Refrigerators Stinol are deservedly considered one of the most repairable units on the domestic market. Their design, despite the advanced age of many models, allows for the replacement of most components without the involvement of expensive specialists. However, the most common reason for calling a professional or doing it yourself is the failure of the thermostat. This thermostat is responsible for maintaining the set temperature inside the chambers, and its breakdown leads either to a complete stop of the compressor or to continuous operation of the motor with subsequent “freezing” of the products.
Before proceeding with dismantling, you must clearly understand that replacing this element requires care, especially when working with a long capillary tube, which is the sensitive part of the device. Any damage to this tube or failure of the bellows will result in freon leaking from the thermostat circuit, after which it will become completely unusable. In this article, we will analyze in detail the process of removing the old sensor, diagnosing and installing a new device so that your refrigerator works properly again.
DIY Repair allows you to save a significant amount, since the cost of calling a technician is often comparable to the price of a new spare part. It is only important to follow the safety precautions and the sequence of actions described below. We will look at the nuances of removing handles, fastening features in different models Stinol and methods for checking the functionality of the removed unit.
Diagnostics and signs of a thermostat malfunction
Before disassembling the refrigerator, you should make sure that the problem lies in the thermostat. Symptoms may vary, but most often users are faced with a situation where the compressor either does not start at all or works without stopping. In the first case, the products begin to deteriorate due to rising temperatures, in the second - they freeze even in the vegetable compartment. Thermostat This is an electrical switch that opens the circuit when the desired cold is reached.
For an initial check, you can carry out a simple test: if the refrigerator does not turn on, try closing the contacts of the suitable wire thermostat (after disconnecting the unit from the network!). If the motor starts running after being plugged in, then the problem is most likely in the sensor. It is also worth paying attention to external signs: a melted body, traces of oxidation, or a characteristic click that should be heard when turning the handle, but is absent.
⚠️ Attention: Before any manipulations with electrical components, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. Working under voltage is strictly prohibited and is dangerous to life.
Sometimes the cause of incorrect operation is not the breakdown itself, but incorrect settings or a frozen capillary tube. If you notice that the tube coming from the thermostat is covered with a “fur coat” or ice, the thermal contact may be broken. In such cases, replacement may not be necessary; it will be enough to defrost the unit. However, if the unit has stopped freezing completely, the probability of failure of the electrical part of the thermostat is extremely high.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
To successfully carry out the operation of replacing the thermostat in the refrigerator Stinol no complex professional equipment. However, having the right tool will significantly speed up the process and minimize the risk of damaging the plastic elements of the case. The main difficulty is access to the unit, which is often hidden behind decorative panels or located in hard-to-reach places.
You will need a standard home craftsman's kit. Pay special attention to the choice of screwdrivers: refrigerators often use screws of different standards, and using the wrong bit can tear off the fastener head. Also, to check the removed element, you will need multimeter, without which it is impossible to accurately diagnose the serviceability of the contacts.
- 🔧 Screwdrivers (Phillips and flat) - for removing panels and terminals.
- 🔧 Round nose pliers or pliers - for carefully removing the tube.
- 🔧 Multimeter - for checking the continuity of the thermostat circuit.
- 🔧 Flashlight - to illuminate the interior of the camera.
Prepare a place to work: it should be well lit and free from unnecessary objects. Take care to defrost the refrigerator in advance if there is ice in the compartments, as moisture may get on the electrical contacts. Have a container underneath for collecting water and a rag for wiping.
Removing the temperature control knob
The first stage of work is always removing the handle, which is used to mechanically control the thermostat. In refrigerators Stinol this part can be fastened in different ways, and the application of excessive force is unacceptable here. Most often, the handle is simply pressed onto the thermostat rod, but in some modifications it is secured with a locking screw or latches.
Carefully inspect the end of the handle or the place where it connects to the body. If you see a hole for a screw, you need to unscrew it. If there are no visible fasteners, then an interference fit is used. In this case, the handle must be carefully loosened from side to side, gradually pulling it towards you. Sharp jerks can lead to breakage of the plastic rod inside.
Sometimes the handle is removed along with the decorative trim. On models with electronic control or a combination interface, you may need to pry the plastic panel with a thin object. Be careful not to leave scratches on the glossy surface or break the fragile plastic latches.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use metal tools (knives, screwdrivers) to pry off the handle if it is plastic. This is almost guaranteed to leave chips and scuffs. Use only your fingers or plastic spatulas.
☑️ Preparing to remove the handle
Disassembling the internal panel and access to the thermostat
After removing the handle, access to the inside of the door or top panel of the refrigerator compartment, where it is directly installed thermostat. In classic models Stinol the thermostat is often hidden under a plastic box or cover. To remove it, you will need to unscrew several screws, which may be hidden under decorative plugs.
Remove the plugs (if any) and unscrew the mounting screws. Be careful: the length of the screws may vary, so it is advisable to arrange them in the order they were unscrewed or label the installation locations. After removing the fasteners, the plastic panel can usually be removed with a slight movement, but you may need to unclip the plastic latches around the perimeter.
