How to adjust the TAM 133 thermostat in the refrigerator

Stable operation of the refrigeration chamber directly depends on the health of the temperature control system, the central element of which is the thermostat. The model THERE 133 is widely used in household refrigerators from various manufacturers, ensuring maintenance of the specified temperature regime. If you notice that the food has begun to freeze or, conversely, it has become too warm in the chamber, the problem often lies in incorrect settings or a malfunction of this unit.

In this manual, we will examine in detail the process of diagnosing, adjusting and replacing the thermostat so that you can restore the correct operation of the equipment on your own. Proper adjustment will extend the life of the compressor and preserve food freshness. It is important to understand that intervention in the electrical circuit requires compliance with safety precautions and precise movements.

The principle of operation and design of the TAM 133 thermostat

Thermoregulator TAM 133 is an electromechanical device that opens and closes an electrical circuit depending on the temperature of the sensitive element. Inside the housing there is a sealed capillary tube filled with freon or other working fluid that reacts to changes in thermal conditions. When the temperature drops, the liquid contracts, the pressure drops, and the contacts open, turning off the compressor.

When the temperature in the chamber rises, the liquid expands, the pressure in the capillary increases, and the mechanism closes the contacts, starting the cooling cycle. Adjustment rodconnected to the handle control on the refrigerator panel allows you to change the spring tension, thereby setting the contact threshold. Understanding this mechanism is necessary for correct diagnosis.

The main components of the device are:

• 🔹 Sealed bellows —responses to changes in the pressure of the working fluid inside the capillary.
• 🔹 Contact group —electric contacts that open the compressor power circuit.
• 🔹 Adjusting screw —allows you to adjust the response temperature range.
• 🔹 Capillary tube —a sensitive element that transmits temperature from the chamber to the bellows.

Incorrect operation of any of these elements leads to malfunctions in the cooling cycle. For example, if the contacts are burnt, the compressor may not start even at high temperatures. If the tightness of the capillary is broken, the thermostat will stop responding to changes in the environment.

Signs of malfunction and the need for adjustment

It is possible to determine that the thermostat TAM 133 requires intervention by a number of indirect signs that appear in the operation of the refrigerator. Most often, users are faced with a situation where the refrigerator runs continuously without turning off, or, conversely, turns on extremely rarely, allowing the temperature in the chamber to rise to critical values.

If you notice that an excessive ice crust forms on the back wall of the refrigerator compartment, and the food near it freezes, this is a sure sign that shutdown temperature is set too low or the thermostat does not open the contacts in time. In the opposite situation, when food quickly deteriorates and the compressor is silent, the problem may be that the contacts do not close.

⚠️ Attention: Before starting any adjustment or replacement work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. Working with live electrical components is life-threatening!

It is also worth paying attention to the nature of the click during operation. A working thermostat makes a clear, loud click when turned on and off. If the sound becomes quiet, blurry or disappears altogether, the mechanism requires replacement or deep cleaning of the contacts.

Symptoms requiring attention:

• ❄️ Continuous operation of the compressor non-stop, which leads to excessive energy consumption.
• ❄️ Lack of cooling with the fan running (if yes) and a working compressor.
• ❄️ Frequent switching on and off (clocking), which harms the compressor engine.
• ❄️ Visual damage capillary tube or thermostat housing.

Preparing for adjustment: tools and safety

To carry out high-quality thermostat adjustment THERE 133 you will need a minimum set of tools that most home craftsmen can find. The main thing is to provide access to the thermostat itself, which is usually hidden under a plastic panel or located inside the refrigerator compartment.

Before starting work, make sure that you have free space around the refrigerator and good lighting. Do not forget to prepare a container to collect possible drops of moisture that may form when the evaporator defrosts during dismantling. Accuracy is a key success factor.

Required tools:

• 🔧 Screwdrivers (cross and flat) for removing panels and covers.
• 🔧 Multimeter (tester) for checking the integrity of contacts and continuity of the circuit.
• 🔧 Thermometer (preferably electronic with a remote probe) for monitoring the temperature in the chamber.
• 🔧 Pliers for careful removal of fasteners.

Any kinks or pinching of the tube will lead to failure of the device without the possibility of recovery. Be extremely careful when removing the sensitive element from the seat.

Step-by-step instructions for adjusting the temperature

Thermostat adjustment TAM 133 is carried out by rotating a special adjusting screw that changes the spring tension mechanism. On most models, this screw is accessible through a hole in the control knob or requires partial disassembly of the thermostat housing. The process requires patience, since the result is not immediately visible.

First you need to remove the temperature control knob. A screw is often hidden under it, the rotation of which shifts the temperature range. Turning clockwise usually increases the shutdown temperature (the chamber will become warmer), while turning it counterclockwise will decrease it (colder). Make turns very smoothly, no more than half a turn at a time.

After each manipulation, you need to start the refrigerator and let it run for at least 30-40 minutes so that the system stabilizes. Use an external thermometer to monitor the actual temperature at the center of the chamber, without relying solely on feel or indicators.

