Refrigerators Stinol are deservedly considered one of the most reliable units in the post-Soviet space, however, even time-tested equipment has malfunctions. The most expensive and important component that ensures refrigerant circulation is compressor. It is this that creates the necessary pressure in the system, allowing freon to pass from liquid to gaseous state and back, taking heat from the chambers.
If your refrigerator has stopped freezing, hums, but does not start, or, conversely, turns on for a couple of seconds and immediately turns off with a characteristic click, these are alarming signals. In 80% of cases, the problem lies in the electrical part of the engine, and to accurately determine the cause of failure, it is necessary to carry out winding diagnostics. This is a procedure that a technically savvy user can perform independently, having a basic set of tools.
In this article we will look in detail at how to correctly ring a refrigerator compressor Stinol, which multimeter readings are considered normal, and which indicate a fatal breakdown. You will learn how to distinguish an interturn short circuit from an open circuit and a breakdown to the housing in order to make an informed decision on repairing or replacing the unit.
Preparation for diagnostics and safety measures
Before proceeding with direct testing of electrical circuits, it is necessary to completely de-energize household appliance. Disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply by removing the plug from the socket. Any manipulations with live electrical wiring are strictly prohibited and pose a direct threat to life. It is also worth moving the unit away from the wall to provide easy access to the lower part where the motor is located.
⚠️ Attention: Even after disconnecting from the network, a residual charge may remain in the capacitors of the starting relay. Do not touch the terminal box contacts with your bare hands in the first minutes after disassembly to avoid an unpleasant electric shock.
To carry out the work you will need multimeter (tester) with a mode for measuring resistance (Ohm) and checking circuit integrity (continuity). Also useful would be pliers, a screwdriver, and possibly a contact cleaner if the terminals are oxidized. It is important that the tester probes are in good working order, and that the device itself has a charged battery, since the readings of a “dead” battery may be incorrect.
Remove the rear protective cover covering the compressor compartment. In refrigerators Stinol it is usually secured with several bolts or latches. After removing the casing, you will see a black cylindrical or pear-shaped tank - this is the compressor. A plastic box is attached to its end, inside which there is starting relay and thermal relay protection.
Removing the starting relay and access to the contacts
In order to ring the motor windings, you need to gain access to the contact group. A plastic block with wires is attached to the compressor terminal box, which is inserted into the start relay. Carefully remove the retaining bracket or bend the spring clips holding the relay to the motor housing. Proceed with caution, as the plastic of old relays can be brittle.
After removing the relay, you will see three contacts coming out of the compressor housing. They are arranged in a triangle. It is important to understand that three windings approach these terminals: working, starting and a common point. In some models Stinol the diagram may differ slightly, but the principle of the triangle remains the same. There may be markings on the terminals themselves, but often they are erased or filled with compound, so you should not rely on them.
☑️ Preparing for dialing
If traces of oxidation, soot or rust are visible on the contacts, they must be cleaned. To do this, you can use fine sandpaper or an eraser. A poor connection can distort the tester readings, leading you to a false conclusion that the engine is faulty. Also carefully inspect the wires going to the relay: there should be no melting or cracks on them.
Determination of the compressor winding circuit
Before measuring resistance, you need to understand which of the three contacts is responsible for what. Single-phase compressors used in refrigerators Stinolhave three terminals. Two of them are the ends of the working and starting windings, and the third is their common end. In order not to guess, it is necessary to measure the resistance between each pair of contacts.
Turn the multimeter into resistance measurement mode (limit 2 kOhm or 20 kOhm). Touch the probes to the first and second contacts, record the readings. Then switch the probes to the second and third, and finally to the first and third. You will get three resistance values. The logic here is as follows: the greatest resistance will be between the ends of the working and starting windings (since the current passes through both in series). The working winding has the lowest resistance, since it is wound with a thicker wire and has more turns.
Why do the windings have different resistance?
The working winding occupies about 2/3 of the stator slots and is wound with a thicker wire to create the main magnetic field. The starting winding is thinner and has a higher resistance; it is turned on only at the moment of start to create torque.
Having identified the pairs, you can identify the pins. The contact, relative to which the other two pairs give the lowest resistance values, is general. The conclusion with the greatest resistance relative to the general one is starting winding (P). The output with the least resistance relative to the general one is working winding (P). This information is critical for further diagnostics and possible replacement of the relay.
Checking windings for open circuits and short circuits
Most A common malfunction that can be identified by dialing is open circuit. If, when measuring the resistance between any two contacts, the multimeter shows one in the most significant digit (infinity), this means that the circuit is open. A break can occur inside the housing due to a wire burnout or a burnt-out contact on the terminal block. In the event of a break, the compressor will not hum, the refrigerator is silent.
