The situation when the refrigerator stops cooling always takes you by surprise. Owners of brand equipment Atlant often face the need for self-diagnosis in order to understand the scale of the problem. If it’s warm inside and the light is on, the first suspicious element is the engine.
The engine is the heart of the entire cooling system. Its breakdown can be caused by either electrical breakdown or mechanical jamming of the piston group. It is important to understand that checking the compressor requires care and compliance with safety precautions, since you will be dealing with high voltage.
Before grabbing the tools, you need to rule out simpler reasons for the lack of cold. Sometimes the problem lies not in the motor itself, but in a freon leak or a thermostat malfunction. However, if you are sure that the problem is in the heart of the unit, you should proceed to a detailed diagnosis.
Visual inspection and primary diagnosis
The first stage should always be a thorough external examination. Unplug the device and move it away from the wall to access the back panel. Carefully examine the condition starting relay and the wires going to the motor. Often the cause of failure is not the engine itself, but a burnt-out winding in the starting device.
Pay attention to the appearance of the compressor. If traces of oil are visible on the housing, this may indicate depressurization or mechanical damage. It is also worth sniffing the air near the motor: the smell of burning or burning plastic is a sure sign of a short circuit in the windings.
⚠️ Attention: If you find obvious traces of oil around the tubes or housing, self-repair without vacuuming and replacing the filter-drier is impossible.
Check the integrity of the insulation wires Frayed cables can cause a short circuit, causing the refrigerator to break the machine or simply not turn on. Make sure that all contacts fit tightly in their sockets and are not oxidized.
For clarity, let's look at the main visual signs of a malfunction:
- 🔌 Charred plastic on the start relay connector.
- 💧 Oil smudges on the bottom of the unit.
- 🔥 Characteristic burning smell when trying to turn on.
- 🔊 Loud metallic knocking or buzzing without starting.
If there is no external damage, we proceed to a deeper check of the electrical part. Remember that Atlant the equipment is reliable, and often the problem is solved by replacing an inexpensive relay.
Checking the starting relay and contacts
A frequent cause of a non-working motor is the failure of the start-protective relay. This small block is responsible for starting the engine and protecting it from overloads. Remove the relay from the compressor contacts, having previously photographed the connection diagram so as not to confuse the wires during assembly.
Visually assess the condition of the insides of the relay. If soot or melted plastic is visible inside, the part requires replacement. Check the integrity of the bimetallic strip and coil. Even a microscopic break in the circuit will cause it to stop starting. Atlant refrigerator will stop running.
How does the relay work?
The relay supplies current to the starting winding only at the moment of start. As soon as the motor picks up speed, the starting winding is turned off and only the main winding works. If this mechanism is broken, the motor hums but does not start.
Clean the contacts on the compressor itself. Use fine sandpaper or alcohol to remove oxides. Poor contact causes heat and can simulate engine failure. After cleaning, try to carefully start the system.
Sometimes the relay gets stuck in the closed position. In this case, the motor receives power to the starting winding constantly, which leads to rapid overheating and activation of the thermal protector. If the relay is working properly, but the motor does not spin, the problem is deeper.
Diagnostics of windings with a multimeter
The most accurate way to understand whether the motor is alive is to ring its windings with a tester. To do this, you will need a multimeter switched to resistance measurement mode (Ohms). Remove the cover of the contact group and disconnect all wires from the compressor terminals.
At the end of the motor you will see three contacts forming a triangle. They are usually marked or arranged in a specific geometry. You need to find pairs of contacts: the starting winding, the working winding and the common terminal. The resistance between them must be within a certain range.
Measure the resistance between each pair of contacts. Normal indicators for a working engine look like this:
| Pair of contacts | Normal resistance (Ohm) | Symptom of malfunction |
|---|---|---|
| Working - General | 15–35 Ohm | Open circuit or short circuit |
| Starting - General | 20–45 Ohm | Open circuit or short circuit |
| Starting - Working | Sum of two above | Unstable contact |
| Case - Any contact | Infinity (∞) | Breakdown to the case |
If the device shows one (infinity), then in winding break. If the resistance is close to zero, a short circuit has occurred. In both cases, the compressor must be replaced, since rewinding at home is impossible.
