Refrigerators Indesit they are deservedly popular due to their reliability, but even the highest quality equipment fails over time. Most often, owners are faced with a situation where the unit stops freezing, hums but does not start, or turns on only for a few seconds. In 80% of such cases, suspicion falls on the compressor heart of the refrigeration system, which is responsible for the circulation of the refrigerant.
Before calling a technician or buying new equipment, it is important to carry out competent diagnostics. Many users mistakenly consider the motor to be burnt out, although the problem lies in a cheap starting relay or broken wiring. An independent check will allow save a significant amount and accurately determine whether your Indesit needs to replace an expensive unit or simple preventive maintenance is sufficient.
In this article we will analyze proven diagnostic methods used by professional repairmen. You will learn how to safely open the technical compartment, what tools you will need, and what multimeter readings you need to pay attention to. The correct approach to diagnostics will eliminate unnecessary expenses and help extend the life of your refrigerator.
Primary diagnostics: external signs and sound analysis
Any in-depth inspection begins with a visual inspection and assessment of acoustic signals. If your Indesit is silent or makes strange clicking noises, do not rush to grab a screwdriver. Listen carefully to the operation of the unit for 10-15 minutes. Normal operation cycle includes periods of motor humming and silence; if the motor hums, but does not start, or clicks and goes silent, these are the first symptoms of a malfunction.
Pay attention to the temperature of the compressor housing. Carefully touch the metal part of the motor with the back of your hand (so as not to get burned). If it is hot to the point where it is impossible to hold your hand for more than a second, this may indicate an interturn short circuit or a wedge in the mechanism. A cold motor when the refrigerator is plugged in indicates that electric circuit it is broken and the current simply does not reach the windings.
Also inspect the back wall of the refrigerator for swelling or oily stains. The presence of oil in the area of the compressor tubes is an alarming signal indicating depressurization of the system. In such cases, even an electrically serviceable motor will not be able to create the necessary pressure, since freon has already evaporated through the formed hole.
⚠️ Attention: If you hear a loud bang, smell a burning smell, or see sparking, immediately unplug the refrigerator. Further diagnostics are possible only after the unit has completely cooled down and the cause of the short circuit has been eliminated.
Preparation for testing: tools and safety measures
For high-quality diagnostics, you will need a minimum set of tools, which many home craftsmen can find. The main device will be multimeter (tester) capable of measuring resistance in Ohms. Without this device, checking the windings will be impossible, since it is impossible to determine the integrity of the coils “by eye”. You will also need screwdrivers (Phillips and flathead), pliers and possibly electrical tape.
Safety is the number one priority when working with electrical appliances. Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator Indesit from the electrical network. Even after unplugging, residual voltage may remain in the circuits, so let the equipment sit for 5-10 minutes. This is also necessary to reset errors in the electronic control module, if any.
Provide access to the compressor, which is usually located in a niche at the bottom of the rear wall. Remove the protective cover by unscrewing the mounting screws. In some models Indesit the cover may be held on by latches that require careful handling so as not to break the plastic. Free up space around the motor for easy access to the contact group.
☑️ Ready for diagnostics
Removing the starting relay and visual inspection
There is a plastic box on the compressor housing - this is the starting relay. It is this that often becomes the culprit of problems, simulating a breakdown of the motor itself. To remove it, you need to carefully press the fixing tabs or unscrew the screws, and then pull the box down from the contact group. Operate without sudden jerks so as not to damage the fragile contacts.
After removing the relay, carefully inspect its insides. Shake the device near your ear: if it rattles inside, it means the core or hammer mechanism has fallen apart. The presence of carbon deposits, melted plastic or a characteristic burning smell on the contacts indicates that the relay has failed. In this case, replacing the relay can completely solve the problem without interfering with motor windings.
Now inspect the compressor itself. There should be no oxides, black deposits or signs of overheating on the contact group where the relay is placed. If the contacts are blackened, they can be carefully cleaned with fine sandpaper or a file, but only if the plastic itself has not melted. Clean and shiny contacts are the key to the correct passage of electric current.
Why does the relay fail?
A common reason for the breakdown of the starting relay is power surges in the network or an attempt to start the compressor with high back pressure in the system (if the refrigerator was turned on immediately after defrosting). This leads to burning of the contacts and sticking of the mechanism.
