You opened the refrigerator Indesit, and the food in the main chamber is warm, although the freezer works like usually? This problem is more common than it seems, and does not always require calling a technician. In 60% of cases, the malfunction is related to clogging of the refrigerant circulation system or fan failure, but there are other pitfalls. In this article we will look at why the refrigerator stopped cooling while the freezer continues to freeze - from simple icing to serious compressor breakdowns. fan all possible reasonswhy a refrigerator Indesit stopped cooling, while the freezer continues to freeze - from banal icing to serious compressor breakdowns.
It is important to understand: two-chamber models Indesit (for example, C 132 G, TN 3305 or DF 4180) are built on the principle priority cooling of the freezer. If the refrigerator compartment does not work, but the freezer does not, this is a signal of a problem in cold distribution systemand not a complete breakdown of the unit. We will not talk about the obvious (“check if the refrigerator is plugged in”), but will concentrate on real technical reasons that can be diagnosed without special equipment.
Before Before starting repairs, answer two questions: 1. Is the refrigerator making unusual sounds (humming, clicking, grinding)? Indesit Does it make unusual sounds (humming, clicking, grinding)? 2. Have you noticed ice on the back wall of the refrigerator compartment or under the vegetable drawers?
The answers will help narrow down the range of possible faults.
1. A clogged capillary tube is the most common reason
In 40% of cases, the culprit of the problem is clogging in the capillary tubedue to which the refrigerant (freon) enters the evaporator of the refrigeration chamber. Due to the blockage, freon cannot circulate in full, and there is only enough cold for the freezer. Signs of clogging:
- 🔹 The compressor runs without stopping (or with very short pauses).
- 🔹 The condenser (grid at the back of the refrigerator) is uniformly warm, and is not hot in one part and cold in another.
- 🔹 The refrigerator compartment does not cool at alleven if you set the minimum temperature.
Why is this happening? Not only freon circulates in the system, but also compressor oil. Over time, it oxidizes, forming deposits in the narrowest place - the capillary tube (its diameter is only ~0.6 mm). Also, blockage can be caused moistureby getting into the system when freon is filled incorrectly.
How to check? Unplug the refrigerator, defrost it for 10-12 hours, then turn it back on. If after 2-3 hours the refrigerator compartment began to cool, but then stopped again, the blockage is confirmed. Solution: the system needs to be cleaned or the capillary tube replaced (it’s difficult to do it yourself, you need special tools).
2. Failure of the blower fan (for models with No Frost) refrigeration chamber. If the fan is broken, the freezer will freeze, but the refrigerator will not. Signs of malfunction:
Models Indesit with the system No Frost (For example, DF 5200 or BIAA 13) are equipped with a fan that drives cold air from the freezer to the refrigerator compartment. If the fan is broken, the freezer will freeze, but the refrigerator will not. Signs of malfunction:
- 🌀 There is no air circulation in the refrigerator compartment (can be checked by placing your hand near the ventilation holes).
- 🌀 The refrigerator began to work quieter (no characteristic fan noise).
- 🌀 Ice forms on the back wall of the freezer (due to the lack of airflow, moisture does not evaporate).
Causes of fan failure: 1. Icing of the blades (if the door seal worn out, moisture enters the system). 2. Wear of bearings or motor (characteristic grinding noise during operation). 3. Ingress of foreign objects (for example, pieces of cling film).
How to fix it? Unplug the refrigerator, defrost it and check the fan. If the blades do not rotate freely or a grinding noise is heard, replacement is required. As a temporary measure, you can clean the ice and lubricate the bearings edible silicone oil (not car!).
How to get to the fan in the Indesit No Frost refrigerator?
1. Turn off the refrigerator and defrost it.
2. Remove the back panel in the freezer (usually secured with 4-6 screws).
3. The fan is located behind the evaporator - carefully remove it by disconnecting the power connector.
4. Check the blades for ice or mechanical damage.
3. Freon leakage - when the compressor runs “idle”
If there is a leak in the system leakage of refrigerant (freon), the compressor will work, but there will not be enough cold for both chambers. However, in two-compartment refrigerators Indesit the freezer often remains working due to priority distribution of freon. Signs of a leak:
- ❄️ The compressor runs without stopping, but the fridge compartment does not cool.
- ❄️ The condenser (grid at the back) remains cold (normally it should heat up).
