What usually breaks in an LG Refrigerator LDN22735

[Telkwa]

Model Number

LDN22735

Brand

LG

Age

More than 10 years

A few days ago our LG (LDN22735, manufactured 2006) started making "tick" noises every few minutes. Next day we realized food was getting warm.
Long story short, the LG has been banished from the kitchen. It's out on the porch.

I talked with several locals who sell and/or repair appliances. They all said LG's and Samsungs are very unreliable. Two of them told me that LG's last about 10 years so we lucked out to get 15.

My question to the community - is there a clear pattern to LG failures? Is it the electronics? Or the nuts-and-bolts compressor, fan, etc.?

I'm thinking about trying to fix the LG but wondering if it'd just be good money after bad.

 

[jeff1]

Hi,

Not always but often a bad compressor.

if it'd just be good money after bad

Own a boat?
Your old refrigerator might make a good anchor!

JMO!

jeff sr

 

[Telkwa]

Hi, jeff 1 -
We own a couple of kayaks, but they don't come with anchors.

First things first - if the compressor is dead, does that mean there's no point in going further?

I have no experience fixing refrigerators, so I'm likely to miss things that would be obvious to you guys. I've been googling around, looking for clues.

One YouTuber showed how he pulled the start relay out, then used a multimeter to check for continuity across the three pins coming out of the compressor. Any pair of pins that showed open circuit meant the compressor motor had failed. He also checked all three pins against the body of the compressor, looking for dead shorts.

When my wife and I were trying to troubleshoot we noticed the compressor was warm, but it didn't seem to be doing anything. We listened to the compressor, using a piece of metal like a doctor would use a stethoscope. Never heard it making noise inside, and we never saw it shake on its rubber feet like it was starting up. I feel stupid here because I don't know what I'd be observing if I was looking at a healthy compressor.

I have a theory as to the "tick" noise the old fridge is making. Could be a bad theory. Watching YouTube, I saw how the start relay has a "run" leg and a "start" leg. Also I think I understand how there's overload protection in case the compressor won't start. I'm wondering if our compressor won't start, and the loud tick I've been hearing is the overload circuit tripping out?

This morning I'm gonna check the compressor pins as described above.

Last night I typed in the exact model of Embraco compressor (EGU 70HLC) but got no hits. What are the chances of finding a replacement for a 16 year old compressor?

EDIT: After reading about how the evaporator fan can fail, I plugged in the LG. Ours is a bottom freezer. There's ducting high up on the back wall of the freezer section. I could feel air blowing out of the ducts and hear a fan whirring. Does that mean the evaporator fan is probably OK?

 

[Telkwa]

Test mode?
I'm reading about a test button on the LG circuit board. Can't find a button. When did this Test Mode feature become available on LG's? Ours was built in 2006.

 

[jeff1]

First things first - if the compressor is dead, does that mean there's no point in going further?

For a DIY'er, yes.
For an appliance tech could easily be $800+ to replace an compressor.

I'm reading about a test button on the LG circuit board.

Most/many don't work. Wouldn't "test" the compressor anyways.

JMO!

jeff sr.

 

[Telkwa]

Thanks jeff1 -

So, if LG's have a poor track record, why does Consumer Reports keep rating them highly?

And why does Best Buy/Home Depot carry so many LG's?

Something's fishy

 

[jeff1]

So, if LG's have a poor track record, why does Consumer Reports keep rating them highly?

The only thing we can think of is they pay for the most advertising...

And why does Best Buy/Home Depot carry so many LG's?

Best Buy is an electronics store.
Home depot is a lumber store.
Nuff said

jeff sr.