FIXED GE Profile Refrigerator PGSS5NFYASS compressor doesn't start

[Zrwon]

Model Number

PGSS5NFYASS

Brand

GE

Age

More than 10 years

I checked everything and the motherboard looks perfect on both sides.
My problem is the compressor doesn't start.
When I test J15 at the motherboard I get 8.5v and the same 8.5v at the connector signal at the inverter

When I test the orange and black wire connector powering the inverter I get 175 volts, my wall outlet tests 120 volts and everything looks perfectly normal except the 175 volts that powers the inverter.
I don't want to replace the inverter until I get 119-110 volts because 175 volts might ruin the new one.

I currently have the motherboard and the inverter out and I'm wondering if I could buy a new motherboard and see if I could get 119 volts but I don't understand why I would have a higher voltage, lower or no voltage would make sense but 175 does not make sense to me.

Any good advice would be appreciated before I go buy parts.

Thanks in advance.

Al

 

[Jake]

Hi Al, I'd test the inverter first before ordering the new motherboard.

Here's a couple threads that the new inverter fixed it:

FIXED GE Profile PFCS1NJWASS freezer warm - fridge cold

FIXED GE Profile fridge/freezer not cooling

Rick has a lot of experience with these GE models with the inverters, in fact here's a good thread that he tells how to test it: FIXED GE Profile French Door Refrigerator Freezer Not working properly

Here's the inverter for your model:
GE WR49X10283 Inverter W/jumpers Kit


Here's the motherboard for your model:
GE WR55X10956 Main Control Board


Let us know what you find.

Jake

 

[Zrwon]

Thank you Jake, I ended up replacing the motherboard and the voltage powering the inverter went from 175 volts with the old motherboard to 120 volts.
I was worried that replacing the inverter and hook it up to 175 volts would damage the new inverter.
So I replaced the motherboard and the output voltage was normal and I didn't even try the old inverter because I assumed it would be defective after getting 175 volts as a feed line and motherboard fixed the high voltage and the inverter restarted the compressor and after 24 hours I had 0° in the freezer and 37° in my fridge and I'm all smile now.
I don't know why I still have 8.5 volts DC at the red and white signal coming from J15 when everything I have seen is 4-6 volts DC but it's working fine now and hopefully it will stay that way.
I'm definitely going to put a surge protection breaker in my breaker panel because I believe that is the most common reason for electronic failures.
Hopefully I can get a few more years from it.

Thanks again for your reply

Al

 

[Jake]

Glad to hear the new motherboard fixed it Al.

Thanks for the update!

I don't know why I still have 8.5 volts DC at the red and white signal coming from J15 when everything I have seen is 4-6 volts DC but it's working fine now and hopefully it will stay that way.

Yes, that's a mystery to me too.

Jake

 

[Zrwon]

Motherboard fixed the 175 volts problem but I also needed the inverter once the first problem was fixed because 175 volts fried the old inverter and the 2 part numbers you recommended were what I used to restart my fridge and I am happy to report that my temperature has been 0° in the freezer and 37° in the fridge and I can't be happier.
Thank you for the help and for suggesting the correct parts.

This site is extremely helpful.

Al

 

[Zrwon]

I should mention that I also bought a power surge protection because I believe those electronic appliances should have power surge protection and it might save a lot of problems and I have been using one for all my electronic devices. For those who have constant problems and blame the manufacturers, try surge protection and see if it helps.

Al

 

[Jake]

Glad to hear that Al, yes I always recommend Whole Home Surge Protectors to all my customers.

Jake