The situation when your Indesit refrigerator stops freezing often causes panic, but this does not always mean the need to buy new equipment. In most cases, the cause of the malfunction is the failure of the motor-compressor or its piping elements. Understanding how to properly diagnose a problem can save significant money and time. An initial check allows you to distinguish a breakdown of the unit itself from problems with the start relay or thermostat.
Before taking active steps, it is necessary to ensure safety. Any work related to electrical components requires completely disconnecting the device from the network. Refrigerator compressor is a complex electromechanical unit, and its diagnosis requires care and basic tools. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to turn to professionals, but for those who are used to understanding technology on their own, this instruction will be extremely useful.
It is important to understand that modern Indesit models can be equipped with both conventional and inverter motors. Methods for checking them can vary significantly. In this article we will focus on classic linear compressors, which are found in most household models of the brand. They are the ones that most often require replacement or repair during long-term operation.
Primary diagnostics and external inspection
The first step in the diagnostic process is to carefully listen to the operating (or trying to operate) unit. If you hear a humming noise that ends abruptly with a click, this is a sure sign that start relay tries to start the engine, but cannot. This situation often indicates jamming of the piston group or interturn short circuit of the windings. In normal condition, the refrigerator operates cyclically, turning on and off according to a signal from the thermostat.
Visual inspection can also provide a lot of information. Open the back panel of the refrigerator compartment (where the compressor is usually located) and carefully examine the condition of the wires and contacts. Look for signs of burning, melted insulation, or oxidation. Often the reason lies not in the motor itself, but in poor contact, which leads to overheating and false alarms.
⚠️ Attention: If you find traces of oil on the compressor tubes or obvious mechanical damage to the housing, further self-diagnosis can be dangerous. A refrigerant leak along with oil requires professional soldering and refilling of the system.
Particular attention should be paid to the temperature of the engine housing. If after trying to turn it on it becomes hot in a matter of seconds, this indicates that the current consumption is significantly higher than normal. This may occur due to a short circuit in the windings or mechanical jamming of the shaft. In such cases, further switching on without eliminating the cause can lead to complete combustion of the unit.
Checking the starting and protective relay
A frequent reason that Indesit refrigerator does not turn on is a malfunction of the starting relay. This small plastic block is attached directly to the side of the compressor and is responsible for supplying a starting pulse to the starting winding. Inside it there is a coil and a movable core, which over time can stick or oxidize. Replacing this part is much cheaper than repairing the motor itself.
To check the relay, it must be carefully removed from the compressor contacts. It is usually secured with a bracket or latches. After removing, shake the device: if a rattling sound is heard inside, it means the mechanism is damaged and requires replacement. You should also inspect the internal contacts for carbon deposits. Blackened contacts indicate a spark jumping and poor current conductivity.
A protective relay (thermal protection) is often built into the starter housing or located next to it. It breaks the circuit when the windings overheat. If this element fails and “keeps” the circuit constantly open, the compressor simply will not receive power. You can check it by checking: in a cold state, the contacts should be closed, and when heated (if carefully heated with a hairdryer), they should open.
Why does the relay burn out?
A common reason for the start relay burning out is unstable voltage in the network or rare but powerful surges. Installing a voltage stabilizer can extend the life of not only the relay, but also the entire electronic control module of the Indesit refrigerator.
Diagnostics of electrical windings with a multimeter
The most accurate way to check the condition of the engine is to measure the resistance of the windings using a multimeter. To do this, you need to remove the protective cover of the contact group on the compressor and disconnect the wires from the relay. The terminals usually have markings: C (Common - general), R (Run - working) and S (Start - starting). Before taking measurements, make sure that the probes of the device are in good working order and show zero when shorted to each other.
The measurement process requires consistency. First, the resistance is measured between the common terminal and the working terminal, then between the common and starting terminals, and finally, between the working and starting terminals. The obtained values must be compared with the reference ones. For most Indesit models, the operating winding resistance is 10–20 Ohms, and the starting winding resistance is 20–40 Ohms. The sum of the resistances of the two separate windings must be equal to the resistance between the outer terminals.
☑️ Check with a multimeter
If the device shows infinity (one in the most significant digit), this means a winding break. In this case, it is impossible to restore the engine; it must be replaced. If the resistance is close to zero, this indicates a short circuit. Both cases are critical. It is also important to check that there is no breakdown on the housing: one probe is placed on the cleaned metal part of the compressor housing, the other on any of the terminals. The device should show infinity.
