Thread: Kenmore SxS Fridge - Bad relay or compressor?

jbaker7 wrote:

It sounds like a bad compressor relay - but if so would the compressor come on periodically fora few seconds, and would itget hot?

It could try to come on but fail to actually start running, eventually cutting out on the overload protector. Like running your car engine on the starter rather than it actually getting started. That could take a few seconds.

If allowed to continue in that fashion, the compressor would get hotter then normal. In such a case it should be disconnected from power or damage to the compressor can be done ($$$+).

If it is the relay (2255198), do I need a new capacitor (999532) too?

Only if it is defective, capacitor don't fail vary often. But replacing the overload protector at the same time would usually be prudent. I also might recommend going to the 'service replacement' relay and overload (see the link below) rather than the original.

LINK > Kenmore 106.54689300 Relay/Overload Service Replacement

JMO

Dan O.
Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site
=D~~~~~~

jbaker7 wrote:

they said their system shows parts only on the compressor after 1 year. However, my user guide clearly shows parts and labor, so they said show it to the technician.

All the model 106 made by whirlpool have a 5 yr. part and labor warranty on the sealed system which includes the compressor, but not the relay.

Only 1 yr. part and labor on the relay.



Dan, that link comes up as a blank page on my internet explorer 6 browser.

Jake

On http://www3.sears.com I found the service compressor relay/overload (4387835). Will that fit on the production compressor and use theproduction capacitor?It is a little cheaper (29.99)than the production compressor relay (2255198). Why do you recommend that one?

John

jbaker7 wrote:

Why do you recommend that one?

For some reason the production relays don't seen to stand up very well. Hopefully the service replacement would be better.

Dan O.
Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site
=D~~~~~~

Jake wrote:

Dan, that link comes up as a blank page on my internet explorer 6 browser.

It's working for me now in both Firefox and IE 6. Maybe the web site was just down? Can you try it again?

Dan O.

I found a local parts place with the service compressor relay/overload kityou linked to (the link is now back up again). I didn't see a way to use it with my original capacitor and they didn't have the service capacitor in stock, so ended up ordering the original production relay/overload. Hopefully that will do it.

Thanks for the tips!

John

Replaced the overload/compressor relay today (2255198), so far works great. Empty freezer dropped from ~60F to 32F within about 20 minutes. Fridge side (full of 60F food) is cooling more slowly.

Since I had the cardboard off the back bottom at first to check the compressor, the fan in the back wasn't able to do it's job cooling the condenser coils and the freon line was hot all the way up into the fridge. Once there was a little airflow it cooled right down and all seems well.

This may be elsewhere on the site, but in case someone searching here has a fan problem:

Once my condenser cooling fan in the bottom back failed and the fridge/freezer wasn't cooling enough; the compressor was running and was rather hot. The fridge was also hot on the front between the 2 SxS doors - apparently this model runs the condenser line through there to prevent condensation.

All you need to do on this model while waiting for the new fan motor is add a little fan blowing into the right bottom of the front of the fridge to keep those coils cool. The airflow goes in the front right bottom, through the coils, through the fan in the back over to the left side, over the drip tray and out the front left bottom. It doesn't take a whole lot of airflow to make a huge performance difference.

John