Changing the installation location of the refrigerator often dictates its own conditions, especially when the standard door opening interferes with the ergonomics of the kitchen. Equipment owners Indesit often face the need to change the side of the canopy in order to free up space or simply follow the rules of room zoning. Double-chamber models with a display on the facade are a more complex design compared to conventional refrigerators, as they require careful handling of electronic cables and wiring.
The process of hanging doors on such models requires not only physical strength, but also attention to detail. Critical important do not damage the fragile plastic fastening elements and the insulation of the wires going to the control panel. An incorrect sequence of actions can lead to a breakdown of the lock or a violation of the tightness of the fridge compartment.
In this article we will analyze in detail all stages of the work, from preparing the tool to the final adjustment of the gaps. You'll learn how to safely detach the display, which hinges need replacing, and which ones you can simply reposition. Compliance with the technology will allow you to perform the work efficiently and maintain the warranty on the seals and compressor.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
Before starting any manipulations with the refrigerator body Indesit it is necessary to prepare the appropriate tools. A standard DIY kit may not be suitable, since the fasteners often have specific heads or require a specific tightening torque. The absence of the required key can lead to the edges of the bolts breaking off, which will significantly complicate assembly.
You will definitely need a set of open-end and socket wrenches, including sizes 8, 10 and, possibly, specific hexagons. Don't forget the flathead and Phillips screwdrivers you'll need to work with the plastic plugs and hinge screws. To work with the electrical wiring of the display, electrical tape or special clamps are useful to secure the wires during dismantling.
- 🔧 A set of wrenches (open-end, socket, hexagon) for unscrewing the hinge bolts.
- 🔌 Flat and Phillips screwdrivers for removing decorative panels and working with contacts.
- 🧤 Construction gloves to protect hands from sharp metal edges and contamination.
- 📏 Level and tape measure to check the horizontal installation after completion of work.
The workplace should be free and well lit. Remove carpets and slippery surfaces as this will require physical effort and stability is key. Clear the space around the refrigerator in advance with a radius of at least one meter in order to be able to freely walk around the unit on all sides.
Removing the top door and working with the display
The most difficult step in models with a display is the correct disconnection of the top door, where the control panel is located. On refrigerators Indesit the display power cable usually runs inside the top hinge or through a special hole in the case. Attention: before completely removing the door, you must carefully disconnect the wiring connectors.
First remove the decorative plug on the top loop, if available. It is often held in place by latches or a small screw. Once you have access to the fasteners, loosen the bolts, but do not remove them completely until you are sure that the wiring is free. Carefully bend the door to gain access to where the cable enters the housing.
⚠️ Attention: Do not forcefully pull the display wires! The connectors inside can be secured with latches. A sharp jerk will break the contacts, and the display will stop working, and replacing the cable will require complete disassembly of the door.
To disconnect the cable, find the connection point (connector) directly at the entrance to the housing or on the hinge itself. In some models Indesit the wiring runs through the hollow axis of the loop, and it must be carefully pulled out. After disconnecting the electrical part, you can completely unscrew the fastening bolts of the upper hinge.
Display wiring diagram
Usually a male-female connector with 4-6 contacts is used. Wire colors can vary, but most often red is positive and black is negative. Before disconnecting, it is recommended to photograph the position of the wires so that when assembling on the new side you do not mix up the polarity, although modern connectors have protection against incorrect connection.
Remove the top door, holding it with your second hand or asking an assistant. Double-compartment refrigerators are heavy, and dropping the door on the floor can damage the seal or the display glass. Place the removed part on a prepared soft surface (cardboard, blanket) with the outer side up.
Removing and turning over the lower door of the refrigerator compartment
After freeing the upper part of the unit, we move on to the main door of the refrigerator compartment. At this stage it is important to correctly dismantle the middle hinge that connects the two chambers. First, unscrew the middle hinge mounting bolts, holding the door so that it does not fall.
After removing the door, pay attention to the design of the lower hinge. In two-chamber models Indesit it is often a permanent part of the body or attached to the bottom. If your model requires rearranging the bottom hinge, unscrew it and move it to the opposite side using the reserved holes closed with plastic plugs.
Now you need to turn the door itself over. To do this, remove the handle from it, if it is removable, and rearrange the opening stops. Stoppers are usually located at the bottom and top of the door end and are plastic or metal pins. They need to be removed from one side and tightly inserted into the holes on the opposite side.
☑️ Check before installing the door
When installing the door in a new location, make sure that the hinge pins fit into their seats smoothly, without distortions. Door skewed is a common cause of problems with tightness. If the door is crooked, loosen the fastenings, level it and tighten the bolts again, checking the verticality of the level.
Transfer of fastening elements and fittings
Refrigerator fittings Indesit are designed taking into account the possibility of overhanging, therefore there are always corresponding holes on the opposite side of the case. However, they can be closed with decorative plugs. Carefully remove the plugs from the working side and install them on the vacated holes to maintain an aesthetic appearance.