- ❄️ Oil stains are visible on the tubes (freon leaves along with the oil).
Where to look for a leak? Most often, freon comes out in places where pipes are soldered or through microcracks in the evaporator. In models Indesit with a bottom freezer (TN 3305, C 138 NF), leakage often occurs in places where the tubes are attached to the body due to vibration.
How to fix? It is impossible to repair the leak yourself - it is required special equipment for soldering and refilling freon. However, you can temporarily “extend the life” of the refrigerator if:
- Turn it off for 24 hours (so that the oil flows into the compressor).
- Turn it on again - sometimes the remaining freon lasts for 1-2 weeks work.
⚠️ Attention: If a leak occurs in the freezer evaporator, repairs can cost up to 70% of the price of a new refrigerator. In this case, it is more advisable to consider replacing equipment.
4. Malfunction of the thermostat or temperature sensor
In refrigerators Indesit responsible for temperature regulation is thermostat (in mechanical models) or temperature sensor (in electronic ones). If they fail, the compressor may not turn on to cool the refrigerator compartment while the freezer continues to operate. Signs:
- 🌡️ The compressor turns on rarely or does not turn on at all (although the freezer is freezing).
- 🌡️ The light inside the refrigerator compartment does not turn off when the door is closed (in models with electronic control).
- 🌡️ The display shows an incorrect temperature (for example, +20°C when the actual +10°C).
How to check the thermostat? In mechanical models (Indesit C 132 G), you can temporarily close the thermostat contacts with a screwdriver. If the compressor starts, the thermostat is faulty. In electronic models (Indesit BIAA 13), diagnostics with a multimeter is required (the resistance of the sensor should change with temperature changes).
Repair cost:
— Replacement of the thermostat: ~1,500–2,500 ₽.
— Replacement of the temperature sensor: ~2,000–3,500 ₽ (depending on the model).
In most cases, this is justified, since a breakdown does not lead to more serious consequences.
| Refrigerator model | Control type | Cost of sensor/thermostat | Difficulty of replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indesit C 132 G | Mechanical | 1 200–1 800 ₽ | Low (can be replaced independently) |
| Indesit DF 4180 | Electronic | 2 000–2 800 ₽ | Medium (requires a soldering iron) |
| Indesit BIAA 13 | Electronic (No Frost) | 2 500–3 500 ₽ | High (needs to disassemble the panel) |
5. Problems with the door seal - when the cold “leaks away”
If the rubber seal on the refrigerator door is worn out or dirty, warm air gets inside and the temperature does not drop to the desired level. At the same time, the freezer continues to work normally, since its door is sealed. Signs:
- 🚪 Cracks or deformations are visible on the seal.
- 🚪 The door does not close tightly (you can check with a sheet of paper - if it pulls out easily, the seal is faulty).
- 🚪 Condensation forms in the refrigerator compartment on the back wall.
How to check the tightness? Take a flashlight, place it inside the refrigerator compartment and close the door. If light is visible in the dark, the seal allows air to pass through. You can also use test with a sheet of paper:
- Place the sheet between the seal and the body.
- Close the door and try to pull the sheet out.
- If it comes out without effort, the seal needs to be changed.
Solution:
— Clean the seal warm soap solution (sometimes it is enough to remove grease and dirt).
— If the rubber is deformed, replace it (the cost of a new seal for Indesit: ~1 500–3 000 ₽).
— Adjust the door hinges (if the door is sagging).
1. Measure the length of the old seal (they come in different configurations).
2. Order an original spare part according to the refrigerator model.
3. Warm up the new one before installation. seal with a hair dryer (it will become more elastic).
4. Use silicone sealant for fixation.-->
6. Breakage of the switching valve (in models with one compressor)
Two-chamber refrigerators Indesit s one compressor (for example, Indesit TN 3305) are equipped with solenoid valve, which distributes the cold between the chambers. If the valve is jammed or burnt out, all the cold goes into the freezer, and the refrigerator compartment remains warm. Signs:
- 🔄 The freezer freezes food (temperature below -20°C).
- 🔄 The compressor operates in cycles, but the refrigerator compartment does not cools.
- 🔄 When switching modes, clicks are heard, but the temperature does not change.
How to diagnose? Turn off the refrigerator, find the valve (usually it is located next to the compressor) and check it with a multimeter. The winding resistance should be within the limits 100–300 OhmIf the device shows an open circuit or a short circuit. — the valve is faulty.
