Sudden stoppage of operation of the refrigerator or its inability to maintain the set temperature often indicates problems with the core of the unit - the compressor. Owners of equipment Indesit are the first to notice alarming symptoms: the absence of the characteristic hum of a running motor, a hot body, or, conversely, complete silence of the device. Diagnostics of the compressor requires care and compliance with safety precautions, since the work is carried out with high voltage.
Before calling a technician or taking the device to a service center, it is important to understand whether it really has failed engine, or whether the problem lies in the start relay, thermostat or wiring. Independent testing will save a significant amount if the fault is not in the motor itself, but in the attached equipment. In this article we will analyze a step-by-step algorithm of actions to identify the causes of the breakdown.
It is worth considering that modern models Indesit refrigerators can be equipped with both classic piston compressors and more modern inverter systems. The methods for checking them may differ, so it is extremely important to accurately determine the type of installed equipment before starting work.
Primary visual diagnostics and preparation
You should begin any work on checking the motor only after the refrigerator is completely disconnected from the power supply. Unplug the unit and move the unit away from the wall to gain access to the rear. A visual inspection often allows you to identify obvious defects without the use of complex tools.
Carefully inspect the rear wall in the compressor area. Pay attention to the condition of the wires: they should not be melted, broken or have signs of oxidation. Also check the integrity of the compressorcompressor itself: there should be no oil leaks on it, which may indicate depressurization of the system.
If visually everything looks normal, try starting the refrigerator and listening. A working motor emits a smooth, monotonous hum. If you hear clicks, a hum that abruptly stops, or the motor tries to start and immediately stalls, these are clear signs of a malfunction of the trigger mechanism or windings.
- 🔌 Completely disconnect the device from the network before starting the inspection.
- 👁️ Check the wires for melting and breaks.
- 🛢️ Inspect the compressor housing for oil stains.
- 👂 Listen to the sounds when you try to start the unit.
Pay special attention to the temperature of the housing. If, after attempting to start, compressor becomes hot in a matter of seconds, and the refrigerator does not cool, this may indicate an interturn short circuit or a wedge in the mechanical part.
⚠️ Attention: If you notice a burning smell or see sparking in the area of the engine compartment, further independent diagnostics are dangerous. In such cases, it is better to contact a specialist.
Do not forget that even after disconnecting from the network, a residual charge may remain in the capacitors of the electronics (if your model has one Indesit). Be careful when touching metal contacts.
Checking the starting relay and thermostat
Before you sin on yourself refrigerator motorit is necessary to exclude malfunctions of the elements responsible for starting it. Most often, it is the starting relay that fails - a small black or white plastic block placed on the contact group of the compressor.
To check the relay, it must be carefully removed. It is usually secured with a bracket or latches. Shake the relay near your ear: if you hear a ringing inside, it means the core is broken or crumbled, and the part requires replacement. This is the most common reason why Indesit refrigerator it hums, but does not start.
It is also worth checking the thermostat (thermostat). If it is faulty, it may simply not send a signal to turn on the compressor. Ring the thermostat contacts with a multimeter: when cold they should be closed (resistance is close to zero).
If the relay and thermostat are working properly, but the motor still does not start, the problem most likely lies deeper - in the windings electric motor or mechanical jamming. In this case, more in-depth diagnostics using measuring instruments will be required.
⚠️ Attention: Removing the starting relay requires care. Do not damage the contacts or confuse the orientation of the part when reinstalling it, otherwise instantaneous failure of the windings is possible.
Diagnostics of windings with a multimeter
To carry out a quality test compressor you will need a multimeter (tester). Switch the device to resistance measurement mode (Ohms). Remove the cover of the contact group on the compressor and disconnect the wires from the motor terminals.
On the contact group you will see three terminals. They are usually marked or arranged in a triangle. You need to find pairs of contacts that have resistance between them. These are the windings: starting, operating and common points.
Measure the resistance between each pair of contacts. Normal resistance values depend on the motor power, but are usually:
- 📏 Between the working and common windings: 10–30 Ohms.
- 📏 Between the starting and common windings: 20–50 Ohms.
- 📏 The sum of the resistances of the two windings should be equal to the resistance between the extreme terminals.
If the multimeter shows one (infinity) in any of the sections, this means winding break. In this case, the motor must be replaced, since rewinding at home is impossible and economically unfeasible.
It is also important to check that there is no short circuit to the housing. Touch one multimeter probe to any contact, and the other to a cleaned area on the compressor housing (where there is no paint). The device should show infinity. If there is any resistance value, it means that a breakdown on the housinghas occurred, which is life-threatening.
