Modern two-chamber refrigerators Atlant are complex technical devices where each element plays a critical role in maintaining food freshness. When you notice that food in the refrigerator compartment is freezing or, conversely, starting to quickly deteriorate, the first suspicious element is the thermoregulation system. Understanding exactly where the temperature sensor is located is the key to independently diagnosing faults without calling a technician.
In most models of the Belarusian manufacturer, thermostat or electronic sensor is hidden from the user's eyes, which creates the illusion of inaccessibility. However, the design of these units is designed so that maintenance is possible with a minimum set of tools and knowledge. In this article we will analyze in detail the architecture of refrigeration chambers Atlant and indicate the exact locations of the temperature control elements.
It is important to immediately note that the approach to the search will depend on type of control for your refrigerator. Mechanical models with a rotary knob and electronic versions with a display have fundamentally different layouts of control elements. In electronic models, the sensor is often integrated into the air duct or hidden behind a decorative panel, while in mechanical models it can be placed directly inside the chamber. Accurately determining the modification of your unit is the first step to success.
The fundamental difference between a thermostat and an air sensor
Before you start disassembling, you need to clearly understand what exactly we are looking for. Refrigerators Atlant can use two types of temperature control devices: a mechanical thermostat and an electronic air sensor (thermistor). Mechanical thermoregulator is a device with a bellows tube that responds to changes in freon pressure inside the tube, transmitting a signal to open or close the compressor contacts.
Electronic sensor (thermistor) is a small element that changes its electrical resistance depending on the ambient temperature. Such devices are typical for systems No Frost and models with electronic control. They are more accurate, but also more sensitive to moisture and mechanical damage. An error in determining the type of device may lead to the purchase of an unsuitable spare part.
⚠️ Attention: In some models Atlant with the No Frost system, several sensors can be used: one to control the temperature in the chamber, the other to control the evaporator. They cannot be confused, since they have different operating temperature ranges.
The location of these elements is also radically different. While the thermostat in older models is often located outside the housing or in a special box inside the chamber, thermistors are usually hidden in technological niches. For correct diagnosis, you will need a multimeter to check the resistance of the circuit, but first the device must be found and removed.
Localization of the sensor in the fridge compartment of mechanical models
In classic two-chamber refrigerators Atlant with mechanical control (where the temperature is controlled by a rotary knob from 1 to 7), the thermostat is most often located inside refrigeration chamber. The standard installation location is the upper right corner. Here you can see the plastic case in which the regulator knob is mounted. It is under this handle that the main mechanism is hidden.
To get to the insides, it is not necessary to immediately dismantle the entire block. Often it is enough to carefully remove the plastic handle itself by pulling it towards you and unscrew the fastening screws under it. After removing the decorative trim, access to thermostatopens. A long capillary tube will extend from it, which goes deep into the chamber wall or is attached to the evaporator.
- 🔍 Inspect the right wall of the chamber: sometimes the sensor is hidden behind a plastic plug without a visible adjustment knob.
- 🔧 Check for availability fastening screws: they can be hidden under stickers or decorative elements.
- ❄️ Pay attention to the bellows tube: it should not have kinks or traces of corrosion.
In some modifications, especially built-in series, the thermostat can be placed outside the chamber, in the upper part of the refrigerator body, above the door. In this case, you will only see the hole inside the camera through which the sensor tube passes. To access such a device, you will need to remove the top cover of the refrigerator, which is a more labor-intensive procedure.
Searching for a thermistor in models with electronic control
Refrigerators Atlant with electronic control and a display on the door are more complicated. There is no usual bellows tube, and control is carried out by a compact one. In such models, the air temperature sensor is most often hidden behind the back wall of the refrigerator compartment or in a special plastic casing that closes the air circulation system. thermistor. In such models, the air temperature sensor is most often hidden behind the back wall of the refrigerator compartment or in a special plastic casing that covers the air circulation system.
To access the sensor in models with No Frost partial disassembly of the internal space is often required. It is necessary to empty the chamber of products, remove the shelves and dismantle the back panel (if it is plastic) or find a technological hole. The sensor can be attached to the air duct through which cold air is supplied to the chamber. It is easy to recognize by its small plastic tip and two wires going into the harness.
Sometimes manufacturers place the sensor in the area of the lampshade. The light bulb and sensor can be combined in one structural element or located in close proximity. If you remove the lampshade and see a small element with wires attached to the wall, this is the thermistor you are looking for. Be careful when removing, the wires may be short.
☑️ Check before replacing the sensor
Sensors in the freezer compartment and the No Frost system
The freezer compartment deserves special attention, especially in the systems No Frost. Here the temperature is controlled separately, and the sensor is often located directly on the evaporator, which is hidden behind the rear panel. To get to it, in most cases you need to completely defrost the refrigerator and remove the back wall of the freezer covering the radiator.
