Faced with a situation where Indesit refrigerator ceases to maintain the set temperature, many owners immediately suspect a failure of the control system. Often the cause of incorrect operation of the compressor or continuous freezing cycle is the thermostat. Understanding where this element is located is the first and most important step for self-diagnosis.
The location of this component may vary significantly depending on the specific model of your unit and the type of defrosting system installed. In older models with manual defrosting and in modern systems No Frost fundamentally different installation schemes are used. It is important to understand that the thermal relay in Indesit is often integrated into the overall compressor control circuit, being in close proximity to the start relay or evaporator sensors.
Do not panic if you did not find the part immediately after removing the back cover. The design of refrigerators of this brand provides several layout options, and sometimes partial disassembly of the interior of the chamber is required to access the desired unit. In this article we will analyze in detail all possible locations and methods of detecting them.
Schematic diagram and types of thermal relays in Indesit
Before starting the search, we must clearly understand what exactly we are looking for. In refrigeration technology Indesit a thermal relay (or thermostat) acts as a regulator that opens the electrical circuit when a certain temperature is reached. However, depending on the year of manufacture and series, this name may hide devices of different designs.
Classic models use a mechanical thermostat with a capillary tube. This device is in physical contact with the evaporator or is in the air environment of the chamber, transmitting readings through a long tube of gas. In more modern modifications, especially with electronic control, the function of a thermal relay is performed by NTC sensors (thermistors), which are compact electronic components.
- 🔍 Mechanical thermostats: have an adjusting screw and a long sensitive tube, often located inside the chamber or behind the back wall.
- ❄️ Defrosters (for No Frost): responsible for turning off the defrost heater, mounted directly on the evaporator.
- ⚡ Electronic sensors: small elements with two wires, built into a plastic case or sealed in insulation.
Determining the type of your device is critically important, since the search algorithm depends on it. If you have a model with a temperature control knob inside the chamber, most likely we are talking about mechanics. If the control is digital and is located on the outer panel of the door, then a system of electronic sensors is probably installed inside.
Localization in models with a drip defrosting system
In refrigerators Indesit with a traditional drip system (where condensation periodically appears on the back wall of the main chamber), the thermal relay is most often hidden behind a plastic panel. This is done to protect the device from moisture and mechanical damage, as well as to improve the aesthetics of the internal space.
The standard placement location is the top of the refrigerator compartment, behind the decorative trim, where shelves or a lighting lamp are usually located. To get to the unit, you must carefully remove the plastic cover. It can be held on by latches or screws hidden under plugs. Be extremely careful, as the plastic in older models can be brittle.
⚠️ Attention: Before removing any plastic panels inside the refrigerator, be sure to unplug the appliance from the electrical outlet. Mechanical impact on frozen plastic can lead to its splitting, and the presence of voltage creates the risk of a short circuit.
After removing the panel, you will see a metal block or plastic case from which a corrugated tube (capillary) extends. This is the thermostat you are looking for. The tube is often secured with special clips to the wall of the evaporator. In some modifications, access to it is possible only after completely removing the shelves and drawers.
Searching for sensors in the No Frost system
The situation with searching for thermal relays in systems No Frost is radically different. There is no one big ice on the back wall, since the forced air circulation system works. The main element, which is often confused with the main thermostat, is the defrost sensor.
This element is located in the freezer compartment, behind the back panel hiding the evaporator. To gain access to it, you will have to remove all the drawers, shelves and dismantle the back wall of the freezer. Typically, the defrost sensor is inserted directly into the aluminum fins of the evaporator or secured to the tubes with clamps.
- 🧊 Location: in the lower or middle part of the freezer evaporator.
- 🔌 Design: a small cylinder or tablet with two wires, often filled with sealant.
- 🌡️ Function: turns off the defrost heating element when a certain temperature is reached, preventing overheating.
Also in the No Frost system there may be an air damper sensor that regulates the supply of cold from the freezer to the refrigerator compartment. It is located in the air duct that connects the two chambers. You can find it by disassembling the partition between the compartments, which requires a deeper disassembly of the unit.
Symptoms of a malfunction of the No Frost sensor
If the defrost sensor is “stuck”, the refrigerator may stop freezing due to freezing of the evaporator, or, conversely, will work non-stop, consuming a lot of energy. A common sign is an ice coat on the back wall of the freezer.