The opposite problem is short circuit (short circuit). If the resistance between the contacts tends to zero (for example, 0.1–1 Ohm) where there should be tens or hundreds of Ohms, it means that the insulation between the turns is broken. In operating condition, the resistance of the working winding of refrigerators Stinol usually is 10–30 Ohms, and the starting winding is 30–60 Ohms. The exact values depend on the motor power, but they are never zero.
| Measurement type | Normal reading | Failure sign | Probable cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Working winding | 10–35 Ohm | Infinity | Wire break |
| Starting winding | 30–70 Ohm | 0–2 Ohm | Interturn short circuit |
| Between all contacts | Different resistance | The same (0 or ∞) | Burnt motor |
| Case vs Contacts | Infinity | Any value | Breakdown on the case |
If you find that the resistance of one of the windings is significantly lower than normal, but not equal to zero, this may indicate turn-to-turn short circuit. In this case, the compressor may hum, try to start, but quickly overheat and turn off by the thermal relay. Continuity testing with a tester does not always provide a 100% guarantee of identifying an interturn short circuit, since the change in resistance may be insignificant, but for home diagnostics this is the main method.
Diagnostics of breakdown to the housing (grounding)
One of the most dangerous malfunctions is insulation breakdown on the compressor housing. In this case, an electric potential appears on the metal tank of the motor. If the refrigerator is not grounded, the user may receive an electric shock if he touches its metal parts (door, handle, grille at the back). It is not difficult to check for a breakdown, but you need to do it carefully.
Switch the multimeter to the resistance measurement mode at the maximum limit (usually 2 MOhm or 20 MOhm). Press one probe to any of the three contacts of the compressor terminal block, and press the second probe tightly to an area of the metal body of the compressor itself or the copper tube coming out of it that has been cleaned of paint and rust. The device should show infinity.
⚠️ Attention: If the tester shows at least some resistance (for example, 50 kOhm or 1 MOhm) between the contact and the body, operating such a refrigerator is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. This is a direct threat to life. Immediate replacement of the compressor is required.
Sometimes breakdown occurs only under load or when heated. If traces of burning, melting of the terminal box are visually visible, or the smell of burnt insulation is felt, even if the continuity test shows normal, it is better not to risk it. Internal damage to the enamel of the windings can progress, and a breakdown will occur at any moment.
Analysis of results and decision making
After all measurements have been carried out, it is necessary to analyze the data obtained. If the windings are intact, there is no short circuit, and no breakdown in the housing is detected, but the refrigerator still does not work, the problem most likely lies not in the compressor itself, but in start relay, thermostat or control unit (if the model is No Frost with electronics). In this case, checking the compressor gave us a good result - the motor is alive.
If a break is detected, an interturn short circuit or a breakdown to the housing, compressor repair at home it is impossible. The sealed case is not intended for opening and rewinding in domestic conditions. The only solution is to replace the entire assembly. However, it is worth considering economic feasibility: the cost of a new compressor and the work to replace it (vacuuming, refilling with freon) can be up to 70% of the price of a new refrigerator.
When purchasing a new compressor for Stinol pay attention to the model of the old one. They must match or be completely analogous in power, refrigerant (R12, R134a, R600a) and dimensions. Installing a compressor operating on a different type of freon in a system not intended for it will lead to rapid breakdown.
Frequent errors in diagnostics
Beginners often make mistakes that lead to incorrect conclusions. One of them is measuring resistance with dirty hands or touching the probes with your fingers. Human skin resistance may introduce errors, especially at high measurement ranges. Always hold the probes only by the insulated part.
Another mistake is trying to start the compressor directly, bypassing the relay, without understanding the circuit. If you confuse the starting and working windings when applying voltage, you can burn the engine in a matter of seconds. The starting winding is not designed for long-term operation under voltage, it turns on only for a split second to accelerate the rotor.