Repair cost:
— Valve replacement: ~2,500–4,000 RUR (including labor).
— Temporary solution: you can try knocking on valve (sometimes this helps if it is jammed due to oxidation).
⚠️ Attention: If the switching valve is burned out, this may be a consequence voltage surgeCheck the stability of the network and install voltage relay (cost ~2,000 ₽) to avoid repeated breakdown.
7. Clogged drainage hole - when water blocks the cold
If the drainage hole in the refrigerator compartment is clogged, condensation does not flow into the pan, but freezes at the bottom of the chamber, blocking air circulation. As a result, the temperature rises, although the freezer operates normally. Signs:
- 💧 Water accumulates under the vegetable drawers.
- 💧 Ice on the back wall of the refrigerator compartment.
- 💧 Unpleasant odor due to stagnant water.
How to clean the drain? 1. Turn off the refrigerator and take out all the food. 2. Find the drainage hole (usually in the center of the back wall above the vegetable tray). 3. Clean it with a plastic tube (you can use a juice straw) or a syringe with warm water. 4. Rinse the hole with a soda solution (1 tablespoon per 1 liter of water) to remove mold.
If the blockage is severe, you can use wire with a diameter of 2-3 mm, but act carefully so as not to damage the plastic. After cleaning, the refrigerator should begin to cool within 2-3 hours.
What to do if nothing helps?
If you have tried all the methods, but the refrigerator compartment still does not work, more serious damage is possible:
- 🔧 Compressor malfunction (it may work, but not create the required pressure).
- 🔧 Failure of the control board (in electronic models).
- 🔧 Clogged filter drier (replacement and refilling required freon).
In these cases, professional diagnostics are indispensable. Average repair cost:
| Type of failure | Repair cost (₽) | Term repair |
|---|---|---|
| Replacement of the compressor | 6 000–12 000 | 1–2 days |
| Repair of the control board | 3 500–7 000 | 2–5 days (if spare parts are needed) |
| Replacement of the filter-drier + refilling freon | 4 500–8 000 | 1 day |
Before agreeing to repair, ask the technician to conduct free diagnostics and state the exact reason. If the cost of repair exceeds 50% of the price of a new refrigerator, it makes sense to consider replacing the equipment.
⚠️ Attention: In models Indesit over 10 years old (up to 2014 production) often fails compressor start-up relay. Its replacement costs ~1,500 rubles, but if the relay burns out again, this is a signal of the imminent death of the compressor.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about a non-working refrigeration chamber
Is it possible to fill freon into the refrigerator yourself Indesit?
No. Refilling freon requires vacuum pump, pressure manifold i special cylinders with refrigerant. Incorrect filling can lead to compressor explosion or leakage of freon into the room (R-600a freon is flammable!). to the master.
Why does the Indesit refrigerator hum, but not freezes?
This is a sign of turn-to-turn short circuit in the compressor or clogging of the capillary tube. In the first case, the compressor will heat up and turn off after 5-10 minutes of operation, in the second, it will work without stopping, but will not cool. Diagnostics: turn off the refrigerator for 1 hour, then turn it on if the compressor starts and immediately turns off. - it is faulty.
How much does it cost to replace the compressor in an Indesit refrigerator?
The cost depends on the model:
— Compressor for Indesit C 132 G: ~5,000–7,000 ₽ (with work).
— Compressor for Indesit DF 5200 (No Frost): ~7 000–9 000 ₽.
—Price includes replacing the filter-drier i filling freon. Without this, the new compressor will quickly fail.
Can an Indesit refrigerator not cool due to a power surge?
Yes. Sudden voltage changes (below 180V or above 240V) can burn:
— control board (symptom: the refrigerator does not turn on at all or everything blinks indicators);
— compressor (symptom: the compressor hums, but does not start);
— solenoid valve (symptom: the freezer is working, the refrigerator is not).
Solution: install voltage stabilizer or voltage control relay (cost from 2,000 ₽).How often do you need to defrost the Indesit No Frost refrigerator?
Controlled defrosting needed every 6-12 months, even if the model is with No Frost. This helps:
— Remove ice that the system does not have time to thaw.
— Clean the drainage holes.
— Extend the service life of the fan and defrost heating element.
How to defrost: unplug the refrigerator for 12-24 hours, leave the door open, then wipe all surfaces with a solution of vinegar (1:1 with water).