⚠️ Attention: Do not turn the adjustment screw with excessive force. The mechanism is thermostatic, and thread breakage or breakage of plastic gears will require a complete replacement of the unit.

If simple external adjustment does not produce results, calibration of the internal screw may be required. To do this you will have to remove the thermostat completely. Find a small hole in the housing that is covered with sealing paint or a plug. Carefully remove the obstruction and gain access to the screw. Twisting it allows you to correct the difference between the on and off temperatures.

What to do if the screw spins endlessly?

If you turn the screw and the temperature does not change, the calibration of the factory settings may have gone wrong or the spring has worn out. In this case, only replacing the thermostat with a new one will help, since it is impossible to restore the elasticity of the spring at home.

Diagnostics and table of temperature conditions

For precise tuning, it is important to understand what temperature values ​​are normal for different operating modes of the refrigerator. The thermostat TAM 133 must provide a cycle in which the temperature in the main chamber fluctuates within acceptable limits, ensuring the safety of products.

Below is a table of approximate values ​​for standard operating mode. Please remember that actual values may vary slightly depending on the camera load and the ambient temperature in the room.

To check actual values use an external thermometer placed in a glass of water in the center of the chamber. Compare the readings with the data in the table. If the temperature spread is too large (for example, turning on at +8°C and turning off at +1°C), this indicates a large differential, which may be a sign of wear on the mechanism or the need for replacement.

Also check the integrity of the electrical contacts using a multimeter. In a cold state (after exposure to frost or in a refrigerator), the contacts should be closed (resistance close to 0 Ohm). When heated to room temperature, they should open (the resistance is infinite).

Replacing the thermostat: when adjustment does not help

Sometimes adjustment turns out to be meaningless, and the only solution is to replace the thermostat TAM 133 with a new one. This is necessary if the capillary tube is damaged, the contacts are burnt to the point of non-conductivity, or the mechanism is jammed. Replacement is a more labor-intensive process, but quite doable.

First, remove the old thermostat by carefully disconnecting the capillary tube from the evaporator. It can be glued or secured with a staple. Be careful not to damage the thin evaporator tubes. Then disconnect the electrical wires, having first photographed the connection diagram, since the color markings may differ from one manufacturer to another.

Install a new thermostat, securing the sensitive element in the same place where the old one was. The length of the capillary tube may vary for new models. If it is longer, carefully lay the excess in coils in the free space, avoiding kinks. In short, make sure that it reaches the mounting location.

⚠️ Attention: When installing a new thermostat, make sure that its markings fully correspond to the original or are the recommended equivalent. Different models may have differences in capillary length and temperature range.

After connecting the wires and fixing the body, reassemble the refrigerator in the reverse order. Turn on the device and check the first cycle of operation. A new thermostat may require some initial adjustment, as the factory settings may not perfectly match the parameters of your specific refrigerator.

Common mistakes when setting it up yourself

Trying to save on calling a technician, refrigerator owners often make common mistakes that can aggravate the situation. One of the most common is trying to adjust the thermostat when the chamber is unloaded or the door is open. This distorts the heat balance and does not give an objective picture.

Another mistake is ignoring the condition of the door seals. If warm air enters through a door that is not tightly closed, the thermostat will constantly keep the compressor on, and no amount of adjustment will correct the situation. Always check the tightness of the circuit before tampering with the electronics.

Also, do not forget about defrosting. If the evaporator is covered with a thick layer of ice, heat transfer is impaired and the temperature sensor reads incorrect data. Complete defrosting of the refrigerator (at least 24 hours with the doors open) is a mandatory step before any diagnostics.

List of mistakes to avoid:

• 🚫 Adjustment without a thermometer —adjusting by eye often leads to spoilage of food.
• 🚫 Ignoring defrosting —an ice coat distorts sensor readings.
• 🚫 Rough mechanical impact —impacts on the thermostat body can disrupt the calibration.
• 🚫 Replacement without checking the electrical wiring —sometimes the problem lies in the wiring, and not in the thermostat itself.

Questions and answers (FAQ)

Is it possible to repair the TAM 133 thermostat, or just replace it?

In most cases, thermostats are non-separable devices, and their repair is not economically feasible. Replacing burnt contacts is possible, but requires high qualifications and special equipment. It is easier and more reliable to install a new unit.

Why does the refrigerator not turn off after replacing the thermostat?

There may be several reasons: the analogue is incorrectly selected (wrong temperature range), the adjusting screw is not fully tightened, or the problem is not in the thermostat, but in a freon leak or a compressor malfunction. Also check whether the capillary tube fits tightly to the evaporator.

How to check the thermostat without removing it from the refrigerator?

You can use a multimeter in dial mode. Unplug the refrigerator, locate the thermostat contacts and check the circuit. Then forcefully cool the sensor element (for example, by applying ice) and check whether the contacts open. However, only removal and testing under controlled conditions gives an accurate result.

What is the difference between TAM 133 and TAM 112?

The main difference is the length of the capillary tube and the range of controlled temperatures. TAM 133 is often used in refrigerators with a longer capillary. Installing an unsuitable model may lead to incorrect operation or impossibility of installation.