The situation when Ariston refrigerator does not coolalways takes you by surprise, because food supplies are at risk. Owners of Ariston household appliances often encounter the fact that the unit continues to operate, hum and light bulbs, but the temperature inside the chambers does not drop to the required values. This can happen suddenly or increase gradually when the food begins to thaw and condensation appears on the walls.
Before calling a technician or panicking, it is necessary to carry out an initial diagnosis to understand the scale of the problem. Refrigeration equipment Ariston, be it classic two-chamber models or modern systems No Frost, has its typical "diseases". Most often, the reason lies in a violation of the tightness of the circuit, failure of the electronics, or a banal blockage of the capillary tube. Understanding the principles of operation will help you quickly navigate further actions.
In this article we will examine in detail the main reasons for the lack of cold, methods for identifying them and methods for troubleshooting. You will learn how to distinguish a thermostat failure from a freon leak and why the compressor may be running on empty. A competent approach to diagnostics will save you time and money, and will also allow you to extend the life of your unit.
Primary diagnostics: external signs and simple checks
You should start identifying the malfunction with the simplest steps that do not require disassembling the case. Often Ariston refrigerator stops freezing due to simple things: improper installation, blocking of the ventilation holes or a power surge. Carefully inspect the equipment from the outside and listen to the sounds it makes in operating mode.
Pay attention to the operation of the compressor. If the engine hums smoothly and turns on and off cyclically, but there is no cold, this is one scenario. If the engine tries to start, clicks and immediately stalls, or, conversely, runs continuously without stopping - these are completely different symptoms, indicating more serious problems with electric motor or the starting relay.
Check the tightness of the rubber seals to the housing. The door must close tightly, without gaps. If the seal is dirty, deformed, or simply does not fit due to the skew of the door, warm air constantly enters the chamber. Compressor in this case, it works for wear, trying to compensate for the heat influx, but does not cope with the task.
- 🔌 Check the integrity of the power cord and the reliability of the plug connection socket - sometimes the problem lies in poor contact.
- ❄️ Make sure that there is a gap between the back wall of the refrigerator and the furniture for the air circulation necessary for the radiator.
- 🚪 Inspect the door hinges for sagging, which may interfere with the tightness of the chamber closure.
No Frost system malfunctions and defrosting problems
Ariston models equipped with the system No Frostoften encounter problems with cold air circulation. In such units, the evaporator is hidden behind a plastic panel, and cooling occurs due to forced ventilation by a fan. If you hear that the motor is running, but it is warm in the chamber, and snow or ice is visible on the back wall, most likely the defrost cycle is broken.
The defrost system consists of a heating element (heater), a defrost sensor and a timer (or electronic control module). If any of these elements fails, an ice coat builds up on the evaporator, which blocks the air supply channels. As a result, the fan moves air, but it does not pass through the frozen heat exchanger, and cold does not enter the chamber.
⚠️ Attention: If you defrosted the refrigerator manually during the day, and it started working, but a week later the situation repeated itself - this is a guaranteed sign of a system malfunction defrost. Do not ignore a recurring symptom.
To diagnose, you need to remove the back panel in the freezer and visually assess the condition of the evaporator. A uniform, thin layer of frost is normal. If you see massive ice build-ups or, conversely, the evaporator is completely dry while the compressor is running, you need to check Heating element and the sensors with a multimeter for breaks or short circuits.
Refrigerant leak: how to detect and what to do
One of the most unpleasant reasons why Ariston refrigerator does not freeze is a freon (refrigerant) leak. The gas circulates in a closed loop, and if a microcrack or fistula appears in the tubes, the refrigerant gradually evaporates. Without a sufficient amount of freon, the heat exchange process becomes impossible, and the temperature in the chambers rises.
Often a leak occurs in the foamed part of the case or in places where the tubes are soldered, which makes visual detection of the damage site difficult. Indirect signs are: a working compressor that practically does not heat up (remains cold or warm, but not hot), and the absence of characteristic gurgling or hissing in the tubes during operation.
Modern Ariston models use environmentally friendly, but fire-hazardous R600a freon. Its leakage requires special care when repairing. Finding a leak on your own without special equipment (leak detector) and a vacuum pump is almost impossible. Attempts to simply “top up” gas without eliminating the fistula will only give a temporary effect.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Compressor is hot, no cold | Clogger capillary tube | Purge the system, replace the filter |
| The compressor is cold, runs constantly | Freon leak | Looking for leaks, soldering, refilling |
| The evaporator is covered ice unevenly | Partial leak | Circuit diagnostics |
| The chamber smells of burnt rubber | Problem with wiring or motor | Urgent shutdown from the network |
If a leak is confirmed, the technician will pressurize the system with nitrogen to find where the gas is escaping. After eliminating the defect, the circuit is evacuated to remove moisture and air, and only then the exact amount refrigerantindicated on the technical sticker is charged.