On the evaporator itself, the sensor is usually fixed in a special socket or pressed with a metal bracket. It controls the freezing temperature of the condensate and the activation of the defrost heating element. If this defrost sensor fails, the refrigerator may stop freezing or, conversely, become overgrown with a “coat” of ice. In two-chamber models Atlant access to this unit is often through the freezer compartment from below.
| Sensor type | Location | Symptoms of malfunction |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator thermostat | Under the adjustment knob or above the door | The refrigerator does not turn off or turn on |
| Air thermistor | Air duct or rear wall | Incorrect temperature display on the display |
| Defrost sensor | On the evaporator (behind the rear wall) | Ice build-up, icy fur coat |
| Freezer chamber sensor | Inside the freezer, near the evaporator | Food is melting or refreezing |
It is important to understand that in the No Frost system there can be two sensors: one monitors the air temperature, the second monitors the evaporator temperature to control the defrost cycle. Erroneous replacement of one sensor instead of another will lead to incorrect operation of the algorithms compressor control. Always check the markings on the body of the part with the catalog number.
Algorithm for dismantling and checking serviceability
After you have determined where the temperature sensor is located in your refrigerator Atlant, you need to carry out its diagnosis. The main safety rule is to completely disconnect the device from the power supply. Even a short-term short circuit of the wires under voltage can damage the electronic control module, the repair of which will cost much more than replacing the sensor.
To check the mechanical thermostat, it can be excluded from the circuit by connecting the wires directly (for the compressor startup test), but for an accurate diagnosis you need a continuity test at different temperatures. Electronic sensors are tested by measuring resistance. Normal resistance at room temperature is usually a few kilo-ohms, but the exact values vary by model. When cooled (for example, in a glass of water with ice), the resistance should change.
- 🌡️ Cool the sensor: place it in a cold environment and watch the multimeter readings change.
- 🔌 Check the integrity of the wires: often a break occurs not in the sensor itself, but at the point where the wire enters housing.
- 🧹 Clean the contacts: oxidation of the terminals can give false indications of a malfunction.
⚠️ Attention: When installing a new sensor, make sure that the bellows tube of the mechanical thermostat does not touch sharp metal edges or hot parts of the compressor. This can lead to depressurization and leakage of freon.
If the test shows that the sensor does not respond to temperature changes or the resistance does not change, it must be replaced. Buy original spare parts or high-quality analogues specifically designed for refrigerators Atlant. Cheap Chinese analogues may have a different temperature curve, which will lead to incorrect operation of the refrigerator.
What will happen if you install a sensor from a different model?
Using a sensor with a different temperature coefficient will lead to the refrigerator operating in abnormal mode. The compressor may turn on too often (wear and tear) or infrequently (food spoilage). In No Frost systems, a failure of the defrost system is possible, which will lead to complete freezing of the evaporator and the cessation of refrigeration production in 1-2 weeks.
Typical mistakes during self-repair
Independent repair of refrigeration equipment is a process that requires accuracy. One of the most common mistakes is damage to the capillary tube when trying to remove a “stuck” thermostat. The tube is very thin and fragile. If you feel strong resistance, do not pull sharply; it is better to treat the fastening area with warm water or carefully trim the old seal.
Another common mistake is ignoring the tightness. The exit point of the sensor tube through the wall of the refrigerator must be carefully sealed. If you leave a gap, warm, moist air from the room will penetrate inside, causing the entrance to freeze and damage the thermal insulation. Use special sealants or plasticine to restore the seal.
Also, users often forget to check the condition of the wire insulation. Under low temperature and vibration conditions, the insulation may crack, causing a short circuit. It is better to solder all connections and insulate them with heat shrink, and not just twist them. Reliable contact in the refrigerator is the key to long service life of the compressor.
Is it possible to temporarily operate a refrigerator with a faulty sensor?
Operation is possible, but with limitations. If the thermostat fails, the refrigerator can be turned on and off manually, monitoring the temperature using an external thermometer. However, leaving it in this mode for a long period of time is dangerous: you risk defrosting food or overheating the compressor due to too short operating cycles.
Why doesn’t the new sensor solve the problem?
If replacing the sensor did not help, the problem may be in the control module, which does not read the readings correctly, or in a freon leak. It is also possible that the wire in the harness that goes from the camera to the control unit may break. It is necessary to carry out comprehensive diagnostics of the entire electrical circuit.
Where to buy an original sensor for Atlant?
Original spare parts are best purchased from authorized service centers of the brand or specialized refrigeration equipment stores. There are many fakes on the market that are identical in appearance but have different technical characteristics. When purchasing, request a certificate of conformity or a receipt.