Compressor not coming on

**cappyd** · December 18th, 2010, 02:19 PM

Brand: Sears Kenmore

The top and bottom fans are both working. The inside light is working too.
When I plug the refrigerator in the wall both fans immediately start running and never stop. The compressor does absolutely nothing. The only sound in that area is coming from the fan. (Seems to me anyway)

I've read a ton of threads on this site. Most people say they hear the compressor humming or something clicks or they say it gets hot but never comes on. Mine seems to be dead silent.
I took off the start-relay I think. (the white box mounted on the compressor).
I shook it hoping to hear something rattle. Nothing rattled.
I put it back on and searched for anything obvious. There are no burnt wires anywhere inside or out of the refrigerator.

-Do compressors just die this way? No burned wires, humming, or warning.
-Is there anything else that can stop the compressor from starting while the fan and lights have power?
-The start-relay(white box on compressor) didn't make a sound when I shook it and it looked good. Can it still be bad?
- Can the thermostat or anything up top be bad and make the compressor not come on?
-Is there any troubleshooting or testing I can do before I throw it out?
This is day 2 of indoor camping but I'd hate to buy a new refrigerator if I didn't have to.
This is an awesome site I'm so glad I found. Thanks in advance for any information.

This part here is probably useless information but I just wanted to give you any details you may need.
The thermostat must be working (I guess) because both fans come on and when I turn the thermostat off then both fans go off.
The coils on the bottom were dirty but not clogged.
I have always noticed in the past that when the refrigerator was running and I opened the a door the top fan would stop blowing. I just assumed it was normal because it's done that for years.

***Jake*** · December 18th, 2010, 10:08 PM

You'd need a ohm meter to ohm the compressor start relay for continuity with the refrigerator unplugged.

Its very rare a compressor is just dead, did you feel the compressor to see if its warm? Or cold?

Jake

**cappyd** · December 19th, 2010, 05:22 AM

When I plugged in the refrigerator with the back taken off I did feel the compressor.
I was within 6 or 8 inches listening for any click and feeling for a change in temperature. The compressor never got hot or cold and never made a sound.
The only sound in the area was a very faint vibration that seemed to be the fan that's close by.

***Jake*** · December 19th, 2010, 10:09 AM

Do you have a volt/ohm meter? for this issue you will need one to find out what the problem is.

Jake

**cappyd** · December 19th, 2010, 10:28 AM

Yes I have a multimeter.
I don't have a clue how to use it correctly.
I set the ohm to beep and pulled the start relay off to test. I pulled off the blue, white, and red wires. When I touch either prong (where blue and white wires plug in) and touch either hole on the other side (holes that connect it to the compressor)(not talking about the red wire at all here) I get a beep.
I can touch where the white wire goes on one side and touch either hole on the other side and it still beeps.

When I touch where the red wire connects and touch the hole on the other side I get no beep at all.
I thought that I should get a beep if I touched one side and the corresponding hole on the other side.
I'm searching around right now trying to find the correct way to do this.

***Jake*** · December 19th, 2010, 11:44 AM

The proper way is with the wires removed from the compressor start relay, just put your meter probes in the holes where it mounts on the compressor, you will have 2 holes that are parallel and 1 hole separate, put your meter probes in the 2 parallel holes.

Jake

**cappyd** · December 19th, 2010, 11:49 AM

I did that exactly. The 2 holes were connected through the relay.(they beeped)
Even if I cross them up from one side to the other I still get a beep.

***Jake*** · December 19th, 2010, 12:29 PM

Ok, then thats fine.

So now its likely your electric defrost board thats bad, since the fans are coming on but not the compressor.

Here's the one for your model you can order:
Manufacturer's Number: 2304099

Your ADC is located in the console control panel#12 that mounts on your refrigerator section ceiling, its #4 here:
http://c.searspartsdirect.com/lis_pn...3003-00002.png
Just remove the console control panel#12 and the whole assembly drops down abit, then you can access the ADC board.

The console control panel has 2 screws on each side of it that mounts up into the ceiling.

Jake

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