A breakdown of the temperature control system in the refrigerator often leaves the owner with a difficult choice: call a technician or try to figure it out on his own. One of the key elements responsible for maintaining the correct microclimate is thermal relay (or thermostat). It is this unit that sends a signal to the compressor to turn on or off depending on the temperature inside the chambers. If your Indesit stops freezing or, conversely, turns food into ice blocks, the problem may lie in this component.
In this article we will look in detail at where the thermal relay is located in various models of Indesit refrigerators, and how to get to it for diagnostics. Understanding the design of your unit is the first step to successful repairs without extra costs. Safety precautions requires that the device be disconnected from the network before starting any work.
Before you begin disassembling, you should decide on the type of your refrigerator. The design thermostat and the location of its installation may differ significantly depending on whether you have a single-chamber model or a dual-chamber one, as well as on the year of manufacture of the device. In older models, the mechanics are simpler, in new ones the electronics are hidden deeper.
⚠️ Attention: Carry out any manipulations with the electrical components of the refrigerator only with the power completely disconnected from the network. Failure to comply with this rule may result in electric shock.
Types of thermostats in Indesit technology
Refrigerators Indesit are equipped with two main types of temperature control devices. The first and most common in classic models is mechanical. It is a device with a capillary tube that reacts to temperature changes physically by opening or closing contacts. Such devices usually have an adjustment knob located on the control panel or inside the refrigerator compartment. thermostat. It is a device with a capillary tube that reacts to temperature changes physically by opening or closing contacts. Such devices usually have an adjustment knob located on the control panel or inside the refrigerator compartment.
The second type is an electronic sensor, which is often found in models with a system No Frost and a more modern design. There is no usual rotary knob with numbers; instead, the temperature is set via the display and the signal is read by a small electronic sensor. Finding such an element is more difficult, since it is often hidden inside the case or behind decorative panels.
Differences in design directly affect the search algorithm. If you are looking for where the thermostat is located in a mechanically controlled Indesit refrigerator, focus on the adjustment knob. In the case of an electronic system, you will have to look for the sensor itself, which can be located in the evaporator or on the back wall of the chamber.
- 🔍 Mechanical thermostat - has a long capillary tube and an adjustment handle, often marked with the letters K or TAM.
- 📟 Electronic sensor - a small element on a flexible wire that transmits data to the main board controls.
- ❄️ Defrost thermostat is a separate type of relay, responsible only for the defrost mode in No Frost systems.
Search for thermal relay in single-chamber models
In classic single-chamber refrigerators Indesit the thermostat is easiest to find. Most often, the control unit itself is located outside, on the top panel of the case, or inside the refrigerator compartment in the upper right corner. If the temperature control is carried out using a rotary knob from the outside, then the thermostat is located directly under it.
To access the insides, you need to remove the plastic cover of the knob. It is usually held on by latches or a single screw, which may be hidden under a decorative plug. Carefully prying the panel open with a flat-head screwdriver will reveal the thermostat housing. There will be a capillary tube coming from it Capillary tubegoing deep into the chamber to the evaporator.
In some modifications, the thermal relay can be hidden behind the lampshade. If the adjustment knob is inside the camera, remove the lamp shade (it may be secured with screws or clips). The thermostat housing is often hidden under it. Be careful not to damage the wiring when dismantling.
The capillary tube is a very delicate element. When removing the old relay or installing a new one, do not allow it to be kinked or hit. Even a microscopic crack will lead to refrigerant leakage from the bellows, and the device will stop responding to temperature changes.
to change the temperature.
Location of sensors in two-chamber refrigerators
In two-chamber units the situation is more complicated. Here, the refrigerator thermostat is often hidden behind a decorative panel on the inside back wall or in the side wall. To get to it, you will need to remove the shelves and, possibly, dismantle the plastic cover covering the back of the chamber.
If we are talking about the freezer, then in models with manual defrosting, the thermostat may be located next to the evaporator, access to which can be obtained after removing the back panel inside the freezer. In systems No Frost temperature sensors (there may be several of them) are located directly on the evaporator, which is hidden behind the back wall of the freezer compartment.
To access the evaporator sensors in the No Frost system, you will have to remove the entire back panel of the freezer. This is a labor-intensive process that requires precision. Often the panel is attached with screws, the heads of which can be hidden under plastic plugs or a layer of ice.
⚠️ Attention: When removing the back panel in the freezer, be prepared for the fact that there may be a defrost heating element and a fan there. Do not pull the wires sharply so as not to break the contacts.
