Major breakdowns of INDESIT refrigerators

Typical malfunctions and their causes

The main malfunctions of Indesit refrigerators that most often occur with them can be presented in the following list:

• The lower chamber does not freeze (ice forms on the walls).
• The refrigerator does not defrost in any of the modes specified in the instructions.
• The upper (cooling) chamber does not work.
• The engine makes a loud noise, but the unit itself does not turn on.
• Its compressor does not start or does not turn off.

When searching for the sources of each of the identified faults, specialists are guided by special techniques. The reasons may be completely different, but in some cases some of them coincide. So, if the freezer stopped cooling and began to form a layer of snow on the walls, this means that the reason should be sought in the failure of one of the working units.

Most often, such a malfunction is associated with the following elements:

• An evaporator heating element operating on the principle of heat transfer to the environment.
• Refrigeration unit compressor.
• Damaged thermostat requiring urgent replacement.

Please note: A faulty thermostat may cause the refrigerator to stop defrosting.

That is, in each specific case the cause of the breakdown is determined individually, taking into account its exact location.

Possible problems

Main components of the unit:

• motor-compressor;
• evaporator;
• fan;
• heating element;
• thermostat;
• start-protection relay;
• refrigerant lines;
• air channels between the walls of the refrigerator.

Each of these structural elements can fail, as a result of which the refrigerator or freezer stops working or, conversely, functions at the limit of its capabilities, but does not turn off. The nature of the breakdown of any equipment (and Indesit units) allows us to determine the likely malfunction. In this case, specific symptoms often appear, but if they are uncharacteristic (inherent in other problems in the operation of the refrigerator), you need to invite a specialist.

Start protection relay is faulty

This unit is located on the side of the housing. Its main task is to control the operation of the motor-compressor. The principle is the following: the relay is responsible for distributing energy to the motor windings; this unit operates in conjunction with a temperature sensor. When the chamber becomes warm/cold, the relay starts or turns off the motor-compressor.

In the event of a breakdown, 2 operating modes are possible: the No Frost unit does not cool or functions without shutting down. One of the reasons for the relay to turn off is the appearance of carbon deposits on the motor contacts. You need to understand how to test a relay. A test device is used for this. It is necessary to determine the resistance of the circuit, and also check the condition of the electromagnetic switch.

Freezer not freezing

If it has been noticed that the performance of the refrigerator has decreased, and the lower chamber does not freeze, 2 reasons are suggested: a malfunction of the thermostat, a violation of the integrity of the routes through which freon passes. In the first case, the motor-compressor does not start when the temperature in the freezer changes to the limit value and becomes warmer.

Sometimes the reason that the refrigerator has stopped freezing is microdamage to the refrigerant tube.

In this case, the motor-compressor turns on more often or works constantly, because in this way it compensates for the lack of freon, which gradually evaporates through invisible cracks. A more obvious reason that the Indesit refrigerator does not freeze well is the incorrect installation of the sealing circuit during replacement.

View » Start-up protection relay of the refrigerator for the compressor: performance check, connection diagram, how to remove and change it yourself

Unpleasant odors

The unit can turn on and operate normally. A smell in an Indesit two-chamber refrigerator is not always a consequence of a malfunction; it happens that this is caused by improper operation. It is necessary to defrost the unit, while it is disconnected from the power supply. Take out the food and wash the chambers using citric acid or soda.

If the smell soon reappears, and at the same time the food quickly deteriorates, the refrigerating chamber of the No Frost unit does not work. Moreover, the compressor may start, but does not perform its function due to a malfunction of the associated components: relay, temperature sensor.

The refrigerator is not freezing

Freezer problems are the “Achilles heel” of any modern refrigerator and therefore require special consideration. The reason that it stopped freezing ice could be:

• A refrigerant (freon) leak, due to which the system may need to be refilled with this carrier over time.
• Failure of the thermostat or cooling radiator;
• Malfunction of the electric heating element of the evaporator included in the defrosting system.

Trying to fix these problems yourself can be very difficult. Only a specialist can identify the exact reason why the refrigerator stopped freezing and repair the unit. Moreover, he always has the necessary spare parts at his disposal.

In addition, freezers often stop working due to a breakdown of the temperature sensor built into the system, a clogged drain hole, or severe wear of the rubber door seal.

