Finding where exactly it is located The thermostat in the refrigerator is often the first step towards troubleshooting temperature-related problems on your own. If your unit stops turning off, runs without interruption, or, conversely, does not turn on at all, the reason often lies in this small but critical control element. Understanding the design of the device allows you to quickly diagnose the problem and, in some cases, avoid an expensive call to the technician.
The location thermostat directly depends on the type of control system of your model: mechanical or electronic. In older and budget models, this unit is usually located inside the refrigerator compartment, hidden behind a plastic handle or decorative trim. In modern devices with a No Frost system and electronic control, sensors can be built into the walls of the chamber or located behind the rear panel, which requires more complex access.
Before you begin disassembling, you need to clearly understand what kind of design you are dealing with. Incorrect determination of the installation location can lead to damage to the plastic elements of the housing or a violation of the tightness of the system. In this article we will analyze in detail all possible options for localizing the sensor depending on the brand and type of refrigerator.
Principle of operation and types of thermostats
The thermostat, or thermostat, is the main control element that controls the operation of the compressor. Its main task is to close and open the electrical circuit depending on the temperature inside the chambers. When the air heats above a set value, the contacts close, starting the motor. When the desired cold is reached, the circuit opens and the compressor rests. Without this device, the refrigerator would operate continuously, which would lead to food freezing and motor failure.
There are two main types of these devices, and their locations are significantly different. Mechanical thermostats are a sealed capsule with gas or liquid connected to a bellows. The capillary tube coming from the body is inserted directly into the evaporator or attached to it. Electronic temperature sensors (thermistors) work on the principle of changing resistance depending on heat and do not have moving mechanical parts, which makes them more compact, but difficult to diagnose without special equipment.
Mechanics vs Electronics
what Difference?: Mechanical thermostats make a characteristic click when turning on and off, and may also hum slightly during operation. Electronic sensors operate absolutely silently, and temperature control is carried out through the display on the external door.
It is important to understand that in No Frost systems the thermostat is often only responsible for turning off the compressor, while a separate sensor is responsible for the defrosting process. This means that even if the refrigerator is cold, the problem may not be with the main thermostat, but with the defrost system. Accurate diagnosis requires knowledge of the circuitry of a specific device.
Location in refrigerators with mechanical control
In classic models of refrigerators, such as many series Atlant, Indesit or old ones Beko, the thermostat is almost always located inside the refrigerator compartment. This is done for the convenience of the user: the temperature control knob is displayed on the panel, and the thermostat body itself is hidden under it. To get to it, it is not necessary to completely disassemble the unit; it is enough to remove the plastic controls.
Usually the thermostat is attached to the inner wall of the chamber or to the ceiling of the refrigerator. A long capillary tube extends from its body, the end of which (the “sensitive flask”) is inserted into the evaporator. If you see a knob with numbers 1 through 7 inside the camera, you know that the item you're looking for is right behind it. In some models, for example, in refrigerators Stinol, it can be hidden behind a decorative trim above the door.
When dismantling a mechanical thermostat, you should be extremely careful with the capillary tube. It must not be bent at an acute angle or damaged, as freon leakage from the bellows will make the part inoperable. Replacement should be made with a similar model with identical markings, since the on and off parameters for different thermostats may differ.
Where to look for the sensor in No Frost systems and electronics
In refrigerators with a No Frost system, the situation is complicated by the fact that there is no open evaporator inside the chamber - it is hidden behind the rear plastic panel. Consequently, the temperature sensors here are located in hidden places. Their main location is the space behind the back wall of the refrigerator compartment, near the evaporator. To access them, partial disassembly of the internal volume is required.
Often, such models use not one, but several sensors. One controls the air temperature in the chamber, the other monitors the state of the evaporator to control defrost, the third may be in the freshness zone. In refrigerators LG and Samsung with electronic control, sensors are often mounted in special seats in plastic or inserted into holes in the evaporator and filled with sealant.