Pay special attention to checking for breakdown of the housing. Press one multimeter probe to any contact, and the second to the place on the motor body that has been cleared of paint. If the device beeps or shows at least some resistance, then the insulation is broken. Operating such a unit is deadly.
Analysis of operation under voltage
If the electrical part is normal, but the motor is silent, you can conduct a test run. Do this only if you are sure that the start relay is working properly and there is no freon leakage. Connect the power directly, bypassing the thermostat, to eliminate its malfunction.
When turned on, a working compressor should start in 1-3 seconds with a characteristic click. If you hear a humming sound but do not start, the piston group may be jammed or the compression may have dropped. In this case, the motor consumes huge current and quickly heats up.
Be careful: when directly connected to a 220V network, the risk of electric shock is maximum. Do not touch metal parts with your hands during operation. If the motor starts, but immediately knocks out the plugs, it means there is a short circuit somewhere in the system or the starter itself is faulty.
Sometimes the motor runs jerkily. This may indicate low voltage in the network or problems with the capacitor (if there is one in the circuit). To accurately diagnose the current strength, use current clamps, throwing them on the power wire.
Mechanical faults and noise
The breakdown is not always expressed in complete silence of the unit. Often Atlant refrigerator hums, knocks or makes a grinding noise. These sounds indicate mechanical wear of internal parts. If the engine is running, but there is no cold, the compression may be broken.
You can check the compression by disconnecting the discharge tube. When turned on, a working motor should blow air forcefully. If the flow is weak or not at all, it means the piston rings or valves are worn out. In this case, the engine idles.
The shock absorbers on which the compressor is mounted can also produce extraneous noise. Check the rubber bushings. If they dry out or burst, the vibration is transmitted to the body of the refrigerator, creating a strong hum. Replacing shock absorbers is a simple and cheap procedure.
- 🔨 The sound of metal on metal is a sign of destruction of the bearings or connecting rod.
- 🌬️ Hissing - often indicates a refrigerant leak, and not a motor breakdown.
- 📉 A quiet hum without starting is an attempt to turn a jammed shaft.
⚠️ Attention: If the compressor gets very hot (it is impossible to hold your hand for more than 5 seconds), immediately turn off the device. Further work will lead to complete burnout of the windings.
Table of symptoms and solutions
For ease of diagnosis, we will summarize the main symptoms in a single table. This will help you quickly navigate the nature of the malfunction of your refrigerator refrigerator.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Silent, no light | No power in the socket | Check the cord and socket |
| Buzzing, won’t start | Is the freon stuck or not | Check the relay and pressure |
| Clicks and turns off | Faulty start relay | Replace the relay |
| Works without stopping | Freon leakage or wear | Call a technician for refueling |
| The machine knocks out | Breakdown of the winding on the housing | Replacing the compressor |
If your observations coincide with the last point in the table, alas, DIY repairs are impossible. A professional replacement of the unit will be required using welding and vacuuming of the system.
☑️ Checklist before calling a technician
When professional repairs are needed
Replacing a compressor yourself is a task for experienced masters It requires special tools: a pipe cutter, a torch, a vacuum pump and a pressure gauge station. Without these devices, it will not be possible to properly charge the system and seal the tubes.
In addition, the new motor must exactly match the model of yours Atlanta. The power, refrigerant (R134a or R600a) and overall dimensions must be the same. An error in the choice will lead to the fact that the refrigerator either will not freeze or will quickly fail.
If the diagnostics showed a break in the windings or a breakdown in the body, it is more economically feasible to call a specialist. He will select an analogue, replace the filter drier and fill the system with the required amount of gas. Independent experiments with open fire and gas under pressure are dangerous.
Is it possible to repair an old Atlant compressor?
Theoretically, it is possible to replace valves or bearings, but in practice this is impractical. Factory assembly provides the necessary tightness, which is difficult to replicate in a garage environment. It is easier and more reliable to buy a new unit.
Why does the new compressor not start after replacement?
A common reason is the absence or malfunction of the start relay, or the incorrect amount of freon charged. Also, the filter drier may not have been replaced, which became clogged and created a blockage in the system.
How much does it cost to replace a compressor in the service?
The price consists of the cost of the motor itself, the work of the technician, consumables (freon, solder, filter) and travel. On average, this constitutes a significant part of the cost of a new refrigerator, so repairs only make sense for high-quality models.