Video: INDESIT No Frost refrigerator repair, defrost thermostat (sensor)

About refrigerators

The brand of household appliances from Italy has rightfully earned a reputation as reliable, functional, very efficient, which simply works regardless of the intensity of its use, the chosen model or the size of your family, always ensuring a stable temperature inside.
But it, especially after the end of the warranty period, can deteriorate. And then the most efficient repair of the Indesit refrigerator at home turns from a wish into task number one. Therefore, we choose the best one from various offers.

Problems with individual models

To get acquainted with typical faults, let's look at the Indesit R600A refrigerator/freezer from Belarus, which is in demand among consumers. Troubles also occur with this Indesit model, identified by the following criteria:

• The appearance of specific odors in the upper chamber, which means a freon leak.
• Fan malfunction.
• The defrost heating element and other factors do not work.

These signs are only a small part of the typical malfunctions, to which should be added dangerous breakdowns such as failure of the thermostat or compressor.

To deal with all the problems discussed, you will need an electrical circuit for the refrigerator.

Additional information: You can find such an electrical circuit either in the operating instructions or on the Internet, where there is more than enough information on refrigerators.

Another product that often experiences similar problems is the ST167 two-chamber refrigerator.

Replacement of non-working elements

If faulty elements of the working circuit of the Indesit refrigerator are detected, it will require partial disassembly, during which the failed device is dismantled. Most often, it turns out to be a starting relay that controls the start of the compressor or a thermostat, the malfunction of which will cause the freezing to weaken. A malfunction of the fan, which evenly distributes cooled air throughout the freezer, leads to this result.

During repairs, special attention is paid to the thermal relay; if it breaks down, the refrigerator either does not turn on or starts working without interruption. In this case, you will need to remove the relay from the unit, for which you first remove the special casing under which it is hidden.

Please note: This element can be located in different places of the body (both inside the camera and outside it).

Its malfunction is also judged by the state of the indicator located on top of the front panel of the refrigerator. Usually, in this case, the built-in LED either does not light up at all, or the device itself does not react in any way to turning the adjustment knob brought out. To replace this element, you need to dismantle it (after disconnecting the unit from the network), and then install a new device in its place.

Indesit refrigerator repair

Why does the Indesit refrigerator not freeze or cool?

You can talk a lot about the repair of Indesit refrigerators, and 1 article is clearly not enough for this, since this brand produces not only a large number of models, but also refrigerators with different thawing or freezing systems (here, whoever wants it is called it). I will try to succinctly talk about each of these systems, but I will still pay more attention to the crying defrosting system, since today these are perhaps the most common refrigeration units in the homes of residents of the former Soviet Union, I will pay special attention to automation, because these are the faults associated with a thermostat or relay, you can fix it yourself; as for freon leaks or replacing the motor, in such cases you cannot do without the help of a specialist. Another important point is related to the engine, that is, the compressor; the main thing here is to correctly diagnose its breakdown. It often happens that at first glance the motor has failed, but in the end it turns out that this part is completely working. Now, after making a small introductory part, you can start looking for the reasons for the malfunction of your refrigerator

Repair of two-chamber Indesit refrigerators with drip defrosting system

In more than 50%, the thermostat or relay fails, but the real scourge for these refrigerators is freon leakage in the foamed part of the body. Below I will try to list all the faults that are associated with this defrosting system. Here I would immediately like to note that if the technician has identified a freon leak in your refrigerator and recommends that you install a weeping evaporator on the back wall of the refrigerator compartment, then it is advisable to agree with this, there is no need to be greedy. This is true, a small digression, but to the point, and now I will list everything that can break down in your refrigerator

1. Engine start relay - In this case, the engine simply does not start or starts for a few seconds
2. The refrigerator motor burned out - The signs are the same as in the first point, plus if you hear a barely noticeable hum of the engine, then most likely it has failed, read about the rest below
3. Freon leak - No cold in the refrigerator compartment or frost in the freezer
4. Capillary clogged - The same as in the previous case, that is, in point 3
5. The thermostat is broken - The refrigerator does not turn on or operates in the wrong mode

Next we will look at everything in order and first of all let’s start with the most important thing, that is, with the start-up relay and the refrigerator compressor

