Sudden darkness inside the refrigerator compartment Ariston often takes you by surprise, especially when you urgently need to find food. In most cases, the cause is a burnt-out incandescent lamp whose life has come to an end, or, less commonly, oxidation of the contacts. Double-chamber models of this brand, such as series BF or MB, have their own design features of the location of lighting fixtures, which are important to consider before starting work.
Independent replacement of the light source is one of the most affordable procedures for repairing household appliances, which does not require complex specialized tools. However, in order not to damage the fragile plastic of the lampshade or the internal wiring, it is necessary to act consistently and take precautions. Safety is the number one priority for any manipulations with electrical appliances, even if they seem insignificant.
In this article we will analyze in detail the process of diagnosing and replacing the lamp in refrigerators Ariston with two chambers. You will learn how to choose the right analogue, what tools you will need and how to avoid typical mistakes that can lead to damage to the ceiling.
Preparation for repairs and selection of tools
Before you begin dismantling old elements, you need to turn off the power to the refrigerator. To do this, remove the plug from the socket or turn off the machine on the panel. Working with electrical components inside the camera, even low-voltage ones, requires a complete absence of mains voltage to eliminate the risk of short circuit or electric shock.
You will need a minimum set of tools that can be found in every home. The main tool will be a flat-head screwdriver, preferably with a thin blade, to carefully pry out the plastic latches. You may also need a Phillips screwdriver if the lampshade is secured with screws, and pliers if the lamp is stuck in the base.
- 🔦 A flashlight or mobile phone to illuminate the working area inside the camera.
- 🧤 Cotton gloves to protect your hands from possible sharp plastic edges.
- 🧼 Clean rags for wiping contacts and removing dust before installing a new lamp.
Prepare the workplace in advance. If you plan to change the lamp in the freezer, make sure that the food does not interfere with access to the ceiling or walls of the freezer. In two-chamber models Ariston access is often limited to shelves and drawers, which are best temporarily removed.
⚠️ Attention: Never try to replace the lamp while the refrigerator is plugged in. Even if you are just changing a burnt-out light bulb, accidental slipping of the tool can cause a short circuit in the control circuit.
Diagnostics of the fault and selection of a new lamp
Before disassembling the lampshade, you should make sure that the problem lies in the lamp. Sometimes the refrigerator Ariston stops shining due to sticking of the switch button located on the body or oxidation of the cartridge contacts. Press the switch button manually several times - if the light blinks, the problem may be in the mechanics, and not in the light source.
If the lamp is visually blackened or does not make a characteristic sound when turned on (in the case of some types of lamps), it must be replaced. It is important to choose the right analogue. Refrigerators Ariston usually use incandescent lamps with an E14 base or specific LED modules. The standard power is 15 W, but less powerful analogues can be used.
When choosing a replacement, consider installing LED lamps. They consume less energy, do not heat up (which is important for maintaining temperature) and last many times longer than usual. However, make sure that the base of the new lamp matches the socket of your refrigerator.
Pay attention to the dimensions of the new lamp. Some powerful LED analogues may be longer than standard ones, which is why the lampshade simply will not close or will put pressure on the bulb, which will lead to its destruction.
Removing the lampshade in the refrigerator compartment
In two-chamber refrigerators Ariston the lampshade in the refrigerator compartment is most often located on the back wall or on ceiling of the chamber. The mounting design may vary depending on the model year. In older versions, the lampshade is held on by screws, in new ones - by plastic latches.
If you see holes for screws, carefully unscrew them with a Phillips screwdriver. Do not use excessive force, as plastic becomes brittle in the cold or simply over time. If there are no screws, the lampshade must be carefully pryed off with a flat-head screwdriver. Insert the tip into a special groove or between the lamp housing and the wall of the refrigerator.
Proceed carefully when snapping the latches around the perimeter. Usually there are two or three. After removing the latches, the lampshade can be easily removed, allowing access to the lamp and socket. Do not pull sharply, as wires may go to the lampshade if the switch button is built into it.
☑️ Checklist for dismantling the lampshade
After removing the cover you will have full access to cartridge. Visually inspect it for signs of carbon deposits, melting or oxidation. If the plastic of the socket is blackened, simply replacing the lamp will not help - you will need to replace the entire mounting unit.
The process of replacing the light source
The most critical step is removing the old lamp. If it is a standard E14 socket, unscrew it counterclockwise. Be careful: if the lamp has recently burned out, it may still be hot. If the bulb breaks inside the base, use pliers to carefully unscrew the remains of the base, holding the tool by the metal part without touching the glass.