It is important to understand that in two-chamber models there may be not one, but two or three relays: one for the refrigerator compartment, one for the freezer and one for defrosting. Therefore, before changing the part, make sure that you have diagnosed exactly the element that has failed.
Difficulties with access to the evaporator
In some Indesit models, access to the evaporator is difficult due to the design of the air ducts. If you see that you cannot simply remove the panel, do not use force. It may be necessary to partially disassemble the interior of the chamber or remove the door for a better view.
Algorithm for dismantling and checking the thermostat
Once you have determined where the thermostat is located in your Indesit refrigerator, you can begin to remove it. The process begins by removing the adjustment handle (if it is mechanical). Then the housing fasteners are unscrewed. The next step is to disconnect the terminals with wires.
To check the operation of a mechanical thermostat, you can use a multimeter in dial mode. At room temperature, the contacts should be closed (unless the relay is forcibly turned off by the design). When placing the sensitive tube in the cold (for example, in the freezer for 10-15 minutes), the circuit should open, which will confirm the serviceability of the device.
Electronic sensors are checked by measuring their resistance. The values must correspond to the technical characteristics of the specific model Indesit. Typically, as the temperature decreases, the resistance of the thermistor changes. If the multimeter shows a break or zero, the sensor is faulty.
☑️ Checking the thermostat
If the check shows a malfunction, the old element must be replaced. When installing a new one, make sure that the capillary tube is laid along the same path as the old one and does not touch sharp edges or hot elements of the compressor.
Table locations depending on the series
To systematize the information, consider the main series of refrigerators Indesit and their characteristic installation locations thermostats. This will help narrow down the search and not sort out unnecessary things.
| Series / Model | Control type | Thermal relay location | Access features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indesit C-series | Mechanical | Inside the chamber, top right | The lamp shade is removed |
| Indesit DS-series | Mechanical | Outside, top panel | The plastic handle cover is removed |
| Indesit EF / NF | Electronic | Behind the back wall of the freezer | Full defrosting is required |
| Indesit Smart | Electronic | B air duct of the fridge compartment | The decorative panel is removed |
This table is for informational purposes only, since the manufacturing plant can make changes to the design even within the same series. Always rely on a visual inspection and diagram of your specific device.
Typical replacement errors and their consequences
Independent repairs often involve the risk of making a mistake. One of the common problems is incorrect installation of the capillary tube. If it lies in the wrong groove or touches the chamber wall, the temperature reading will be incorrect. This will lead to the refrigerator working intermittently: either under-freezing or freezing too much.
Another mistake is using the wrong analogue. Thermostats have different temperature thresholds. Installing a relay with other parameters in Indesit may lead to rapid wear of the compressor or damage to food. Always look for markings that match the original, or its direct cross-codes.
Also, users often forget to check the tightness of the contacts. Poor contact in the terminals will lead to sparking and eventual burnout of the contact group. This will not only damage the new relay, but may also damage the wiring of the refrigerator.
⚠️ Attention: Specifications and location of components may vary depending on the year of manufacture. Always check the visual diagram with the actual structure of your unit before purchasing spare parts.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to temporarily do without a thermal relay if it is broken?
Theoretically, you can close the contacts so that the compressor works constantly, but this is highly not recommended. The refrigerator will not turn off, which will lead to freezing of food, icing of the evaporator and, most importantly, overheating and breakdown of the compressor. This is a temporary measure for a few hours until a repairman or a new part arrives.
How to understand that it is the thermal relay that has broken and not the compressor?
If the compressor is humming, but there is no cold, or vice versa, it is silent, although it is warm in the chamber, you need to ring the relay. If voltage comes to the relay contacts, but there is no voltage at the output (or it does not appear/disappear when the tube temperature changes), then the thermostat is faulty. If the relay is working properly, but the compressor does not start, the problem is in the motor or start relay.
Where to buy an original thermal relay for Indesit?
It is best to look for original spare parts in specialized stores of spare parts for household appliances, indicating the exact model of the refrigerator (it is written on a sticker inside the chamber). High-quality analogues from manufacturers Klixon, Danfoss or TAM are also suitable if their parameters match the original.
Is it necessary to defrost the refrigerator before replacing the thermostat?
To replace a mechanical thermostat in the refrigerator compartment, complete defrosting is usually not required, unless there is a large amount of ice. However, to access the sensors in the freezer (No Frost system), complete defrosting is required, otherwise you will not be able to remove the back panel and risk damaging the plastic elements.