The engine start relay or compressor has failed

Indesit refrigerators use two types of motors, a compressor from ACC and the Denfos brand, both motors, in my opinion, have proven themselves to work quite well, but they still have their drawbacks. The fact is that they are afraid of overvoltage and because of this they often fail. Here we can note the following: it is no longer the manufacturer’s fault, but the consumer’s, who, out of ignorance or stinginess, did not install a current stabilizer; as a result, the motor receives a low or high voltage. Now look at what happens to the relay in cases of low voltage, it turns on the motor, but the engine cannot start or starts for a few seconds, because the relay is triggered, that is, it cuts off the engine from the electrical circuit, as a result of repeated switching off and on, the relay can go out out of order, and the engine too. Another reason why the start relay may burn out is overheating of the compressor from long-term operation. If you are an ordinary user, then in your case, I would do the following operation. Remove the relay from the engine and take it to the workshop so that the technician can connect it to a known working motor-compressor, then it will be clear whether this spare part is working or not. Below you can watch a video that tells you how to check the relay and motor on Indesit refrigerators

Now let’s add a little more to this paragraph. It happens that the engine runs for an hour or 2, but after it is turned off by the thermostat, the compressor cannot start, this is more due to the overheating of the engine and therefore until it cools down, it will not work. There is only one reason: the piston is glued to the compressor and such a malfunction can only be corrected by changing the engine. In general, if the refrigerator engine does not start, then first of all remove the relay and take it to a workshop; a less-than-smart technician will immediately determine the breakdown. It is very important, do not poke the plug into the socket every 5 seconds, this cannot be done, the minimum interval between turning off and turning on must be at least 10 minutes

The Indesit two-chamber refrigerator stopped freezing and cooling

Here it is, the biggest crap in two-chamber refrigerators with a drip defrosting system. As you guessed, we will talk about a freon leak and a clogged capillary. If the injection tube, that is, the capillary, is clogged, then first of all you need to look at the heat exchanger, this is a metal grille at the back of the refrigerator, it is also called a condenser or radiator. In general, it is advisable to check how this heat exchanger heats up; if two rolls are very hot to the touch and the rest are cold, then most likely we are talking about a clogged filter or capillary tube. Without a specialist, you will not be able to make such repairs yourself. For complete accuracy of the picture, it is necessary to bleed the gas from the system, drop the air pressure into it and look at the passage of the capillary tube at the outlet. If at the outlet of the capillary the air blows well, that is, as it should, then it is necessary to insert a weeping evaporator. I showed a clear example of such work in the video, which you can watch below, but now let's look at the signs that there is a freon leak in the refrigerator

1. The temperature in the refrigerator compartment has increased
2. On the back wall of the refrigerator compartment there is a swelling of the plastic, that is, the so-called popper, you can easily determine this by pressing on the plastic, if there is free space under it, then 100% it is necessary to install a crying evaporator
3. Very low temperature in the freezer compartment and insufficient temperature to switch off in the refrigerator compartment
4. There is an unpleasant smell of oil
5. Refrigerator won't turn off
6. In the corner on the back wall of the refrigerator compartment, there is frost, that is, a block of ice

Watch the video. What to do if there is no cold in the upper compartment of the Indesit refrigerator

Above, I listed how to determine the problem if your refrigerator has a leak. Here we need to add the following: freon has no odor, it smells like oil and therefore it is practically impossible to smell a leak. Now, we’ll talk about how craftsmen calculate leaks in visible places. First of all, you need to touch the radiator tubes near the engine; if there are oily places, then it is likely that the freon has come out exactly where you found this muck. You also need to pay attention to the intermediate strip between the refrigerator and freezer, if it is very rusty and smells of oil, then it is quite possible that the leak occurred right here, it happens in 10% of 100. The fact is that behind this strip there is a defrost circuit, this a metal tube through which the refrigerant circulates, it heats up the iron bar, look at the photo below, this is done in order to remove condensation from under the rubber band

The Indesit refrigerator turned off and will not turn on again

First of all, you need to check the thermostat correctly. On Indesit refrigerators with a crying defrosting system, there is a “super freeze” function, this is a button that, when pressed, your refrigerator can work for weeks without turning off, with its help the motor is connected directly without a thermostat. To begin with, if there is such a button, try clicking on it, look at the photo below, if this button is not there, then we will do the following procedure

We need to get to the thermostat, remove the top cover, of course, if the thermostat is in the upper part, under it you will see the spare part we need. The next step is to bridge 2 or 3 wires with each other, please note that the green wire with a yellow stripe, or vice versa, the yellow wire with a green stripe, is the grounding wire that fits the thermostat body, be sure to move it to the side, but the other two or three wires, you just need to connect them together. Before carrying out this procedure, you need to turn off the power to your refrigerator, that is, unplug it from the outlet. I made a video about this in detail, which you can watch below. Now let's look at the signs that indicate the thermostat has failed.

