I have a Maytag PTB1953GR fridge that quit cooling a couple days ago. The compressor kicks on for about a second or two, then it sounds like a breaker clicks (maybe the thermal overload?) and the compressor shuts off for a few minutes, then the process repeats.

Hi,

Yes, remove the start device relay from the side of your compressor, make down wire the wires go first, then once its off, shake it and see if it rattles inside, if so its bad.

Here's the start device relay kit you can order:
Manufacturer part number 12002782 is RepairClinic item number 1194680
12002782

Let us know what you find.

Jake

__________________
Appliance Repair School 1987-1988
Star Appliance Tech. 2 yrs. 1988-1990
Wards Appliance Tech. 11 yrs. 1990-2001
Sears Appliance Tech. 4 yrs. 2001-Oct. 2005
Jake's Appliance Repair Nov. 2005-present

If you need more repair advice help on your appliance, click Here

Look-Up & Order Parts

Shop Home Appliances

Just to clarify. I have a part that rattles a little. It looks different from what you're showing me. The part that I have mounts where the red circle and arrow are. Is this the right part?

Attached Thumbnails

       

Yes, thats it. Yes it does look different, but according to your model# thats the replacement kit for it that I linked to it above.

If you have an ohm meter you can also check it for continuity.

It shouldn't rattle at all, so your saying it rattles a little? Is likely bad then.

Jake

__________________
Appliance Repair School 1987-1988
Star Appliance Tech. 2 yrs. 1988-1990
Wards Appliance Tech. 11 yrs. 1990-2001
Sears Appliance Tech. 4 yrs. 2001-Oct. 2005
Jake's Appliance Repair Nov. 2005-present

If you need more repair advice help on your appliance, click Here

Look-Up & Order Parts

Shop Home Appliances

I picked up the part at a local appliance shop (they had it in stock, and I've got two little boys to feed) And the instructions that came with it direct me to use wires and terminals that don't exist on my wire harness.

I took the old starter/overload unit apart and noticed that the part that rattles is identical to one of the pieces in the kit (the one in the kit does not rattle). Can I just swap that part out?

I was using the Repair Clinic website and when I looked up my model number I found the following part:

http://www.repairclinic.com/referral...1265&N=1005689

This part looks identical to the one that came off of my compressor. Is this the part I should be getting? Should I also be replacing the capacitor that plugs into the back of it?

This is the capacitor:

http://www.repairclinic.com/referral...=1265&N=674876

Yes, I didn't see that one listed, but it is the original one for your model, its ok to use that original one:
http://www.repairclinic.com/referral.asp?R=1265&N=1005689

The one I linked you too above is the replacement kit, so it will be more work/steps installing that one.

You can exchange the one I told you to get for the original one if you want.

You can get the capacitor as well.

Jake

__________________
Appliance Repair School 1987-1988
Star Appliance Tech. 2 yrs. 1988-1990
Wards Appliance Tech. 11 yrs. 1990-2001
Sears Appliance Tech. 4 yrs. 2001-Oct. 2005
Jake's Appliance Repair Nov. 2005-present

If you need more repair advice help on your appliance, click Here

Look-Up & Order Parts

Shop Home Appliances

I got the relay and thermal overload unit installed, and the fridge is running. However, if I put the cover over the relay, it does the same thing it was doing originally. Not sure why, but I think I can live knowing that cover isn't there. Shouldn't be too big of a problem should it?

Excellent, good job fixing it.

Yes, its fine to leave the cover off.

Jake

__________________
Appliance Repair School 1987-1988
Star Appliance Tech. 2 yrs. 1988-1990
Wards Appliance Tech. 11 yrs. 1990-2001
Sears Appliance Tech. 4 yrs. 2001-Oct. 2005
Jake's Appliance Repair Nov. 2005-present

If you need more repair advice help on your appliance, click Here

Look-Up & Order Parts

Shop Home Appliances