If your refrigerator is equipped with a display on the door, then there is no physical thermostat knob inside the chamber. In this case, control is carried out through an electronic module, and the temperature signal comes from thermistors. They are checked with a multimeter by measuring the resistance, since a visual inspection rarely gives the result - a burnt sensor looks the same as a working one.
⚠️ Attention: In No Frost refrigerators, access to sensors often requires defrosting the unit for 24 hours. An attempt to tear off a frozen plastic panel by force will lead to breakage of the fastening pins or damage to the air ducts.
Specific placement in popular brands
Different manufacturers use their own engineering solutions to place control automation. Knowing the specifics of a particular brand can save you an hour of searching. Below is a table systematizing data on the most common brands of household appliances.
| Refrigerator brand | Typical location | Access features |
|---|---|---|
| Atlant, Minsk | Inside the chamber, on the left at the top | The plastic cover with the handle is removed |
| Indesit, Ariston | Inside, under the lamp shade or separately | Often combined with the lighting lamp |
| Beko | Inside, left or right at the top | Requires removal of the decorative cover |
| LG, Samsung (No Frost) | Behind the back panel inside the chamber | Requires complete defrosting and disassembly |
| Stinol | Above the door, behind the decorative strip | The top plastic one is removed bar |
In refrigerators Indesit there is often a design where the thermostat and the light bulb are located in the same housing under a common shade. Once you remove the dome light, you will see the thermostat on the side. In models Atlant classic series, the thermostat is mounted on a bracket, and the tube is inserted into the evaporator channel through a hole in the rear wall.
Premium-class equipment is characterized by the use of complex systems with several sensors. For example, in two-compressor models, thermostats (or sensors) will be located in each compartment independently. This allows you to maintain different temperature conditions in the refrigerator and freezer compartments without mutual influence.
Removing and checking the serviceability of the thermostat
After you have determined where the thermostat is located in your refrigerator, it must be removed for inspection. The dismantling process always begins with disconnecting the device from the power supply. This is a basic safety rule, ignoring which can lead to electric shock.
For mechanical thermostats, the algorithm of actions is as follows:
- 🔧 Remove the temperature control knob (pull it towards you or unscrew the screw).
- 🔧 Remove the decorative trim or shade that hides the body.
- 🔧 Disconnect the wires from the terminals, first remembering their location.
- 🔧 Carefully pull out the thermostat housing and release the capillary tube from the channel.
Checking a mechanical device is possible at home using a multimeter in dial mode. At room temperature, the contacts should be closed (unless it is a defrost thermostat that opens when heated). If you put the sensor in the freezer for 15 minutes, the contacts should open (or close, depending on the type). Lack of response indicates a malfunction.
☑️ Checklist before replacing the thermostat
Frequent errors when searching and replacing
The most common mistake is trying to find the thermostat from the outside, on the back wall of the refrigerator near the compressor. There is a start relay and a safety device, but not a thermostat. The confusion arises due to the fact that wires from the thermostat are connected to the relay, but the control element itself is located inside the chamber or behind the panel.
Another mistake is ignoring the markings. Thermostats have an alphanumeric code (for example, TAM-133 or K-59). Installing a part with a different temperature range will result in the refrigerator either not turning off or not being able to reach the desired temperature. Always check the codes when purchasing a spare part.
⚠️ Attention: Never check the tightness of the capillary tube of a mechanical thermostat by heating with an open fire. This could cause the bellows to explode and fly into pieces. Use only warm water for testing.
Also, users often forget that in electronic refrigerators the “thermostat” is not one part, but a chain of sensors. Replacing one air temperature sensor may not solve the problem if the defrost sensor or the sensor in the fresh zone is faulty. Diagnostics must be comprehensive.
Final recommendations for maintenance
Regular maintenance of the thermal control system extends the life of the refrigerator. Once a year, it is recommended to check the tightness of the capillary tube to the evaporator (in available models). If the contact is broken, the thermostat will “lie”, reading the temperature of the air, and not the surface of the evaporator