1. The refrigerator turned off and won’t turn on again - First of all, you need to do the procedure that I described above, that is, connect the motor directly, you can press the “super freeze” button, and if there is no such button, then you need to bridge the contacts with each other
2. The refrigerator turns on too rarely , and the temperature rises to an incorrect level - You need to do everything the same as in point 1, if the refrigerator starts, then let it work for at least an hour, during which time the required temperature should be reached in the cold storage unit. If this does not happen, call a specialist, here we will talk about either the compressor or refilling your unit
3. The refrigerator does not turn off - In most cases, in this situation, it is not the thermostat that is to blame, but a freon leak. Here you need to understand that the thermostat will turn off the refrigerator only if the required temperature is present in the refrigerator compartment, usually no higher than 6 - 7 degrees. Do the following, completely defrost your refrigeration unit, then turn on the refrigerator for 2 hours, do not forget to put a thermometer in the cold room, if after 2 hours there is not at least 7-8 plus in the refrigerator compartment, then call a technician. The thermostat clearly has nothing to do with it
4. The light in the refrigerator compartment is on, but the motor does not work - do the same as I wrote in point 1
5. A lot of ice accumulates on the back wall of the refrigerator compartment - A very common problem associated with improper operation. The point is that in this case you need to set the correct mode. With this malfunction, the following occurs: a very small range of engine operation and rest, as a result, the condensate does not have time to melt and drain into the drain channel. Try increasing the temperature with the thermostat knob, but without fanaticism, so that the unit can turn off. For example, if it was set to 2, then set it to 2.5 and listen for the compressor to turn off

Watch a video on how to check and replace the thermostat of an Indesit refrigerator

Now let's see what thermostats are used in Indesit two-chamber refrigerators

1. K 59 - Suitable for almost any model of Indesit two-chamber refrigerators. There is no need to look at the modifications of this thermostat, it is important for you that the length of the thermostat tube is sufficient, but otherwise they do not have any differences
2. There 133 is practically the same as K-59, it will fit in exactly the same way to any model of a two-chamber refrigerator, the main thing is that the thermostat tube is long enough, here you need to look at the modification. The fact is that these thermostats are available in different lengths, from 50 cm to 2.5 m
3. There 145 - Usually found on two-chamber refrigerators Indesit No Frost

At this point, I consider the topic of thermostats closed, of course there are still nuances associated with this detail, but it is simply impossible to describe everything in one article, I think I will soon post material dedicated to this particular malfunction

Repair your Indesit No Frost refrigerator yourself

The story about the crying system took up too much space, so I’ll have to write about No Frost in Indesit in another article, but now I’ll try to briefly tell you about the most common malfunctions of these units. Repairing such refrigerators is quite simple; it consists of replacing the automation, not individually, but as a whole. When similar cold coolers began to be produced, I, as a little experienced master in this matter, first changed the sensors and then the timers, but as a result I came to the conclusion that it was all bullshit. In short, after some time, repeats were returned to me with the same breakdowns. In general, guys, don’t be weird, and if your No Frost starts to mope, then change all the automation en masse, no need to be greedy. Be sure to watch the video about this

Watch a video on how to repair an Indesit No Frost refrigerator

Here I must add that freon leaks in these refrigeration units are very rare; in my practice I have had to fix such a nasty thing only a few times. Believe me, I have repaired hundreds of them and changed the timer and defrost sensor almost everywhere, less often I replaced the defrost heating element, it is changed in the same way as in Samsung, Lg and other brands of refrigerators. Of course, if the breakdown is associated with a leak or replacement of the heating element, then it is better to contact a good specialist, since this procedure is not easy and here you can find a hell of a lot of adventures, but as for the timer and defrost sensor, then this is quite you can do it yourself

Watch a video on how to replace the defrost element in an Indesit, Samsung, etc. refrigerator.

The Indesit No Frost refrigerator does not freeze

In the photo below, the defrost timer controls the defrosting process of the freezer evaporator. Typically, the interval between turning on the defrost heating element is from 8 to 12 hours, this depends on how long the refrigerator engine has worked, that is, the total operating time of the compressor is taken into account. By the way, a substitute for this timer could be a clock mechanism from Ariston or Stinol, here it should be noted that these are practically the same refrigerators. Checking the defrost timer is very difficult, to do this you need to create an entire structure with a bell, that is, we do the following thing. We need to connect something like an alarm to the circuit, that is, make it so that when the clock mechanism enters defrost, it will loudly signal us about it

In photo 2, the defrost sensor is a very capricious part, it’s difficult to check. The fact is that it is made on the principle of a thermostat, that is, when the temperature drops, the contacts inside this sensor close and it would seem that you pick up a multimeter and just ring it. Yes, indeed, if you remove it from the system and check it in this way, then I assure you that in 90% of cases it will work like a charm, but as soon as you put it in place, miracles will begin when turning it on and off. In general, if this sensor, when tested, shows that it is working, you should not believe it

In what cases is it necessary to change the automation?