Electronic control: where to look for temperature sensors
Modern models Indesit with a display on the door and an electronic control unit (module) do not have mechanical thermostats. Their role is played by electronic temperature sensors, the signal from which is processed by a microprocessor. Finding such elements requires understanding the electrical circuit.
Sensors in such models are often located in special locations on the inner lining of the chambers or built into the air ducts. One sensor can monitor the temperature in the refrigerator compartment, another in the freezer, and a third can monitor the defrosting process. They look like small plastic tips with wires going deep into the structure to the main control unit.
The main control unit (board), which processes the signals, is usually located at the top of the refrigerator (behind the top cover) or at the bottom, near the compressor (behind the baseboard). This is where the wires from all the sensors go. If the refrigerator “glitches” and shows the wrong temperature, the problem may be either in the sensor itself or in oxidation of the contacts in the board connector.
| System type | Sensor/relay location | Access | Appearance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | Inside the chamber, behind the panel | Middle (remove the panel) | Block with tube and screw |
| No Frost | On the evaporator (freezer) | Complicated (disassembly) | Cylinder in aluminum fins |
| Electronic | In air ducts or walls | Different | Plastic tip with wires |
| Combined | Several control points | High | Various modifications |
Algorithm of actions during search and dismantling
The process of searching and removing a thermal relay requires consistency and accuracy. Chaotic disassembly can lead to damage to fragile evaporator tubes or plastic fasteners, the restoration of which will cost more than calling a technician.
Start with a visual inspection. Find the temperature control knob. If it is mechanical, track where the rotation axis goes - most likely, the thermostat is located directly behind it. If the control is electronic, look for where the wires enter the chamber.
☑️ Action plan for the search
When When dismantling, be sure to photograph each stage of disassembly. This will help you put everything back together correctly and avoid losing any extra screws. Pay special attention to the wire connections: before turning off the thermostat, it is better to photograph the connection diagram or mark the wires with a marker.
⚠️ Attention: Never try to bend the capillary tube of a mechanical thermostat at an acute angle. The copper from which it is made breaks easily, which will lead to freon leakage and the need for expensive refilling of the refrigerator.
Diagnostics and performance testing
After you have found the thermostat and gained access to it, you need to check whether it is really the cause of the malfunction. A simple visual inspection often does not give a complete picture, since the internal contacts can be oxidized or burn out unnoticed by the eye.
The most reliable way to check is to use a multimeter in continuity mode. For mechanical thermostats: remove the wires from the contacts, touch the probes to the terminals. At room temperature the circuit should ring (make a sound). If you put the sensor in the freezer for 15-20 minutes, the circuit should break (the sound will disappear). For electronic sensors, resistance is measured and should change with temperature.
If the multimeter shows an open circuit at room temperature (for a normally closed contact) or a short circuit that does not open in the cold, the part must be replaced. Also, a sign of a malfunction may be a melted body or a characteristic burning smell.
Frequently asked questions and answers (FAQ)
Is it possible to temporarily close thermal relay contacts so that the refrigerator starts working?
Technically, you can close the contacts, and the compressor will start in continuous mode. However, this is strictly not recommended for long-term use. Without temperature control, food in the refrigerator compartment will freeze, and a monolith of ice may form in the freezer, which will lead to compressor failure due to overload. This measure is only for short-term defrosting or transportation.
Where to buy an original thermostat for Indesit?
It is best to look for original spare parts in specialized stores of spare parts for household appliances, indicating the exact model of your refrigerator (the model is indicated on the nameplate inside the chamber). You can also use universal analogues, but it is necessary to strictly comply with the length of the capillary tube and the temperature range of operation.
Why does the refrigerator not turn on after replacing the thermostat?
Possible reasons: the wires are connected incorrectly (phase and zero or ground are reversed), the new part is faulty (defective), or the problem lies not in the thermostat, but in the starting compressor relay or the motor itself. It is also worth checking the integrity of the fuse, if it is provided for in the circuit.
How to understand that it is the thermostat that has broken down, and not the No Frost sensor?
If the refrigerator does not turn on at all and does not freeze in any chamber, most likely the problem is in the main thermostat (or its equivalent). If the freezer is working, but it’s warm in the refrigerator compartment, or vice versa, if a huge coat of ice has grown on the evaporator in the freezer, this indicates a malfunction of the defrost sensor or air damper.