History:
Unit slowly stopped make temp in both frig and freezer over the course of a week. Diagnostic screen showed that the Frig defrost sensor was bad. I replaced the sensor and cleared the fault. Only seemed to make matters worse. Freezer eventually rose to ambient and frig would not make it below 59deg F. Compressor and Comp fan were running but at what seemed to be a considerable lower level then typical. You can’t tell the comp is running unless you get behind the unit and down by the comp bay. When new, the unit was quite noisy and there was no mistaking when the unit was on high. I used the manual diagnostics to force the compressor to hi-F1/med-F2/low-F3. The output does change, but someone needs to have a hand on the compressor to tell the difference. I tested the windings on the motor and none were shorted, so I replaced the inventor board even though the diagnostic LED was solid. No change. The comp signal coming off the main control board was only at 2.0vdc, so I changed the MCB. No change. Current comp signal on new MCB is 2.1vdc. I would like to test the out of the invertor but don’t have a service information on the output voltage. I was ready to think the compressor must be bad but I looked at the unit status indicators and got some very confusing data. First both the >92deg (Overload) and <72deg ambient condition are both active. I am not sure how this happens unless the sensor is bad and even then it should fail high or low. Next it shows the compressor as “Off” when it is running. It also shows both defrost heaters as active when the unit temp is at ambient. I have a picture of the status display if you provide an email to send or place to post. Thank.
– Replaced Frig Temp Sensor
– Replaced Inverter Board
– Replaced Main Control Board
- Guest asked 6 years ago
Hello
I would start by running the unit through the diagnostic mode to see if there are any stored error codes. Have you looked at the evaporator in the freezer for an even frost pattern ? This sounds like it may have a sealed system issue. If your evaporator has an uneven frost pattern it has a low refrigerant charge. Matt Ace technician
- AV Repair Help answered 6 years ago
-
As stated above, the diagnostic mode is clear. No errors present. There is no frost on the Freezer evaporator and the freezer is sitting at ambient temperature. Do these units typically have a diagnostic for low pressure cutout? If it is a refrigerant leak should I see some oil residue near one of the evaporators, switching valve, or compressor. If it is a refrigerant leak should the issue not be getting progressively worse ? The frig has maintained at 59deg for nearly two weeks and the compressor is running on a very low state. Is it possible for the windings on the DC motor to wear down without failing? I am use to a compressor simply not running or going into overload if there is a motor or comp fails. It would have seemed to be a control issue but I have changed both boarded. Additional, can you give me any feedback on my comments on the status display? Can I send the photo somewhere for your review? Thanks for the help.
-
Hello These units do not have a low-pressure refrigerant control on them. The diverter valve can be put in the neutral position for equalized refrigerant pressure. If you are not cooling in fresh food or freezer section and the evaporator fan, condenser fan and compressor are running, you have a sealed system issue. More than likely a refrigerant leak. We in these situations replace the filter dryer with a UV (Ultra Violet) dryer and recharge unit. You can then come back with a UV light to find the refrigerant leak, in 90% of the cases leaks are in the evaporator. With the small amount of refrigerant in the system 99% of the time you will not see any oil or residue. It needs to be confirmed with a UV light. Matt Ace technician
- You must login to reply
Please login first to submit.