☑️ Checklist for checking with a multimeter
It is best to enter the measurement results in a table for comparison with the reference values, so as not to get confused in the readings.
| Measurement type | Normal indication | Symptom of malfunction |
|---|---|---|
| Working winding | 10–30 Ohm | Open (∞) or short circuit (0 Ohm) |
| Starting winding | 20–50 Ohm | Open (∞) or short circuit (0 Ohm) |
| Breakdown to the body | Infinity (∞) | Any numerical value |
| Thermal protection | 0 Ohm (closed) | Infinity (open circuit) |
If your measurements differ radically from the tabulated data, the probability of failure motor is more than 90%. However, it is worth taking into account the error of the device and the temperature of the windings.
Checking current consumption and mechanical wedge
If the electrical check did not reveal any breaks, but the motor still does not start or the machine knocks out, the problem may be in the mechanical part. To accurately diagnose current consumption, current clamps are used, which are placed on the power cord when the device is turned on.
At the moment of startup, the current increases briefly, but then must stabilize at the value indicated on the compressor nameplate (usually 0.5–1.5 A for household models Indesit). If the current immediately jumps to 5–10 A and the protection is triggered, there is compressor wedge.
A mechanical wedge occurs due to the production of friction pairs, lack of oil or foreign objects entering the system. In this state, the piston cannot make a move, and the motor hums, trying to turn the shaft.
⚠️ Attention: Attempts to “wedge” the motor by applying increased voltage or impacts can lead to the final destruction of the compressor and depressurization of the system. Do this only if you understand the risks.
There is a method of testing via bypass (direct voltage supply), but it requires special skills and equipment. Without experience, it is better not to experiment, as you can burn the windings.
Direct voltage supply method
To test a motor without a relay, you can apply 220V voltage directly to the working winding. If the engine starts and runs, the problem is in the relay. If it hums and stops, there is a wedge or a coil short circuit. Dangerous! Requires contact insulation.
Specifics of Indesit inverter compressors
Modern refrigerators Indesit are increasingly equipped with inverter compressors. Their diagnosis using standard methods using a multimeter is difficult, since they are controlled by complex electronics, and not by a simple starting relay.
In such systems inverter unit converts direct current into alternating current with a variable frequency. Checking the windings is possible here, but it does not give the full picture. Most often, the fault lies in the inverter itself or the sensors.
If you have a model with an inverter and it does not start, first check for errors on the display (if there is one) or by blinking indicators. Error codes will indicate a problem with the motor control.
The winding resistance of inverter motors can be symmetrical, which is confusing during diagnostics. Here it is more important to check the control signals, which is only possible with the help of an oscilloscope or a specialized tester.
When a compressor replacement is necessary
Replacement motor-compressor is a complex process that requires a vacuum pump, a pressure gauge station, freon and skills in soldering copper pipes. If diagnostics have confirmed a break, breakdown or wedge, replacement cannot be avoided.
When choosing a new compressor for Indesit it is important to consider not only the mounting dimensions, but also the refrigerant (R134a or R600a) and the volume of the fridge compartment. An incorrectly selected motor will work ineffectively or quickly fail.
The replacement process includes:
- 🔧 Unsoldering old tubes and removing the faulty compressor.
- 🧹 Purging the system with nitrogen to remove moisture and contaminants.
- 🔩 Installing a new motor and soldering connections.
- ❄️ Evacuating the system and filling with freon by weight.
It is impossible to do this work independently without equipment. Therefore, if you have reached the replacement stage, it is better to entrust further actions to professionals from the service center.
Remember that high-quality repairs extend the life of the equipment. The use of original spare parts Indesit guarantees stable operation of the refrigerator for many years.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to start an Indesit refrigerator without a relay?
Technically, you can start the motor without a starting device by applying voltage directly, but it will not work correctly in this mode and will quickly burn out. The relay is necessary to create a starting torque and turn off the starting winding.
Why is the compressor hot but not cold?
This may indicate a freon leak (the motor is idling), a clogged capillary tube or loss of compression (wear of the valves). A specialist diagnosis is required.
How to distinguish an inverter compressor from a conventional one?
Inverter motors are quieter, do not have characteristic on/off clicks and are often marked “Inverter” on the housing. They are also controlled by an electronic board, and not a mechanical relay.
How much does it cost to replace a compressor with Indesit?
The cost consists of the price of a new motor and the work of a technician. On average, replacement costs 40-60% of the cost of a new refrigerator, which makes repairs feasible for mid- and high-class models.