Checking the compressor windings with a multimeter
This is the most important stage of diagnostics, allowing you to accurately determine the condition of the electrical part of the motor. On the contact group of the compressor Indesit usually there are three terminals forming a triangle. Switch the multimeter to resistance measurement mode (limit 2 kOhm) and ring the pairs of contacts one by one. You need to get three resistance values between different pairs of terminals.
Normal resistance values for a working compressor vary within certain limits. The sum of the resistances of the two smaller values should equal (or be very close to) the largest value. For example, if there are 20 ohms between the first and second contacts, 15 ohms between the second and third, then there should be about 35 ohms between the first and third. Any strong deviation indicates a problem.
If the device shows infinity (one on the left or right, depending on the model), it means the winding break. If the resistance is close to zero, it happened short circuit. It is also important to check the breakdown on the housing: press one probe to the cleaned area on the compressor housing, and touch the contacts with the other. The device should not respond; any resistance reading indicates that the motor is faulty and dangerous for operation.
Table of normal values and interpretation of indicators
For ease of analysis of the obtained data, use a reference table. Please remember that the values may vary slightly depending on the specific compressor model installed in your Indesit (for example, Aspera, Danfoss or Embraco). However, the order of numbers always remains similar for household single-phase motors.
| Pair of contacts | Normal resistance (Ohm) | Possible malfunction during deviation |
|---|---|---|
| Starting - Working | 25 - 45 Ohm | Open or short circuit of windings |
| Working - Common | 10 - 20 Ohm | Interturn short circuit |
| Starting - General | 15 - 30 Ohm | Malfunction of the starting winding |
| Any contact - Housing | Infinity (∞) | Insulation breakdown on the housing |
When analyzing, take into account the error of the device. If the readings “float” or are unstable, try cleaning the probe contacts and repeat the measurement. It is important to ensure tight contact of the multimeter probes with the compressor terminals, since the oxidized surface can distort the results, creating a false impression of a break.
If the measurements show that everything is in order with the electrics, but the motor still does not start or hums, the problem may be mechanical. This is the so-called “wedge” of the compressor, when the piston group gets stuck due to exhaustion or lack of lubrication. In this case, a complex wedging procedure or a complete replacement of the unit is required.
Checking the consumption current and final conclusions
For deeper diagnostics, if the electrical parameters are normal, you can measure the consumption current at startup. To do this you will need current clamps. During proper operation, the starting current may briefly jump to 10-15 Amps, but the operating current should stabilize within the limits indicated on the compressor nameplate (usually 0.5 - 1.2 A for household models).
If the current is significantly higher than the rated current, this is a sure sign that the motor is having difficulty turning. The reasons may be freon boiling, a clogged capillary tube, or that same mechanical wedge. It is impossible to operate such a refrigerator, since the increased current will lead to overheating of the wiring and a fire hazard.
To summarize, we can say that a comprehensive check of the compressor Indesit includes a visual inspection, checking the relay and measuring the resistance of the windings. If all stages are completed successfully, but cold does not appear, there may be a freon leak or a thermostat malfunction, which requires professional intervention using special tools.
⚠️ Attention: Technical characteristics of compressors may vary depending on the year of manufacture and the specific series of the refrigerator. Always check the data with the information on the factory sticker located on the motor housing or inside the refrigerator compartment.
Is it possible to start the compressor directly, bypassing the relay?
Technically, you can start the motor directly by applying voltage to the working and starting windings, but doing this at home is extremely dangerous without the appropriate skills. An incorrect connection will cause the windings to burn out in seconds. In addition, without a starting device, the motor will not be able to gain the required speed and will work with overload.
Why is the compressor hot, but the refrigerator does not freeze?
This is a classic sign of either a freon leak (the motor runs empty and overheats), or a blockage in the circulation system. Also, the reason may be a loose fit of the doors or a malfunction of the thermostat, due to which the motor works without stopping, trying to reach an unattainable temperature.
How long does the compressor on an Indesit refrigerator last?
The average service life of modern compressors is 10-15 years, subject to proper operation. However, frequent voltage drops in the network, insufficient ventilation of the rear wall and rare defrosting can significantly reduce this resource, leading to premature wear of mechanical parts.
What to do if the multimeter shows a short circuit?
If a short circuit of the windings is detected (resistance is close to zero), repair such the compressor is not subject to. Attempts to rewind the motor are economically impractical and technically difficult in domestic conditions. The only way out is to replace the unit with a new or contract analogue.