Inside you will see the thermostat itself with the wires going to it and a long corrugated tube coming out of it. This capillary tube goes deep into the fridge compartment, often passing through special channels in the wall or seal. The main task at this stage is to free access to the thermostat body without damaging the tube.
| Element | Fixing | Tool | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulator handle | Interference fit / Screw | Fingers / Screwdriver | Pull strictly along the axis, without loosening too much |
| Thermostat cover | Screws / Latches | Phillips screwdriver | Screws can be of different lengths |
| Wiring | Terminal block | Flat screwdriver | Remember the connection order |
| Capillary tube | Clips / Grooves | Pliers | Requires maximum care |
In some On models, access to the thermostat is through the top of the refrigerator compartment. In this case, you may need to remove the ceiling light or top trim strip. The design Stinol usually allows this to be done without completely disassembling the door.
Removing the capillary tube and removing the assembly
This is the most critical stage of the work. The capillary tube of the thermostat is very thin and sensitive to creases. There is refrigerant inside it, and any depressurization will render the new device useless even before installation. The tube can be secured with plastic clips or simply placed in special grooves on the chamber wall.
Carefully remove the fastening clips. If the tube passes through the door sealing rubber, it must be released very slowly, pulling it out of the channel a millimeter at a time. Often the tube has a thickening (sensing element) at the end, which passes through the hole with difficulty. Do not pull the tube itself with force - it is better to gently help with your fingers, pushing the thickening.
After the tube is freed along its entire length, you can disconnect the electrical wires. Remove the terminals from the thermostat contacts. Then remove the screws securing the thermostat housing to the refrigerator wall. Now the assembly can be removed completely.
What to do if the tube is stuck?
If the capillary tube is stuck in the seal channel, do not pull it by force. Try lightly lubricating the channel with silicone grease or gently kneading the seal with your fingers to widen the passage. Sudden movements can break the tube.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to bend the capillary tube at an acute angle or twist it. The bending radius must be smooth (at least 3-5 cm), otherwise the tube will break and the freon will come out.
When removing, pay attention to the length of the tube. In new thermostats it is often longer than in the original ones. The excess length can be carefully twisted into a ring (observing the bend radius) and placed behind the back wall or in a special compartment, but under no circumstances cut the tube!
Checking the functionality of the removed thermostat
Before throwing away the old thermostat or installing a new one, it makes sense to carry out a final diagnostic. This will help ensure that you have correctly identified the cause of the problem and avoid a situation where replacing the part does not solve the problem. To check, you will need multimeterswitched to the continuity or resistance measurement mode.
Connect the multimeter probes to the contacts of the thermostat. At room temperature, the contacts should be closed (the device beeps or shows zero), if it is a thermostat for the refrigerator compartment. If there is no contact, try turning the rod (the place where the handle was) counterclockwise until it stops - you should hear a click and the circuit will open. When turned back, it will close again.
- 🔍 No reaction: If the device is silent at any position of the knob, the thermostat is faulty.
- 🔍 No click: The absence of a characteristic switching sound indicates a breakdown of the mechanical part.
- 🔍 Open circuit: If the multimeter shows infinite resistance in the “on” position, the contacts are burnt out.
Also inspect the sensing element at the end of the tube. If there are signs of corrosion, swelling or oily stains, this is a sign of depressurization. In this case, replacement is inevitable, even if the electrical part is still working.
Installation of a new thermostat and assembly
Installation of a new thermostat is carried out in the reverse order of dismantling. Insert the sensing tube of the new device into the canal, carefully guiding it along the same path where the old one lay. Make sure that the tube does not rub against the sharp edges of the metal and is not pinched by the door when closing.
Secure the thermostat housing with screws, connect the wires to the contacts according to the previously taken photo or color marking. Usually standard colors are used, but it is better to double-check the scheme. Replace the plastic panel and secure it with self-tapping screws.
Place the adjustment knob onto the rod. Make sure it fits snugly and doesn't move around. After assembly, plug in the refrigerator. Initial startup may take some time as the compressor needs to build up pressure. Monitor the temperature in the chamber during the first day of operation.
If the refrigerator began to operate normally, turning on and off cyclically, it means the repair was successful. Products can be loaded gradually so as not to create a sudden thermal load on the newly repaired system.
How to determine whether the thermostat is selected correctly?
A correctly selected thermostat should ensure that the compressor turns off when the temperature reaches about +2...+4°C in the main chamber. If the refrigerator turns off too early (does not freeze) or too late (everything is frozen), perhaps the temperature range of the new thermostat does not meet the requirements of your model. Stinol.
Can you use a thermostat from another refrigerator?
You can use an analogue, but only if the parameters match: capillary tube length, thread diameter, temperature range and type of contacts. Installing an unsuitable sensor can lead to incorrect operation of the compressor and spoilage of products.
What to do if the new tube is too long?
The excess length of the capillary tube cannot be cut off. It must be carefully rolled into a ring with a radius of at least 40-50 mm and placed in the free space behind the back wall of the refrigerator compartment or in a special compartment, ensuring that it does not interfere with moving parts.