Need help with a LG LinearCompressor

[re5513]

^ I meant to say that the INVERTER appears to be good (output at the compressor is >200V RMS).  It also appears to me that the compressor is running, albeit very quietly when the Main PCB Test Mode 1 is selected.

Here is another look at the voltage at the pins of the Compressor (compressor not attached, just the voltage at the connector).  When the connector is attached, the compressor appears to run.

[re5513]

More follow up.  I made up a jig to safely connect the FC75LANE compressor to 120v RMS line power.  It hums quietly; however I note the following.
     1. The high pressure output does not get warm and the low pressure input does not get cold
     2. The compressor draws a whopping 0.5A when connected this way.

With the low amp reading I believe there are two possibilities.
     A. There is a seal inside the FC75LANE compressor that has failed and it is not able to achieve any kind of compression. or
     B. It is low on freon.

I would expect it to make more noise, perhaps metallic noises if it a seal had failed so next up I'll test the freon level.

Thanks again for the hint to connect it directly to line power, that was a very useful diagnostic.

Cheers,
RE5513

[houptee]

What did you find when you tapped the system?

[re5513]

The low side was about 60 psi and stable, compressor running or not running.

I pulled the compressor and noted on the bench that it had no output on the high pressure side indicative of valve failure.

I found a good deal on a NIB compressor which I installed in the unit and also put in a new inverter board.  After nitrogen fill and then deep vacuum, I filled it with the specified 4.9oz of R-134a and the fridge appeared to be back in business.

I got a call about 3 days later indicating the fridge was no longer cooling.  I looked at it again over the weekend and found a leaking schrader valve on the low pressure service port on the new compressor.  That was frustrating.  Replaced schrader valve  It appears the new compressor now may have failed.  High pressure is a steady 95 psi, low pressure is a vacuum, no cooling.  Thus, tis a puzzlement at this point.

[tcarmen]

If you didn't change the dryer and flush the high side, it has probably failed again. The compressors often leave a bunch of contamination in the system when they fail.

[re5513]

I changed the dryer and installed a fresh one with the compressor swap.  I did not flush the system so perhaps that is the issue.  My thought is that the failed schrader got the system to a low freon state and overheated the compressor causing the somewhat temperature sensitive valve in the compressor to fail.

[mdesbans]

Hello Houptee, I have an 2011 LG with a PCB # EBR733042. The compressore stopped working and I replaced it with the universal FLS075LANA compressor, and did perform the software update. I read the notice you posted about the PCB boards that need to be replaced. I could not find mine there, even though the manufactured date is old, form 2011. The new compressor does not want to start. Would you have any suggestions on what to do next? Can I test this invertor compressor? Please advise. Thanks!!!

[mdesbans]

In case it helps anyone, I replaced the PCB with one manufactured in 2019. It shows "version 2" on the lower right side of the board (my original board showed version 1). I tried to a software update on this new board, but it did not go through. After reading a few posts online, I realized it did not need to be upgraded after all because the PCB was newer and already had been programmed for the new compressor. Once I replaced the board, the new compressor started working. Best.

[pmoph71]

All, this is great news. I also have a 2011 LG fridge with the same EBR733042 board that shows version 1 in the lower right corner. If is understand correctly, a new main PCB assembly will not need to be programmed for my new compressor, right?
I'm looking at the AP5332617.

[quada]

Also trying to replace FC75LBNA but in a 795.71033.010 manufactured in 2013 with a EBR65640204 PCB.  From the sounds of it I will need a new PCB flashed with the new software. Would anyone be able to point me in the right direction to finding which PCBs would be compatible with the FLS075LANA replacement compressor?

[houptee]

I think you will need the newer version board but not sure if it has the newest software flashed on it, I would assume it should but cannot tell you for sure. It might have a decal on it that tells you the flash version.

[quada]

I think you will need the newer version board but not sure if it has the newest software flashed on it, I would assume it should but cannot tell you for sure. It might have a decal on it that tells you the flash version.

Unfortunately every EBR65640204 board I am able to find is the same version (version 3 10.12.01) as what I have in the unit already and I did confirm that mine is functioning correctly.  Do you know if I would be able to choose any PCB in the list to work with the mainboard bulletin posted above to use with the FLS075LANA?

[George227]

quada, i have the exact same fridge model and same board but they sent FC75LANE as the replacement compressor. Why are you replacing with FLSO75LANA?

[quada]

I was looking at replacing it with FLS075LANA because of the third post on this thread stating FLS075LANA is the updated compressor for FC75LBNA which is the compressor that is in the unit now.  I also didn't think you could replace a LxNA compressor with an LxNE one?

