Without the compressor, your refrigerator can’t properly perform its cooling functions. The compressor is the heart of your refrigerator, it allows the flow of hot/warm and cold air in your refrigerator. The compressor sucks the warm air and compresses the cold air or refrigerant inside your refrigerator.
I know lots of people would be thinking “should the refrigerator compressor be warm”. Therefore in this article, we would briefly discuss issues that might arise from compressor warm overheating issues.
What is Compressor Warm
Your Compressor needs to stay warm often but at a temperature between 50-85°F. Anything above this will cause the compressor of your refrigerator to overheat. If your compressor is having to work too hard and it’s causing an overheating problem then something is wrong somewhere.
And since there is a walk-around on how to control your refrigerator compressor warm to avoid overheating, we have decided to put this article together to learn how to handle and fix the compressor warm at home.
Faulty Temperature Thermostat
The main function of a thermostat in your refrigerator is to regulate the parts that sense temperature and it maintains the temperature close to the desired level. Therefore when the temperature thermostat is faulty, then the compressor would have to work harder to maintain these temperatures which might eventually lead to overheating if not fixed immediately.
Well, you can try to fix the thermostat of your refrigerator yourself if you have technical knowledge with wiring or other appliances. But if you don’t have proper knowledge then you should probably call a professional. If you would like to fix it yourself, let us discuss how can replace a faulty thermostat.
Depending on the type of refrigerator you use and the serial number, you can order a new thermostat from various online stores such as eBay, BestBuy, Amazon, etc., Or after you must have removed the thermostat you can simply purchase it from a nearby local shop vendor.
Switch off and unplug your refrigerator from a power source, locate the adjustment knob, then pull it off and if there is a set of screws holding it, then use your screwdriver to unbolt the screws.
After removing the knob control, remove the thermostat housing, to avoid making mistakes when fixing the new thermostat you can take pictures and also pay proper attention to the wiring.
Now remove the brackets and insulations, and disconnect the wires. Then install the new thermostat, replace the brackets and insulations and correctly reconnect the wires.
Reinstall the housing and avoid clamping the wires, then turn on your refrigerator and check out if this solves the issue of Compressor Warm overheating issues.
Compressor Low on Refrigerant
A Refrigerant is a fluid that transforms from liquid to gas through the compressor. The compressor sucks warm or hot air inside your refrigerator. At the same time, it compresses this hot air and passes it out after being cooled by the refrigerant into cold air.
Therefore when your refrigerator is low on refrigerant, then the refrigerator would not get as cold as it should be and this would be a heavy burden for the compressor, as it would need to work more to balance this operation and this could make your compressor to develop overheating problems.
Condenser Fan Not Working
The function of the condenser fan is to circulate air to help to cool down the compressor. Therefore when the condenser fan is faulty it would limit airflow and there would be no external air to help cool the compressor.
Usually when the condenser fan stops working then you have to replace it or test it with a multimeter to make sure that there is no problem with the wiring of the fan. To use the multimeter, set it to ohms, then attach the leads to the motor leads.
- To replace the condenser fans of your refrigerator, kindly purchase them from a local vendor shop as they are quite cheap and affordable.
- Then unscrew the old fan and disconnect all the wires
- Remove the old fan and set the new one properly connect the wires and bolt it properly to the fan stand.
After fixing a new fan, then test the fan to see if it is now working properly.
Clogged Condenser Coil
A condenser is a heat exchanger, and the function of a Condenser is to condense gas into a liquid through cooling. Therefore heat is passed on to the surroundings. Condensers are placed at the back of all Refrigerators and they get rid of heat which is pulled out from the interior of the unit to the outside air.
Therefore when the condenser coils are clogged it could cause your compressor warm and overheating. Debris and dirt from your home or environment must have been accumulated on the compressor coils.
How to Clean Clogged Condenser Coil
You can try to clean the condenser coils of your Refrigerator by yourself, we would show you an easy way to clean the condenser coils, which is effective on all types of refrigerators.
- Unplug your refrigerator from any connected source of power.
- Then allow the compressor to cool for a while to avoid injury.
- Then move the refrigerator away from the wall so that you can easily access the coils near the bottom of your refrigerator.
- Now remove the back panel of the refrigerator with the appropriate screwdriver, depending on the nut or you can also use an Allen key wrench.
- The condenser coil is located near the bottom of the refrigerator and if you found out that it is covered with dust, you should use a soft brush to remove the debris.
Also, make sure you place an eye for punctures or marks which can cause a leak or clog in the coil. If leaks or clogs are found then it’s best to replace the condenser oils or you can also call a professional to help you seal the leaks using the appropriate tool or equipment.
Clogged Capillary Tube
The refrigerant passes through the capillary tube, it is a thin piece of tube that acts as an expansion device. If the Capillary tube gets clogged then would be no passage of refrigerant. As the gasses would stay in the compressor and this can cause Compressor Warm to overheat.
Compressor Low on Lubricant
Most people don’t know that compressors use lubricant oils, well the compressor needs oil to properly function. Compressors often reach a high temperature and lubricants will eventually get decreased. Therefore without enough lubricant, the compressor would begin to overheat although this might take a long time and this can even spoil the compressor.
If you have tried all the various steps that we listed above then you should replace the compressor of your refrigerator. You should call a professional to check out the issue.
Refrigerator is Placed On The Sunny Side
Make sure not to place your refrigerator in a sunny area, it should be placed in a shady area or have it well covered and ventilated to keep it cool always.
Auto Defrost System Not Functioning
If the automatic defrosts on your refrigerator is not properly functioning, it could cause the compressor to stop working. Therefore make sure the auto defrost system of your refrigerator is properly functioning at all times.
However, the auto defroster is also being controlled by a thermostat, sensor, and wiring. Therefore if there is any issue with the defroster make sure you get a professional to help you solve these issues.
In conclusion, you can test the wiring of your Compressor from the sensor using a multimeter. Also, make sure you have a stable source of power supply so they don’t cause your compressor warm overheating issues. Generally, it’s best to seek help from a professional to help you with solving compressor warm overheating issues.