Start relay in the Indesit refrigerator: where is it located and how to find it

If your refrigerator Indesit stops freezing, makes clicks, but does not start, the problem may lie in start relay (start relay). This small but critical element is responsible for supplying voltage to the compressor when it is turned on. Without a working relay, the motor simply will not be able to start, even if the compressor itself is working.

Finding a relay in the refrigerator Indesit is not difficult if you know where to look. In most models (for example Indesit BIA 18, Indesit DF 4180, Indesit C 138 NF) it is located next to the compressor in the lower part of the rear wall. However, in some series (especially with electronic control), the relay can be integrated into control unit or hidden under a protective casing. Next, we will analyze all the location options, provide photos and diagrams, and also tell you how to distinguish the relay from other parts.

⚠️ Warning: Before searching for the relay, be sure to unplug the refrigerator! Capacitors in the compressor power circuit may retain dangerous voltage even after being turned off.

1. What does the start relay look like in an Indesit refrigerator

The start relay (start relay) is a small plastic box, usually black, gray or white, the size of a pack of cigarettes. It is attached directly to compressor or located next to it on a metal bracket. Distinctive features:

• 🔌 Has two or three terminals for connecting wires (one goes from the network, the other to the compressor).
• 🔊 When when shaking inside, you can hear rolling of a metal ball (in mechanical relays).
• 📏 Often marked with inscriptions: START RELAY, PTC, RANCO or logo Indesit.
• 🔧 Attached to compressor using latches or screws.

In refrigerators Indesit older models (before 2010) were often installed mechanical relays with a coil and a core. In new ones (after 2015) - mainly electronic (posistor)which look like a flat plastic block with metal contacts.

2. Where is the start relay located: 3 possible locations

The location of the relay depends on the model of the refrigerator and the type of control system. Below are all the options with photos and diagrams.

2.1. On a compressor (the most common case)

B 90% of Indesit models (for example, Indesit BIAA 13, Indesit TLAA 10, Indesit C 132 G) the relay is attached directly to the compressor housing. To find it:

1. Unplug the refrigerator from the outlet.
2. Move it away from the wall and remove rear protective panel (if any).
3. At the bottom you will see a black metal cylinder this is a compressor.
4. Next to it (usually on the top or side) there is a relay fixed - a plastic box with wires.

Photo: Start relay (black block with wires) on the compressor of the Indesit BIAA 16 refrigerator

2.2. In the control unit (for models with an electronic display)

In refrigerators with display and touch buttons (for example, Indesit ITF 118, Indesit EWD 81052) the relay can be built into main control module. Its location:

• 📱 Under the top panel (behind the plastic cover above the door).
• 🔌 Next to the control board, to which the wires from compressor.

In this case, the relay looks like a small microcircuit or a separate block on the board. You can distinguish it by the inscription RELAY or COMPRESSOR START on the PCB.

2.3. Under the protective casing (in models with the No Frost system)

In refrigerators Indesit with No Frost (for example, Indesit DFA 5200, Indesit BIA 20) the relay is sometimes hidden under a metal or plastic casing next to the compressor. To get it:

1. Remove the back cover of the refrigerator.
2. Unscrew the screws securing the casing (usually 2-4 pieces).
3. Under the casing you will see a relay screwed to the frame or compressor.

How to distinguish relay from the thermostat?

The thermostat (thermostat) is usually located inside the chamber, next to the lighting lamp, and is connected to it capillary tube (thin copper tube). The start relay is always located outsidenext to the compressor, and has no tubes, only wires.

3. Table: Relay location in popular Indesit models

Below is data on the most common series. If your model is not in the list, focus on the year of manufacture and type of control.

⚠️ Attention: In refrigerators Indesit with inverter compressors (series Innex), the start relay may be absent - its functions are performed by the electronic control unit.