Is it the newest LG compressor version did it have a red sticker on the top?
If so you need to do a software update to the main board with the special black box programmer it looks like a jump drive.

New version LG Compressor part # TCA38091801 & Software Jig TCA35911910
Compressor has a purple decal and red decal on top warning about the software update.

FLS075LANA is the new compressor model number
It replaces these older LG/Kenmore Elite compressor versions:
FC75LBNA
FLA075LANA
FLB075LANA
FLB075LBNA

[houptee]

No you cannot mix compressors and boards between compressors that end with letter E and A. They are different control system for the inverter that drives the compressor.
The newer LG compressors that they call "Universal" are only for A compressors and require a software flash.
The older E compressors there is no universal replacement only the original one can be used and no software flash required.
Usually the E compressor has the box next to the compressor that has the inverter board inside and they did have a revision to that control board but it you just order the entire board and you get the newer version you do not flash it.
The E compressor was LGs older generation linear compressor and seemed much better than when they switched to the A which failed constantly and caused class action lawsuits etc.
The E was never part of any of those lawsuits.

[quada]

quada, i have the exact same fridge model and same board but they sent FC75LANE as the replacement compressor. Why are you replacing with FLSO75LANA?

George227, based on the information houptee just posted, do you think they sent you the wrong compressor, or do you think I have the wrong compressor in my fridge?

No you cannot mix compressors and boards between compressors that end with letter E and A. They are different control system for the inverter that drives the compressor.
The newer LG compressors that they call "Universal" are only for A compressors and require a software flash.
The older E compressors there is no universal replacement only the original one can be used and no software flash required.
Usually the E compressor has the box next to the compressor that has the inverter board inside and they did have a revision to that control board but it you just order the entire board and you get the newer version you do not flash it.
The E compressor was LGs older generation linear compressor and seemed much better than when they switched to the A which failed constantly and caused class action lawsuits etc.
The E was never part of any of those lawsuits.

houptee, you had posted a service bulletin on the first page.  Would I be able to choose any of those compressor PCBs if I purchased a new FLS075LANA?  Or would you recommend going with a FC75LANE compressor and getting a LANE compatible control board to drive it?

[houptee]

Also trying to replace FC75LBNA but in a 795.71033.010 manufactured in 2013 with a EBR65640204 PCB.  From the sounds of it I will need a new PCB flashed with the new software. Would anyone be able to point me in the right direction to finding which PCBs would be compatible with the FLS075LANA replacement compressor?

When I look that fridge up on searspartsdirect it shows compressor is
Refrigerator Compressor TCA36411702 that is the FC75LANE
So somebody probably put the wrong compressor in your fridge and possibly blew the inverter.
The inverter board is Refrigerator Compressor Control Board EBR64173902

[George227]

The board in this fridge is labeled FC75LBNA so i think Sears sent me the wrong compressor and their parts dept. is wrong on their site which has FC75LANE as replacement because you can't replace an A with an E inverter. Thanks, compressor is still in box so it's getting returned.

[quada]

Also trying to replace FC75LBNA but in a 795.71033.010 manufactured in 2013 with a EBR65640204 PCB.  From the sounds of it I will need a new PCB flashed with the new software. Would anyone be able to point me in the right direction to finding which PCBs would be compatible with the FLS075LANA replacement compressor?

When I look that fridge up on searspartsdirect it shows compressor is
Refrigerator Compressor TCA36411702 that is the FC75LANE
So somebody probably put the wrong compressor in your fridge and possibly blew the inverter.
The inverter board is Refrigerator Compressor Control Board EBR64173902

houptee, I think the searspartsdirect site may be wrong??  George227 also had a FC75LBNA compressor in his 795.71033.010 fridge -- https://lgcommunity.us.com/discussion/16743/glenn-m-george.  I also found a reddit post where someone stated there was a FC75LBNA in their 71033 fridge as well.  That would be odd if all of us had the wrong compressor put in our fridge.  I'm pretty sure that the compressor in the fridge I have has never been replaced.  Now I'm somewhat lost on what to do.  Do I get a replacement FLS075LANA and try to find a new PCB that will work with it??  Not sure how I would choose which compressor PCB to go with though??  Or do I go the route of the searspartsdirect and get a FC75LANE compressor with a LxNE compatible compressor board (EBR64173902???) to go with it???

[houptee]

Strange because Searspartsdirect Appliancepartspros and Repairclinic all show the TCA36411702 aka FC75LANE as the compressor for the Kenmore model number you have.


Do you have 2 separate control boards because the LANE has a inverter board separate from the main logic board.


The A models went to one big board on the back of fridge with large Capacitors down near the bottom of the board, that is the inverter section built into the main logic board.


So if you can post a pic of the board on the back of fridge maybe can identify what is going on.