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Frigidaire Freezer - FFU17FC4AW - Not Freezing Anymore

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Posted: Sun Feb 1st, 2009 09:34 pm

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Timboroni
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I have a Frigidaire Freezer (Model #FFU17FC4AW) that is not working properly. About 2 days ago we went to take something out and found that everything was pretty much thawed. I remembered that something like this happened on a family member's freezer and it was the defrost thermostat. I opened the inside panel expecting to find a big chunk of ice but I didn't - everything was clear. So that ruled out the defrost thermostat and the defrost element. I then went to the back of the freezer to check out the defrost timer and that appears to be working. I turned it so that everything shut off, and then about 30 minutes later I found that the inside fan was blowing again, but it was just some semi-cool air.
I turned the timer knob slowly all the way around and the compressor never went on. Should it have? I read that this could mean that either the compressor is NG or that there may be a problem with the overload and relay.

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

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Posted: Sun Feb 1st, 2009 09:39 pm

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RegUS_PatOff
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Timboroni wrote: ... I read that this could mean that either the compressor is NG or that there may be a problem with the overload and relay...
correct

depending on the missing (last) digit of your model number, I could post a link to your parts manual

Last edited on Sun Feb 1st, 2009 09:40 pm by RegUS_PatOff

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Posted: Sun Feb 1st, 2009 09:54 pm

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Timboroni
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The complete model # is FFU17FC4AW2

Is there a way to know whether it is the compressor or the relay?

Thanks!

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Posted: Sun Feb 1st, 2009 10:01 pm

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RegUS_PatOff
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FFU17FC4AW2 Parts Manual

some bad Start Relays rattle if you shake them.

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Posted: Sun Feb 1st, 2009 10:24 pm

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Samurai Appliance Repair Man
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More detailed relay check 'em out ratcheer:

http://fixitnow.com/wp/2005/12/01/refrigerator-warming-up-and-makes-an-occasional-clicking-noise/

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Posted: Mon Feb 2nd, 2009 04:36 am

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Timboroni
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OK. The Super Bowl is over, so it's back to business!

I checked out the freezer diagram as well as the link to the refrigerator issue. The pictures in the fridge explanation mention the compressor relay and overload, but I don't see either of those parts listed. I'm guessing that part #30 (controller) and part #55 (capacitor-run) are the relay and overload. Is that correct? If so, which would be the one that would "rattle" if shaken?

Thanks.

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Posted: Mon Feb 2nd, 2009 04:57 am

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RegUS_PatOff
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yes, "Controller" # 30

click on picture

and if you could OHM the resistance between the (3) connection of the Compressor.

They should be 3 to 5 OHMS between any combination

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Posted: Mon Feb 2nd, 2009 04:03 pm

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Timboroni
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Well, I popped the controller off and gave it a shake and it sounded like a maraca - which I believe is a good thing since it means the compressor is OK, right?

I'm going to pick up a new one today and we'll see what happens.

Thanks again!

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Posted: Fri Feb 6th, 2009 04:12 am

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Timboroni
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Success! I ordered my part from RepairClinic and installed it this morning. When I came home from work everything was frozen!

Thanks again to everyone who helped me out. This site is the best! More "beer money" on the way!

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Posted: Fri Feb 6th, 2009 04:23 am

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RegUS_PatOff
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Posted: Mon May 2nd, 2011 01:17 am

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Timboroni
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Well, here we are a little over two years later and my freezer is acting up again. Last week we had a "thaw", so I checked out the defrost timer and advanced it to the "off" position. A little while later I checked it out and it was blowing cold air. We waited a few days and everything seemed fine, so we started putting food back, in between patting me on the back (

). Yesterday my wife noticed that things were mushy again and I was no longer a genius (

). The timer appeared to be moving, but I noticed that the compressor was very hot. I unplugged the unit, then I pulled off the controller I replaced two years ago and noticed that it was "rattling" again.

Before I go out and replace the controller again, I was wondering if the "stuck" timer, which I had "un-stuck", would have caused this, or does the hot compressor point to something else.

Thanks.

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Posted: Tue May 3rd, 2011 12:56 am

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ourstocks2002
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Why do you say that the timer was "stuck"? You noted that it was advancing.

If the relay is bad (it appears that you have the PTC style which rattles), then the compressor was likely trying to start but couldn't due to the failed start relay - start winding not energized. When the compressor gets power at rest, it draws the LRA (locked rotor amps). It draws the LRA for a fraction of a second until the motor starts to move and is no longer in a "locked rotor" state. The amps drop off to about 1/4-1/6th the LRA value when running. If the start winding is not energized (bad start relay), the compressor sits "locked rotor" drawing the high LRA which causes the compressor to get hot.

There are other reasons for the compressor to get hot too, burn't condenser motor (you appear to have a natural convection condenser so bad condenser motor would not apply), dirty condenser, freezer operating after a defrost cycle - high cooling load, or freezer door open for a long period of time and/or product added that needs to be cooled - also high cooling load. Considering the rattle in your relay, I would suspect the LRA causing the overheating/hot compressor.

I hope this helps!

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Posted: Tue May 3rd, 2011 04:37 am

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Timboroni
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I guess I should have said that it "appeared stuck". I wasn't getting any cooling, but when I advanced the timer to the defrost cycle, it went back into cooling mode and everything started working again. I thought that if it had been stuck in cooling mode for an extended period that the result would have been a lack of cooling. Four days later it stopped working again and this time it stayed that way.

I've ordered a new controller so we'll see what happens.

Thanks for the detailed explanation!

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Posted: Wed May 4th, 2011 01:59 am

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The Seven
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This is not the freezer forum !?

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Posted: Fri May 6th, 2011 01:57 am

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Samurai Appliance Repair Man
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The Seven wrote:
This is not the freezer forum !?

Eggzellent, The Seven, you have passed my little test. You may now graduate to the new, improved Samurai Appliance Repair Forum==> http://www.appliantology.org

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