Table of normal resistance values
For ease of comparison of the data obtained, we present a table with approximate resistance values for various types of compressors installed in Indesit equipment. Please note that the values may vary slightly depending on the specific motor model (for example, Embraco, Danfoss or Aspera) and the ambient temperature.
| Winding type | Resistance range (Ohm) | Possible malfunction during deviation | Probability of repair |
|---|---|---|---|
| Working (C-R) | 10 - 25 Ohm | Breakage or short circuit of turns | Requires rewinding or replacement |
| Starting (C-S) | 20 - 45 Ohm | Open or short circuit of turns | Requires rewinding or replacement |
| Breakage to the case | 0 Ohm (or close to 0) | Destruction of insulation | Replacement is required (dangerous!) |
| Interturn short circuit | Significantly below normal | Overheating and humming | Replacing the unit |
By analyzing the table data, we can draw a conclusion about the technical condition of the electrical part of the engine. However, it is worth remembering that even ideal resistance values do not guarantee mechanical health. A motor may have intact windings but be mechanically seized. Therefore, an electrical test is only half of the diagnosis.
Mechanical check and pressure analysis
If the electrical part is in order, but the refrigerator does not freeze, the problem may lie in the mechanics. The easiest way to check whether it is pumping compressoris to disconnect the capillary tube at the inlet to the condenser (at the system break). When you turn on a working motor, you should feel a powerful flow of air or freon from the open tube. If the flow is weak or absent, it means that the valve apparatus inside the compressor is worn out or damaged.
Another method is to check for “snack”. If the compressor hums but does not start, you can try to apply voltage directly, bypassing the start relay (using a button or a wire with a plug), but this must be done extremely carefully and briefly. If, when power is supplied directly, the shaft breaks off and begins to rotate, it means that the starting relay cannot cope with the starting torque. If the engine only hums and heats up, the piston group is probably jammed.
In some cases, the so-called “wedging” with increased voltage helps, but this method is risky and can only be used by experienced craftsmen. Its essence is to briefly apply a voltage above the nominal voltage to create a powerful magnetic field that can move jammed parts. For the average user, this method is not recommended due to the high risk of completely burning the windings.
⚠️ Attention: Opening the sealed circuit (disconnecting the tubes) leads to the release of refrigerant into the atmosphere. If you are planning further repairs, you must have a supply of freon and equipment for evacuation and charging the system.
Specifics of diagnostics of inverter compressors
Modern models of Indesit refrigerators are increasingly equipped with inverter compressors, which operate according to a fundamentally different algorithm. Unlike linear ones, they do not have a classic starting relay, but are controlled by a special electronic unit (inverter), which converts the current and regulates the engine speed. Checking such units with a conventional multimeter is often uninformative.
The main sign of a faulty inverter compressor is failure to start when there is good power supply to the control module. The control unit may display an error (flashing indicators on the panel), indicating a problem with the motor. Continuity of the windings is also possible here, but the resistance can be very low (less than 10 Ohms) or asymmetrical, which is sometimes the norm for inverter motors and not a defect.
If you are faced with an inverter model, first of all you should check the power coming from the inverter to the compressor. Lack of voltage or its instability may indicate a burnt-out control module, and not a breakdown of the motor itself. Replacing an inverter compressor is an expensive procedure, so accurate diagnosis is critical here.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to replace the compressor on an Indesit refrigerator yourself?
Theoretically, this is possible if you have the skills to work with a blowtorch, vacuum pump and filling equipment. However, without a special tool, it is almost impossible to solder the system efficiently and fill it with the required amount of freon. In addition, permits and a license are required to work with refrigerants.
Why can a new compressor burn out immediately after installation?
This often occurs due to moisture or acid entering the circuit system if the previous compressor burned out with the formation of carbon deposits. Before installing a new unit, be sure to flush the system, replace the filter drier and purge the circuit with nitrogen. Ignoring these steps will lead to repeated breakdown.
How long does a compressor on Indesit equipment last on average?
The average service life of a high-quality compressor is 10–15 years. However, this indicator strongly depends on the operating conditions: the stability of the voltage in the network, the frequency of defrosting, the cleanliness of the condenser and the temperature in the room where the refrigerator is located.
What is cheaper: repairing an old compressor or buying a new one?
In 95% of cases, repairing the compressor itself (rewinding, replacing valves) is economically impractical and technically difficult. It is cheaper and more reliable to purchase a new unit of similar power. Repair makes sense only in rare cases of replacing the start relay or thermal protection.