
    Robert Moller Jul 08, 2011

    Test the compressor relay for continuity using a multimeter. Set the multimeter to the ohms setting X1.

    With the relay upside down, place the probes into the terminals
    labeled "S" and "M". The multimeter should display a reading of zero
    ohms, indicating continuity (or if using a continuity tester, it should
    light up).



    With the probes still in place, turn the relay over. You should hear
    the click of the magnetic switch engaging. The multimeter should now
    display an ohm reading of infinity (or the tester should not light up).

    Turn the relay upside down again, place the probe on the "S" terminal and place it on the side terminal labeled "L".



    The multimeter should now display a reading of zero ohms
    (continuity). Turn the relay over and the reading should change to
    infinity.

    With the relay upside down place one probe on the "L" terminal and the other probe on terminal labeled "M".
    The multimeter should display a reading of zero ohms. Turn the relay over and the reading will stay the same, zero ohms.


    If the compressor relay does not pass all of these tests, it should be replaced.

































  • Robert Moller
    Robert Moller Oct 25, 2011

    http://www.vinotemp.com/View.aspx/4263/R...

×

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

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

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer

Frigidaire AC window unit, model fam185r2a (18,500 BTU) only cools for a few minutes before it cycles off and just fan blows. Then a few min later cool air cycles back on. Is this a thermostat issue?

The window units normally have a sensor thats attached to the front of the indoor coil. This controls the thermostat. I usually pull this sensor away from the coil because it stops cooling before the room is cool. It is attached to the cold coil so it senses the coil temp, not the room temp. You can normally see it when you remove the air filter. Don't break it! It may be a wire or small copper tube
0helpful
1answer

Cooling fan won't stop running

If you mean the radiator fan, that's normal, it cools the engine for a few minutes after you turned off the key.

If you mean the heater fan, then it might be a stuck fan relay, or the thermostat sensing the wrong temp.
0helpful
1answer

My vinotemp vt60 starts cooling then stops

I sounds to me like the compressor is overheating. There is an overload on the compressor itself. Follow the wires where they go into the compressor. There will be a black wire going from the power cord to the overload. These can be purchased at appliance parts stores. Make sure there is no dirt build up on condenser coils or a kink in the tubing.
0helpful
1answer
1helpful
1answer

Vinotemp (VT-60), cools, but doesn't turn off regardless of the temp setting. It will run, cut off for aprox 5 seconds, then continue running. Is thermostat broken? Can it be repaired?

It will either be the thermal resistor or the controller of which the electronic thermostat is a part and yes it can be repaired. It is a reasonably common and cheap fault to repair. If you go to the following link you can get the service manual FOC

http://www.vinotemp.com/Resources/Documents/VT60.pdf

and you can contact a repair company via Vinotemp at the following link

http://www.vinotemp.com/Service-Support/Repair-Companies.aspx
0helpful
1answer

Vinotemp 2 zone wine cooler flashes "Lo" on numeric display for lower compartment - will not hold temperature requested. Temp in upper compartment will not go below 67 even though it is set for 51. Room...

Not sure, but did you clean the filter in the back? Ours has that, and the temp starts creeping up every few weeks until I clean it. But we've never been able to get it below 58 or so, and in the last year, not below 60. I think that's just the nature of this type of cooling. Our house is also at 80. But, can keep it at 60 with the above cleaning.
1helpful
1answer

Works fine, but every couple of days I will notice that it will not be cooling, as the fan or compressor will not be working. I will turn the temp controler off, then back on and the compressor and fa

Check the condenser coil to make sure it is free of any dust, which will cause the compressor to overheat. The fan underneath may still be running, but until the compressor cools down it will not start.
If the unit always immediately begins running when you turn the control off and back on, then it may be you have a bad control. Have a servixe tech look at it, as you cannot repair the control...it's a throw away device.
0helpful
2answers

Compressor won't stay on...

My guess is that you have a problem with one of the following:

Start relay...this gives a quick shot to the compressor to start the cycle...if it doesn't shut it will go to overload. The capacitor in the start circuit which assists the start relay or the compressor itself. Best bet: get a service guy in.
Not finding what you are looking for?

2,678 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top VinoTemp Refrigerators Experts

ADMIN Andrew
ADMIN Andrew

Level 3 Expert

66832 Answers

Larry Ng
Larry Ng

Level 3 Expert

14561 Answers

Brad Brown

Level 3 Expert

19187 Answers

Are you a VinoTemp Refrigerator Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...