• Ice freezing on the freezer evaporator
• There is no cold in the refrigerator compartment
• The rear grill of the refrigerator is completely hot, but there is no frost. We are talking about the capacitor that is located at the back of the refrigerator.

In principle, these are the main breakdowns that we examined in this refrigeration unit. Here it is necessary to note the following, as in any refrigerator with a No Frost system, first of all you need to get to the freezer evaporator and look at the ice freezing, if there is no ice on the freezer, then this already indicates that, most likely, there has been a leak or a clog capillary I wrote above that in refrigerators with this system, a thermostat of 145 is used. Our manufacturer did not become clever and did the most reasonable thing, the guys put here something that can be easily replaced and checked. In general, checking this thermostat is no different from checking a thermostat with a crying cooling system. In short, you need to jumper the contacts and listen to the refrigerator motor; if the motor starts working, then the thermostat needs to be changed

Malfunctions of No Frost refrigerators and methods for eliminating them

Refrigerators of the Indesit brand with a built-in No Frost system have recently gained particular popularity. Its presence allows you not to worry about defrosting the unit, which in other models has to be done regularly. In this case, there is no formation of a “coat” of ice on the internal surfaces of the chamber.

Important! Sometimes an ice crust does appear in these places, but this is usually due to problems with the system itself.

Its causes in the No Frost system are usually the following violations:

• Gradual destruction of the rubber gasket of the seal.
• The built-in fan is broken.
• The refrigerator door is left open for a long time.

This malfunction can also be judged by the error that appears on the display with the designation “F04”. The problem with the lack of automatic defrosting for the type of refrigeration unit in question may be a malfunction of the defrosting heating element (the code “F07” appears on the display or three lights glow at the same time).

Diagnosing a fan malfunction usually comes down to “continuous testing” of its power supply circuit (to determining the presence of a reliable contact on connector J6, in particular). If they are completely normal, then you should check whether the thermal fuses are intact. If all these elements are in order, the heating element itself has probably burned out, which means it is necessary to disassemble the unit and replace this part. Thus, the situation when a refrigerator with a built-in defrosting system stops freezing is one of the most difficult of all the options considered.

Please note: It is often accompanied by another manifestation - the refrigerator completely stops humming.

The most common manifestation of failure of a single-compressor Indesit is long-term operation of the unit in the on state. In addition, it may stop starting or, conversely, turn off due to large drops in the supply voltage in the network. In this case, putting it into operation is allowed only after purchasing a high-quality stabilizer that ensures reliable operation of the start-up protection device of the refrigerator.

Video: Indesit No Frost refrigerator repair

The fan in the Indesit refrigerator does not work

Using his example, we will look at the reasons for fan failure in all models of refrigerators - Indesit, Ariston or Liebherr, since their design is almost the same. You just need to decide on the type of fan in your refrigerator model:

• Axial . These are the most common models. The principle of their design is extremely simple: an impeller is placed on the motor shaft, which pushes air along the shaft. The advantage of such a cooler is simple operation and easy repair.

• Centrifugal (radial) are used infrequently. They have neither pros nor cons compared to the previous type. The main differences are size and shape. Such coolers can be installed in hard-to-reach places where axial coolers will not fit.

Possible problems:

1. Electric motor failure due to power surges. In this case, the engine needs to be changed. If the fan has stopped completely and its blades do not rotate, then it may not be the motor that is to blame, but the control electronic module . An accurate determination of the causes of such a breakdown is possible by supplying electricity to the fan, bypassing the control circuits. Before checking and replacing the unit, make sure that you have purchased the original part that fits your model.
2. Drying out of the lubricant of the electric motor bearings due to intense air currents. It is worth organizing an unscheduled inspection and updating lubricants.
3. The impeller hits the frozen ice. Many manufacturers, especially such as Indesit or Atlant, make cheap plastic impellers, which, when frozen, lose their strength. If there is too much ice, the fragile blades may burst or fall off. Fortunately, spare parts are available in any specialty store.