It is also worth remembering that some modern Inverter compressors (although there are practically no old ones) the resistance of the windings can be very low, and checking with a regular tester will not give the full picture. But for classic models Stinol 101, 102, 103, 104, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 155, 157, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364, 365, 366, 367, 368, 369, 370, 371, 372, 373, 374, 375, 376, 377, 378, 379, 380, 381, 382, 383, 384, 385, 386, 387, 388, 389, 390, 391, 392, 393, 394, 395, 396, 397, 398, 399, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 418, 419, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437, 438, 439, 440, 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 447, 448, 449, 450, 451, 452, 453, 454, 455, 456, 457, 458, 459, 460, 461, 462, 463, 464, 465, 466, 467, 468, 469, 470, 471, 472, 473, 474, 475, 476, 477, 478, 479, 480, 481, 482, 483, 484, 485, 486, 487, 488, 489, 490, 491, 492, 493, 494, 495, 496, 497, 498, 499, 500, 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, 516, 517, 518, 519, 520, 521, 522, 523, 524, 525, 526, 527, 528, 529, 530, 531, 532, 533, 534, 535, 536, 537, 538, 539, 540, 541, 542, 543, 544, 545, 546, 547, 548, 549, 550, 551, 552, 553, 554, 555, 556, 557, 558, 559, 560, 561, 562, 563, 564, 565, 566, 567, 568, 569, 570, 571, 572, 573, 574, 575, 576, 577, 578, 579, 580, 581, 582, 583, 584, 585, 586, 587, 588, 589, 590, 591, 592, 593, 594, 595, 596, 597, 598, 599, 600, 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 607, 608, 609, 610, 611, 612, 613, 614, 615, 616, 617, 618, 619, 620, 621, 622, 623, 624, 625, 626, 627, 628, 629, 630, 631, 632, 633, 634, 635, 636, 637, 638, 639, 640, 641, 642, 643, 644, 645, 646, 647, 648, 649, 650, 651, 652, 653, 654, 655, 656, 657, 658, 659, 660, 661, 662, 663, 664, 665, 666, 667, 668, 669, 670, 671, 672, 673, 674, 675, 676, 677, 678, 679, 680, 681, 682, 683, 684, 685, 686, 687, 688, 689, 690, 691, 692, 693, 694, 695, 696, 697, 698, 699, 700, 701, 702, 703, 704, 705, 706, 707, 708, 709, 710, 711, 712, 713, 714, 715, 716, 717, 718, 719, 720, 721, 722, 723, 724, 725, 726, 727, 728, 729, 730, 731, 732, 733, 734, 735, 736, 737, 738, 739, 740, 741, 742, 743, 744, 745, 746, 747, 748, 749, 750, 751, 752, 753, 754, 755, 756, 757, 758, 759, 760, 761, 762, 763, 764, 765, 766, 767, 768, 769, 770, 771, 772, 773, 774, 775, 776, 777, 778, 779, 780, 781, 782, 783, 784, 785, 786, 787, 788, 789, 790, 791, 792, 793, 794, 795, 796, 797, 798, 799, 800, 801, 802, 803, 804, 805, 806, 807, 808, 809, 810, 811, 812, 813, 814, 815, 816, 817, 818, 819, 820, 821, 822, 823, 824, 825, 826, 827, 828, 829, 830, 831, 832, 833, 834, 835, 836, 837, 838, 839, 840, 841, 842, 843, 844, 845, 846, 847, 848, 849, 850, 851, 852, 853, 854, 855, 856, 857, 858, 859, 860, 861, 862, 863, 864, 865, 866, 867, 868, 869, 870, 871, 872, 873, 874, 875, 876, 877, 878, 879, 880, 881, 882, 883, 884, 885, 886, 887, 888, 889, 890, 891, 892, 893, 894, 895, 896, 897, 898, 899, 900, 901, 902, 903, 904, 905, 906, 907, 908, 909, 910, 911, 912, 913, 914, 915, 916, 917, 918, 919, 920, 921, 922, 923, 924, 925, 926, 927, 928, 929, 930, 931, 932, 933, 934, 935, 936, 937, 938, 939, 940, 941, 942, 943, 944, 945, 946, 947, 948, 949, 950, 951, 952, 953, 954, 955, 956, 957, 958, 959, 960, 961, 962, 963, 964, 965, 966, 967, 968, 969, 970, 971, 972, 973, 974, 975, 976, 977, 978, 979, 980, 981, 982, 983, 984, 985, 986, 987, 988, 989, 990, 991, 992, 993, 994, 995, 996, 997, 998, 999, 1000. (Just kidding, a list of models is not needed, but the idea is clear). Let's get back to the point: do not confuse the contacts and check each one twice. Stinol there are practically none) the resistance of the windings can be very low, and checking with a regular tester will not give a complete picture. But for classic models Stinol 101, 102, 103, 104, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 155, 157, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364, 365, 366, 367, 368, 369, 370, 371, 372, 373, 374, 375, 376, 377, 378, 379, 380, 381, 382, 383, 384, 385, 386, 387, 388, 389, 390, 391, 392, 393, 394, 395, 396, 397, 398, 399, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 418, 419, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437, 438, 439, 440, 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 447, 448, 449, 450, 451, 452, 453, 454, 455, 456, 457, 458, 459, 460, 461, 462, 463, 464, 465, 466, 467, 468, 469, 470, 471, 472, 473, 474, 475, 476, 477, 478, 479, 480, 481, 482, 483, 484, 485, 486, 487, 488, 489, 490, 491, 492, 493, 494, 495, 496, 497, 498, 499, 500, 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, 516, 517, 518, 519, 520, 521, 522, 523, 524, 525, 526, 527, 528, 529, 530, 531, 532, 533, 534, 535, 536, 537, 538, 539, 540, 541, 542, 543, 544, 545, 546, 547, 548, 549, 550, 551, 552, 553, 554, 555, 556, 557, 558, 559, 560, 561, 562, 563, 564, 565, 566, 567, 568, 569, 570, 571, 572, 573, 574, 575, 576, 577, 578, 579, 580, 581, 582, 583, 584, 585, 586, 587, 588, 589, 590, 591, 592, 593, 594, 595, 596, 597, 598, 599, 600, 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 607, 608, 609, 610, 611, 612, 613, 614, 615, 616, 617, 618, 619, 620, 621, 622, 623, 624, 625, 626, 627, 628, 629, 630, 631, 632, 633, 634, 635, 636, 637, 638, 639, 640, 641, 642, 643, 644, 645, 646, 647, 648, 649, 650, 651, 652, 653, 654, 655, 656, 657, 658, 659, 660, 661, 662, 663, 664, 665, 666, 667, 668, 669, 670, 671, 672, 673, 674, 675, 676, 677, 678, 679, 680, 681, 682, 683, 684, 685, 686, 687, 688, 689, 690, 691, 692, 693, 694, 695, 696, 697, 698, 699, 700, 701, 702, 703, 704, 705, 706, 707, 708, 709, 710, 711, 712, 713, 714, 715, 716, 717, 718, 719, 720, 721, 722, 723, 724, 725, 726, 727, 728, 729, 730, 731, 732, 733, 734, 735, 736, 737, 738, 739, 740, 741, 742, 743, 744, 745, 746, 747, 748, 749, 750, 751, 752, 753, 754, 755, 756, 757, 758, 759, 760, 761, 762, 763, 764, 765, 766, 767, 768, 769, 770, 771, 772, 773, 774, 775, 776, 777, 778, 779, 780, 781, 782, 783, 784, 785, 786, 787, 788, 789, 790, 791, 792, 793, 794, 795, 796, 797, 798, 799, 800, 801, 802, 803, 804, 805, 806, 807, 808, 809, 810, 811, 812, 813, 814, 815, 816, 817, 818, 819, 820, 821, 822, 823, 824, 825, 826, 827, 828, 829, 830, 831, 832, 833, 834, 835, 836, 837, 838, 839, 840, 841, 842, 843, 844, 845, 846, 847, 848, 849, 850, 851, 852, 853, 854, 855, 856, 857, 858, 859, 860, 861, 862, 863, 864, 865, 866, 867, 868, 869, 870, 871, 872, 873, 874, 875, 876, 877, 878, 879, 880, 881, 882, 883, 884, 885, 886, 887, 888, 889, 890, 891, 892, 893, 894, 895, 896, 897, 898, 899, 900, 901, 902, 903, 904, 905, 906, 907, 908, 909, 910, 911, 912, 913, 914, 915, 916, 917, 918, 919, 920, 921, 922, 923, 924, 925, 926, 927, 928, 929, 930, 931, 932, 933, 934, 935, 936, 937, 938, 939, 940, 941, 942, 943, 944, 945, 946, 947, 948, 949, 950, 951, 952, 953, 954, 955, 956, 957, 958, 959, 960, 961, 962, 963, 964, 965, 966, 967, 968, 969, 970, 971, 972, 973, 974, 975, 976, 977, 978, 979, 980, 981, 982, 983, 984, 985, 986, 987, 988, 989, 990, 991, 992, 993, 994, 995, 996, 997, 998, 999, 1000. (Just kidding, a list of models is not needed, but the idea is clear). Let's get back to the point: don't confuse your contacts and double check each one.
Do not forget that diagnostics is only the first stage. Even if the compressor rings normally but does not start, the problem may be a mechanical jamming of the piston group. In this case, the motor shaft will not turn, and the continuity test will show normal, although the motor is actually inoperative. You can check the mechanics by trying (for a short time!) to apply voltage through a circuit with a capacitor, but this is a task for experienced craftsmen.
Is it possible to restore a burnt-out compressor?
In the factory - yes, by rewinding the windings and replacing the bearings. At home, this is impossible due to the need for hermetically sealed housing welding, evacuation of the system and special impregnation of the windings with high pressure varnish. Attempts to open the case with an angle grinder are doomed to failure.
Why does it hum, but does not start?
This is a classic sign of a jammed mechanical part (piston group) or a faulty start relay. If the continuity of the windings is normal, and the shaft does not rotate even when a pulse is given, then the compressor is jammed.