4. Signs of a faulty start relay

If the relay fails, the refrigerator will behave in one of the following ways:

• ❌ The compressor does not turn on —the light inside is on, but the motor does not start.
• 🔊 Clicks without starting —repeated clicks are heard (the relay tries work, but cannot).
• ⏱️ The compressor runs for 1-2 seconds and turns off.
• 🔥 The relay gets hot or smells like burning.
• ⚡ The refrigerator turns on only after repeated attempts (for example, after 5-10 clicks).

To confirm the relay malfunction, you can carry out a simple test:

1. Disconnect the refrigerator from the network.
2. Remove the relay from the compressor (disconnect the wires, remembering their location!).
3. Shake it - if nothing rattles inside (in mechanical relays), this is a sign of a breakdown.
4. Check the contacts for melting or blackening.

5. How to remove and replace the start relay

Replacing the relay is one of the simplest repair operations. You will need:

• 🔧 Phillips screwdriver.
• 📸 Phone (to take a photo of the wiring diagram!).
• 🛒 New relay (suitable for your model).

Step-by-step instructions:

⚠️ Attention: If after replacing the relay the compressor does not start, check start-up protection relay (sometimes it is combined with the start relay) and capacitor. In some models Indesit they come in one block.

6. Where to buy a relay for an Indesit refrigerator

A new relay can be purchased:

• 🛒 In shops of spare parts for household appliances (for example, “220 Volt”, “Techport”).
• 🌍 On marketplaces (Wildberries, Ozon, AliExpress).
• 🔧 In Indesit service centers (original parts).
• 📦 At flea markets (for example, Avito, Yula) - used relays from disassembled refrigerators.

Cost of a new relay for Indesit — from 500 to 2000 rubles, depending on the type (mechanical or electronic). When purchasing, pay attention to:

• 📌 Refrigerator model (indicated in the passport on the sticker inside the chamber).
• 🔌 Type compressor (for example, Embraco, Secop).
• 📏 Number of contacts (2 or 3 terminals).

⚠️ Warning: Do not buy relays with the inscription UNIVERSAL - they often do not match the characteristics and can burn the compressor. It is better to take an original or an analogue with the same parameters.

7. Common mistakes when searching and replacing relays

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes. Here's what cannot be done:

• ⚡ Check the relay under voltage - it is life-threatening!
• 🔌 Connect the wires at random —if you confuse phase and zero, the compressor will burn out.
• 🔧 Use a relay from another model —even if it looks similar, the parameters may not match.
• 📱 Do not photograph the connection diagram —without a photo it’s easy to forget which wire went where.
• 🔨 Tear off by force relay —in older models the plastic becomes brittle and can break.

If after replacing the relay the refrigerator does not work, the problem may be in:

• 🔋 Condenser (it helps the relay start the compressor).
• 🔄 Thermostat (does not give a signal to turn on).
• 🔌 Open circuit in the power supply (check the wires with a multimeter).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the start relay in Indesit refrigerators

Can the start relay be repaired or just replaced?

Mechanical relays (with clicks) can sometimes be repaired - for example, if the contacts have oxidized or the spring has weakened. Electronic (posistor) relays cannot be repaired they are only replaced.

How to check the relay. multimeter?

1. Set the multimeter to resistance test mode (200 Ohm).
2. Connect the probes to the relay terminals:
— Between S (start) and M (motor) there should be resistance 10–30 Ohm.
- Between L (line) and M — 0 Ohm (short circuit).
3. If the readings are different, the relay is faulty.

What will happen if you install a relay from another model?

If the parameters (current, voltage, response time) do not match, the compressor may:
— Do not start at all.
— Operate with overheating and quickly burn out.
— Switch on jerkily, which will lead to power surges in the network.

How long does the start relay last?

Service life depends on the type:
— Mechanical relays: 5–10 years.
— Electronic (posistor): 7–15 years.
Wear is affected by power surges, frequent switching on/off of the refrigerator and compressor overheating.

Is it possible to start a refrigerator without a relay?

Technically yes, but only for diagnostics! Connect the compressor directly to the network (bypassing the relay) for 1-2 seconds. If it works, the problem is definitely in the relay. You cannot operate it for a long time — the compressor will burn out without protection.