Pay special attention to the lock strike plates and latches. They must be transferred to the new side of the door and frame. In some models, this requires simply turning the part 180 degrees, in others - completely unscrewing it and screwing it in a new place. Use the same bolts that were removed so as not to disturb the structure.
| Element | Action when overweight | Location (standard) | Location (after overweight) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper hinge | Transfer to the other side | Upper right corner | Upper left corner |
| Door stopper | Rearrangement at the end | Right end | Left end |
| Hole plugs | Replacement | Left side of the case | Right side body |
| Door handle | Symmetrical installation (if removable) | Side/Bottom | Opposite side |
If on your model the handles are integrated into the door profile and are not removable, the process simplified - you just need to ensure the symmetry of the installation of the door itself relative to the body. In rare cases, it may be necessary to replace the handles themselves with mirror ones, but for most models Indesit this is not relevant.
Installing doors on a new side
Installation of doors on the new side is carried out in the reverse order of dismantling. First, the bottom door of the refrigerator compartment is installed. Insert the bottom pin into the hinge hole, make sure the door is level, and secure it with the middle hinge. Do not tighten the middle hinge bolts too much yet to be able to adjust.
Then we move on to installing the upper freezer. Pass the display cable through the hole in the housing or loop (depending on the design). The display cable should not be stretched or pinched This is a critical moment, since vibration during compressor operation can damage the insulation.
After installing the top loop and fixing the bolts, connect the display connectors. Make sure they click into place. Only after checking the reliability of the electrical connection can all fasteners be finally tightened. Check that there are no gaps between the door and the body.
The final touch is to install decorative plugs on the free holes for the hinges. They not only improve the appearance, but also prevent dust and moisture from entering the housing structure. Make sure that all plugs fit tightly and do not protrude beyond the plane of the body.
Adjusting gaps and checking tightness
After installing the doors, it is necessary to carry out a thorough adjustment. Doors should close tightly, with light force, and not be distorted. If you notice that one part of the door is moving away from the body more than the other, you will need to adjust the height of the refrigerator legs or tighten the hinge bolts.
To check the tightness, use a simple test with a sheet of paper. Clamp the sheet between the door and the body in different places around the perimeter. If the sheet is removed easily without resistance, it means that the seal is broken in this place. In this case, slightly loosen the hinge fasteners and press the door in the desired direction, then tighten the bolts.
⚠️ Attention: If after adjustment the door still does not fit tightly, the seal may have been deformed during transportation. Try warming it with a hairdryer (without overheating!) or pouring boiling water over the deformed area to restore the shape of the rubber.
Also check the operation of the door open sensor (if your model has one Indesit). When the door is open, an audible signal should sound after a certain time. If the signal is not given, check whether the sensor wire is pinched and whether it is connected correctly.
Frequent errors and troubleshooting
When re-hanging the doors themselves, users often make mistakes that can lead to unstable operation of the refrigerator. One of the most common is retightening the hinge bolts. This can lead to deformation of the metal or even cracks in the plastic fastening elements.
Another common problem is a forgotten display cable. Users forget to switch the wiring or connect it incorrectly, resulting in no temperature indication. Carefully follow the pinout instructions if the wires do not have unique connectors.
- 🚫 Error: Incomplete tightening of the middle hinge bolts. Solution: The door may sag after a week of operation.
- 🚫 Error: Loss of small screws. Solution: Use a magnetic tray or stick the removed fasteners with tape to the instructions.
- 🚫 Error: Ignoring the floor level. Solution: The refrigerator must stand strictly horizontally or with a slight tilt back for self-closing.
If after all the manipulations the refrigerator begins to make more noise than usual, check that it is not does the door touch the frame or adjacent furniture when opening? Also make sure that the food inside the chambers does not interfere with the doors closing tightly.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Is it necessary to defrost the refrigerator before hanging the doors?
Yes, this is a prerequisite. There may be condensation or ice inside the hinges and mechanisms. In addition, a full chamber of products will make the door too heavy, which will increase the risk of dropping it or damaging the shelf during dismantling.
What to do if the display cable is too short and does not reach?
In the original designs Indesit the length of the wire is designed for both mounting options. If the wire cannot be reached, it may be stuck inside the channel. Do not pull by force - try to push it with a thin wire or knitting needle through the loop hole.
Is it possible to perform this procedure alone?
Theoretically it is possible, but it is highly not recommended. The doors of two-compartment refrigerators are heavy and bulky. For safe dismantling and installation, especially the upper part with the display, an assistant is needed to hold the structure.
Will the temperature settings be lost after the display is turned off?
No, the main settings are stored in the non-volatile memory of the control board. However, if you have unplugged the refrigerator for a long time, the settings may be reset to factory settings. In any case, after turning on, check the operating mode.