Problems with the compressor and start relay
The heart of any The refrigerator is the compressor. If Ariston refrigerator it does not cool, and the motor is silent or makes strange sounds, the problem may be in the engine itself or in the starting equipment. The starting relay is responsible for starting the engine by sending an impulse to the starting winding. Over time, the relay contacts burn out, and it ceases to perform its function.
You can diagnose a relay malfunction by a characteristic click when you try to start, after which the compressor hums for several seconds and turns off due to thermal protection. In some cases, the relay simply does not click, and the motor shows no signs of life, although voltage is supplied to it. Replacing the relay is a simple procedure and is often performed independently if you have basic skills.
A more serious situation arises when the compressor windings are shorted between turns or the piston group is jammed. In this case, the engine may hum strongly, heat up, knock out circuit breakers in the apartment, or have a specific burning smell. Replacing the compressor This is a complex repair that requires working with an open fire (burner) and refrigerant, so it is better to entrust it to professionals.
Is it possible restore a jammed compressor?
There is a “wedging” method by applying increased voltage or mechanical action, but in household repair conditions this rarely gives long-term results. Most often, such a compressor operates for a short time and finally fails.
Malfunctions of the thermostat and electronic module
The operation of the refrigerator is controlled either by a mechanical thermostat or an electronic control module. If thermostat fails, it may not “see” that it is already warm in the chamber and may not give the command to turn on the compressor. In mechanical models, this is a common problem that can be solved by replacing the sensor.
In models with electronic control (where the temperature is set by buttons and displayed on the display), the control board is responsible for all processes. Voltage surges in the network can lead to combustion of board elements, in particular, the triac that controls the compressor. Visually, this may look like a lack of response to buttons or chaotic blinking of indicators.
Sometimes the problem lies not in the board itself, but in temperature sensors (thermistors), which transmit incorrect data to the module. If the sensor “lies” that it is -30°C in the chamber, although it is +10°C, the compressor simply will not turn on. Diagnostics requires testing the sensors and checking their resistance with the table of ratings for a specific model Ariston.
⚠️ Attention: When replacing a thermostat or sensors, it is important to use original components or high-quality analogues. Cheap spare parts may have a different resistance characteristic, which will lead to incorrect operation of the refrigerator and spoilage of food.
Clogged capillary system and filter-drier
The capillary tube is the thinnest channel through which the refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator. Due to its microscopic diameter, it becomes clogged with oil oxidation products, moisture or debris that entered the system during poor-quality previous repairs. The filter drier located in front of the capillary is designed to retain moisture and dirt, but over time it also becomes clogged.
When clogged, the circulation of freon is disrupted. The compressor tries to push the gas through, creating high pressure before the blockage and a vacuum after it. A characteristic sign is that the condenser (grid at the back) only partially heats up (usually to the point of blockage), and the rest remains cold. The compressor itself runs very hot.
Removing the blockage requires professional intervention. The technician cuts the filter, purges the system with nitrogen under high pressure, replaces the filter drier and refills the refrigerator. It is impossible to perform this operation independently without a vacuum pump and a pressure gauge station.
☑️ Signs of a clogged capillary system
Frequently asked questions and answers (FAQ)
Why does the Ariston refrigerator freeze in only one compartment?
Most often this indicates a problem with the cold distribution system (in No Frost models) or a partial leak of freon. If the upper chamber does not freeze, the air supply duct may be clogged or the damper regulator may be faulty. If the bottom (freezer) does not freeze, a leak or blockage is likely.
How long should a new refrigerator cool down after turning it on?
The first achievement of operating temperature can take from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the volume of the chambers and the ambient temperature in the room. Do not completely load the refrigerator with food on the first day, let it return to normal.
Is it possible to operate the refrigerator if it does not freeze?
For a short time - yes, for diagnostics. But long-term operation without cold is harmful to the compressor, since the oil in the system does not circulate properly and is not cooled. If the reason is not found within 1-2 hours, it is better to turn off the device.
What does the flashing temperature indicator on the Ariston panel mean?
A flashing indicator usually signals that the temperature in the chamber has risen above the permissible limit. This can happen either immediately after switching on or during a malfunction. If the blinking does not stop after entering the mode, diagnostics are needed.