Insert a new lamp, twisting it clockwise until it stops, but without fanaticism. Excessive force may damage the contacts inside the socket or crack the base. Make sure that the lamp sits tightly and does not wobble.
If your Ariston has an LED strip or module installed, they usually do not unscrew, but are disconnected through a connector or removed together with the mount. In this case, you need to disconnect the wire plug, first remembering the polarity (although for diodes in refrigerators this is rarely critical, since the connectors have keys), and install a new module.
| Lamp type | Socket | Power | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incandescent | E14 | 15 W | Cheap, gets hot, short service life |
| LED (LED) | E14 | 1-2 W | Economical, cold, long service life |
| Special. refrigerated | E14/E27 | 10-15 W | Resistant to vibration and humidity |
After installation, be sure to wipe the bulb of the new lamp with an alcohol wipe if you accidentally touched it with your fingers. Grease marks on the glass when heated can lead to local overheating and rapid failure, especially with halogen analogues.
Installing the lampshade back and checking
Before putting the lampshade in place, check the operation of the system. Plug in the refrigerator without screwing the lid on completely. Press the switch button (or door switch). If the light lights up smoothly and does not blink, you can assemble the structure.
Install the lampshade into place, fitting the protrusions into the grooves. Gently press the corners until the latches click. If screws are used, tighten them but do not overtighten to avoid cracking the plastic. Make sure that there are no gaps between the lampshade and the wall through which cold can escape.
After assembly, close the refrigerator door and wait a few minutes. Make sure that the light goes out when the door is closed (you can check this by opening the door a millimeter in the dark). A constantly burning lamp will lead to an increase in the temperature inside the chamber and increased load on the compressor.
⚠️ Attention: If after replacing the lamp is constantly on or does not light up at all, check the switch button on the door. Often the problem lies precisely in a stuck or broken door mechanism, and not in the lamp itself.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Sometimes after replacing the lamp the light still does not appear. In this case, it is worth checking the integrity of the wires going to the cartridge. In two-chamber Ariston the wiring often passes through the door hinges or along the back wall, where it can fray or be pinched.
Another common problem is oxidation of the contacts in the cartridge. If you see a white or green coating on the metal, clean it with an eraser or a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. This will restore contact and ensure stable operation.
- 🔌 Check the integrity of the wire to the switch button.
- 🧹 Clean the cartridge contacts from oxides and carbon deposits.
- 🔍 Make sure that the new lamp is working (check it in another device).
If you replaced the lamp with an LED one, and it flickers or hums, it may be due to incompatibility of the load type with the electronic control circuit of the refrigerator (if it has one). In such cases, it is better to return to a classic low-power incandescent lamp.
Prevention and care of the lighting system
In order for the lighting system to serve for a long time, it is recommended to periodically, for example, when defrosting the refrigerator, wipe the lampshade and switch button from moisture and dirt. Accumulated condensation can cause corrosion of the contacts.
Avoid using powerful lamps exceeding the recommended 15 W. High temperatures inside the small volume of the lampshade can deform the plastic and damage the wiring, which will lead to costly repairs of the entire refrigeration unit.
Monitor the condition of the door seal. If it does not fit tightly, warm, moist air enters the chamber, which increases the amount of condensation and accelerates the oxidation of the electrical contacts of the lamp and socket.
Is it possible to use an LED lamp instead of a regular one in Ariston?
Yes, it is possible and even necessary. LED lamps with E14 socket are ideal for replacement. The main thing is that they are designed to work at low temperatures (usually indicated on the packaging) and have the same dimensions so that the lamp closes without problems.
Why does the lamp in the refrigerator burn out so often?
Frequent burnouts can be caused by voltage surges in the network, poor contact in the socket, the use of lamps of higher power than intended, or frequent changes in temperature and humidity inside the chamber.
What to do if the lamp inside the refrigerator breaks?
Immediately turn off the refrigerator. Carefully remove all glass shards (use tape for small fragments). Wipe the camera with a damp cloth. If it was a mercury lamp (in older models), ventilate the room. Make sure there are no fragments left in the base before screwing in a new one.
Where can I find a disassembly diagram for my Ariston model?
Disassembly diagrams (explode view) can often be found in service manuals upon request of the model (for example, Ariston MBAA 2185). However, to replace the lamp, a circuit is usually not required; it is enough to act carefully according to the general rules for dismantling plastic latches.