Hi,

this is just to share my experience:

Kenmore 253, 26', side by side, manufactured 05/2003.

We've had it since July 2003, and yesterday evening, the unit started making a buzzing sound, every 3-5 minutes for 5-15 seconds.

Thanks to Al Gore for inventing the Internet , otherwise the Sears Tech would've left my house today, without haven't gotten to the root cause. Seriously, thanks to Jake's and other blogs, with my research I could make a good case for a failing compressor based on these symptoms:
1. unit's fan runs, but no cooling occurs in either freezer or fridge
2. unit runs for hours without stopping and without cooling
3. cool air blows from the bottom front part
4. the beforementioned buzzing sound

Another symptom was that at some point, I'd realize that the unit was actually cooling, the buzzing sound gone, and warmer air blowing from the bottom front part, until it at some point it would fail again.

This told me that the relay is still functional, because once it fries, that's it. It also told me that since everything BUT the compressor seems to be running, that in fact it must be the compressor at fault.

The tech showed up, and the unit was running fine at that time. He insisted that once a compressor fails, that's it, i.e. there's no such thing as 'it runs / doesn't run intermittently'. He tried to make a case for a dysfunctional thermostat, which logically couldn't be the case by my book. He suggested arguments for a blown thermostat which actually later were arguments for a failing compressor. I argued that all points to a failing compressor, but he replied that he can't just replace it when it hasn't failed yet. Ok.

He then started packing up, when I unplugged the power, and plugged the cable back in after a minute. I wanted to get the unit showing the symptoms, and it DID. The tech realized then that indeed the compressor is not running.

Luckily I still had the sales receipt in order to claim the 5-year warranty on the compressor and labor. I'm now waiting for the part to be delivered and installed.

Thanks!

Excellent, good job spommere, in knowing what to do to let the tech. know it needed a new compressor.

Jake

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

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