Author Topic: GE profile fridge repair not going so well! (Read 10929 times)

Ronyeager · « **on:** June 11, 2011, 07:45:46 PM »

Hello, so I have a customer that knows I am a appliance repair man in training and he gave me a shot to fix his fridge anyhow. Yesterday I ended up replacing the heater, I am certain that was bad. but, today it shut off again and melted all his ice cream and his food is going bad.

This GE model actually does not have a main board that I am aware of. I got a hold of the timer and turned it so it would kick out of defrost mode and the fridge kicked on, but, only for a few minutes then shut off. I repeated the process and the same thing happened until it shut off all together. I could not get it to kick back on even when screwing with the timer.

I was thinking it could be the start relay, but, I am not hearing any clicking noise which would usually indicate that it is bad. I do not want to just guess on parts and I need to have this thing fixed by monday if I can. If someone could PLEASE give me some insight on what my problem is here I would really appreciate it.

Thanks, and since I am learning all this stuff I will be posting more questions then answers on this site. Sorry for being such a burden!

Model TPX21PRDABB

jumptrout51 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 11, 2011, 08:38:12 PM »

First, calm down.
Second,analyze what is wrong.
You have power to the unit.
That is good.
The power goes to the defrost timer and cold control,then to the compressor and condenser fan motor.
You can ohm the cold control to see if it is Good or not.
If no good,jump it out for test only,to see if the compressor and fan motor come on.
If you have power to the compressor start relay and it does not run,ohm the compressor terminals on CSR to see if it is shorted or open.
If the compressor reads OK,replace the start relay.
If no power to the compressor and the cold control is OK or jumped out,suspect a bad defrost timer.
Why was the heater replaced?

Ronyeager · « **Reply #2 on:** June 11, 2011, 08:45:37 PM »

The heater was replaced because there was a bunch of frost on the coils and I checked the heater with multimeter and I got no reading. Just by looking at the heater I looked like it was blown out. btw, I am not sure I know how to check the compressor like you explained. How do I check the cold control?

AJ · « **Reply #3 on:** June 11, 2011, 08:47:03 PM »

Looks like JT has you pointed in the right direction.

Quote

Thanks, and since I am learning all this stuff I will be posting more questions then answers on this site. Sorry for being such a burden!

That's what we are here for. After you get some experience you can return the favor by helping answer questions, until then feel free to ask all the questions you want.

JWWebster · « **Reply #4 on:** June 11, 2011, 08:54:12 PM »

Just jump the cold control's 2 live wires to see if she runs

Ronyeager · « **Reply #5 on:** June 11, 2011, 08:58:46 PM »

Okay, I see where you guys are going with this. But, to ensure I don't blow anything up. By jumping the cold control I am really just by passing the cold control, correct? Also, exactly how do I accomplish doing that? Just track down the proper wires and wire nut them together?

jumptrout51 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 11, 2011, 08:59:22 PM »

Quote from: Ronyeager on June 11, 2011, 08:45:37 PM

The heater was replaced because there was a bunch of frost on the coils and I checked the heater with multimeter and I got no reading. Just by looking at the heater I looked like it was blown out. btw, I am not sure I know how to check the compressor like you explained. How do I check the cold control?

The cold control is the Off/On thermostat and has 2 wires going to it.
Unplug the fridge.
Remove the 2 wires from the cc and jump them together.
Plug the box back in.
Check for power at the compressor/fan motor.
If they come on and run OK,replace the cold control.
If they do not come on,turn the defrost timer to make sure it is not stuck in defrost.
If still no power,replace the defrost timer.

jumptrout51 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 11, 2011, 09:01:03 PM »

Your power goes to the CC first then to #3 terminal on the timer and out to the compressor on #4.

Ronyeager · « **Reply #8 on:** June 11, 2011, 09:05:05 PM »

okay I think I am getting cold control confused with the defrost thermostat in the freezer. The cold control should be next to the timer on the fridge side, right? or is the cold control that same thing as the round defrost thermostat in the freezer side? Just trying to put it all together

jumptrout51 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 11, 2011, 09:07:50 PM »

The cold control is the Off/On thermostat and has 2 wires going to it.

jumptrout51 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 11, 2011, 09:13:58 PM »

I re-read your original post. You may not have a problem other than impatience.
Many GE refrigerators may try to start,then shut off and re-start.
If you kept turning the timer,the compressor may have gone out on overload.
Let it sit for 15 minutes,then try a re-start.

Ronyeager · « **Reply #11 on:** June 11, 2011, 09:40:02 PM »

Ya, I can get it to come back on, when I wait for a while and restart the fridge. But, then it will eventually shut off again. This is day two of this fridge shutting down long enough to melt all the food in the freezer, then it does usually turn back on, but, it is totally unpredictable.

jumptrout51 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 12, 2011, 06:02:37 AM »

When it shuts down,ohm the cold control. If it is open and will not close,replace it.

Is the condenser fan motor working OK?

rickgburton · « **Reply #13 on:** June 12, 2011, 08:23:47 AM »

GE had a lot of problems with those rotory compressors. You can identify which ones they were by the "X" in the model number.

Ronyeager · « **Reply #14 on:** June 13, 2011, 07:09:55 PM »

Ya the condenser fan is working fine, it seems. I am starting to learn what makes what tick inside a fridge, but, just having problems figuring out what is wrong with what. I think I have been measuring ohms incorrectly, which does not help at all.

When I have an appliance at my house I can take my time and figure out what is wrong with it. But, now people are interested in having me go to their house and fix it. I have come to learn that I need a lot of training. Anyone know of any good training courses for appliance repair??

AJ · « **Reply #15 on:** June 13, 2011, 07:18:03 PM »

Scroll through the list of manuals at this URL. There are some self study guides that you maybe interested in reading..

http://appliancedigest.com/index.php?/files/category/9-miscellaneous-service-manuals/

I also recommend this book. Seem to be the newest book you can find now days on appliance repair.

http://www.amazon.com/Troubleshooting-Repairing-Major-Appliances-2nd/dp/0071481486/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308010634&sr=8-1

jumptrout51 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 16, 2011, 06:58:59 PM »

Did you get this box working?

rickgburton · « **Reply #17 on:** June 16, 2011, 08:00:46 PM »

This is a pretty basic refrigerator. In the last five or six years I've see 1 maybe 2 of those cold controls go bad and usually freezing things in the refrigeration. I've never seen one intermittent like that. If the only thing you have done so far is replace the defrost heater then look at the compressor as being the cause of your problem. FYI: When a compressor becomes inefficient or the system has a restriction in it the evaporator can have a build up of frost on it but it won't be even and it won't cover the entire evaporator. A bad evaporator fan motor can and will cause the evaporator to frost up also.

Ronyeager · « **Reply #18 on:** June 17, 2011, 05:34:00 PM »

Nope, never got it going. I buy and sell used appliances for the most part so I ended up replacing the fridge with one that I had that worked.
I started buying broken appliances in effort to learn appliance repair and the ones i get working I sell and buy more. But, Ill tell you if it isn't just an easy fix I am lost. I am improving everyday and I really appreciate you guys and your feedback. I am hoping I can go fulltime into appliance repair some day soon, I just need to keep learning.
It would be nice if I could find a company that would be willing to work with me for a little bit while I learn the ins and outs a little better. Any ideas? I am willing to relocate for this, so if anyone has a lead I will pursue it.

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Author Topic: GE profile fridge repair not going so well! (Read 10929 times)