My fridge stopped working...I got a screwdriver ...where do I start

[HipChick]

I can't afford $250 just for a repairman to install a $30 part..

The fridge no longer cools..its warm..it is making a humming sound, just no cold..

First I have to slid it out of position..What is next?

[Tuesday Afternoon]

1. UNplug IT!!

[ohiosmith]

2. Could be the compressor. If it's an older model the coolant may be freon which can be dangerous.

[Kali]

3. wrap it in blankets and fill it with other cold stuff, it is probably dead. (presuming condensor

coils are clean and all that) refrigerators are one appliance that is rarely do-it-yourself

check craigslist for a good used one. you can find an older model for around a $100. cheaper than a repair and if it works it will likely work for several more years.

[turtlerescue1]

4. Call the maker.

Do you have the part?

Can't remember the name, online, but had to replace a thing on the thermostat. It walked me through it.
since I can't get the link to show: www.repairclinic.com/refrigerator

[Swede]

5. Check google and youtube for tips on the make and model of the fridge.

It may be a common fault.

[Xipe Totec]

6. You may want to tighten the screw in your head first...

[pinboy3niner]

7. Take screwdriver...insert in brain

But seriously, your compadres here will help you to fix it. You've already garnered some good suggestions, and more will follow. Hey, this is the LOUNGE--we'll fix ANYTHING--and you're guaranteed to laugh while doing it.

[4_TN_TITANS]

16. "we'll fix ANYTHING" - translation: pass the duct tape and coathangers.

[OriginalGeek]

8. If you know the part and model

there's a good chance you can find a video on youtube that shows how to do it.


I'm the least handy man around and I took my dryer apart and put on a new belt just from watching how to do it on the youtubes. I was proud of myself - the belt was like 6 bucks. The repair guy wanted a hundred.

I don't think a dryer belt is as hard as a fridge compressor but ya never know until ya look.

Good luck!

[struggle4progress]

9. (1) Vacuum the coils (2) Unload it if its jam packed and then put stuff back in so cool air

can actually circulate inside the various compartments (3) Call the frickin repair man

[littlewolf]

10. beat me to it ... that is what was wrong with mine ...

the coils were under the fridge .. instead of behind ... so took a brush
and cleaned it out .... works great ....

[Autumn]

11. Take shelves out, lay it on it's side( unplug it first)

fill with lots of ice, put your stuff in and close the door and that should do it.

Seriously, there are sites that can give you an idea what part you might need. just google the problem. That's how I fixed my flat screen. I paid 17 bucks for the parts and bought a soldering gun and it worked.

[HopeHoops]

12. Sometimes it is as simple as moving stuff around in the freezer.

If the vents in the back are blocked, the icemaker will stop working almost immediately. The refrigerator portion is dependent on the freezer portion. By now it is likely the stuff in the freezer has thawed to above the safe temperature so cleaning it out would be a good first step.

If it's worse that's not the cause, try http://www.repairclinic.com for help. They have a "live chat" button and parts for damn near any major appliance you might own.

[Kaleva]

13. How did you determine which part is bad?

Often it's just a a matter of the coils (either behind the frig or at the bottom) being covered with dust and pet hair. Unplug the unit and clean as best you can.

If it's an older model and cleaning the coils doesn't work, then I usually tell folks they'd be better off buying a new, more efficient model.

[onethatcares]

14. all those upstream suggestions are fine, unless

it's an LG model of anything, then you will soon find out that life is not LG anymore.

Be prepared to go to BOA, in order to obtain a bit of TARP, so you can fix or replace

your not so LG cooling apparatus.

and yes, it's gonna hurt.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

15. Save a few of the ice cubes

You'll need them for that screwdriver.

Cheers!

Then, get a brush, clean the coils (probably under the fridge)

[mikeytherat]

17. Find the make and model number for the 'fridge, then go here:

PartSelect:

http://www.partselect.com/

Enter the make and model numbers, and you'll get advice on what is wrong, and what you'll need to fix it. And they deliver FAST! I ordered a belt for a clothes dryer that I had shipped 2-3 business day, and it arrived overnight.

mikey_the_rat

PS
If you can't find the make and model, the PartSelect website can help you locate that info!

[amuse bouche]

18. Is the freezer cold and the frig warm?

That happens all the time in older models because the freezer coils get overloaded with ice and won't let the cold air pass from the freezer to frig. There is a damper on the ceiling of the frig where cold air passes from freezer to frig. See if the airway is blocked Defrost the freezer. Some have the coils behind a panel in the back of freezer and some have it on floor of freezer

The humming might just be the fan. That's ok

There should he a clicking every once in a while. That's the compressor turning on or off

Having refrigerator problems is a big pita.. There is a lot more info I can give you but I need the answer to my first question

I recommend always having a thermometer in the frig to monitor temp. I like ours very cold at about 34'