Replacing the relay in an Indesit refrigerator: instructions with photos and advice from experts

The refrigerator Indesit stopped freezing, the compressor does not start or runs jerkily? The reason may lie in a faulty start relay - a small but critical element of the cooling system. Replacing this part will cost 3-5 times less than calling a technician if you act carefully and according to the instructions.

In this article you will find step-by-step algorithm for replacing a relay for popular models Indesit (including series C132, B16, NFR), a list of necessary tools, as well as diagnosis methods —how to distinguish a relay failure from problems with the compressor or thermostat. We will look at the nuances of working with different types of relays (induction and posistor), and also give advice on choosing a spare part so as not to run into a fake.

We warn you right away: working with the electrical components of a refrigerator requires adherence to proper technique security. If you have never held a multimeter in your hands or do not know how to “ring” the contacts, it is better to contact a specialist. For the rest - go ahead!

Signs of a faulty relay in an Indesit refrigerator

The starting relay is responsible for starting the compressor and protecting it from overloads. When it fails, the refrigerator behaves “inappropriately.” Here key symptomsthat will indicate a problem with the relay:

• 🔊 The compressor does not start - you can only hear a click (the relay is activated), but the motor does not hum. After 5-10 seconds, the click is repeated - the relay is trying to start the compressor again.
• ❄️ The refrigerator does not freeze, but the light inside is on. The temperature in the chambers rises, food spoils.
• ⚡ The compressor operates jerkily —it turns on for 1-2 seconds and turns off. The cycle repeats endlessly.
• 🔥 The relay is heating up or smells like burning - touch the body of the part (after turning off the refrigerator!). If it is hot, this is a sure sign of a malfunction.
• 🛠️ Visible damage - cracks on the body, melted contacts or traces of burning inside.

Important: similar symptoms can call faulty thermostat, compressor breakdown or damaged wiring. Before replacing the relay, be sure to perform diagnostics (more on this in the next section).

⚠️ Attention! If the refrigerator Indesit with electronic control (series EVD, TLA) - the malfunction may be related to the control board, and not to the relay. In this case, replacing the relay will not help.

How to check the Indesit refrigerator relay: 3 diagnostic methods

Before running to the store for a new relay, make sure that this is the problem. Here are three reliable verification methods:

1. Visual inspection

Unplug the refrigerator, remove the top cover (if the relay is located on top of the compressor) or the back panel. Inspect the relay for:

• 🔍 Cracks or chips on the plastic case.
• 🔥 Blackened, melted contacts.
• 💨 Soot or burning smell inside.

If at least one of the signs is present - the relay must be replaced.

2. Checking with a multimeter

To do this, you will need a tester (multimeter) in resistance measurement mode (200 Ohm). Follow the algorithm:

1. Remove the relay from the compressor (read how to do this in the next section).
2. Shake the part - if something rattles inside, this is a sign of mechanical damage (for example, a magnetic core has broken off).
3. Ring the contacts:
   • 🔌 Between the terminals S and M (or Start and Main) there should be resistance 15–40 Ohm (depending on the model).
   • 🔌 Between M and L (or Main and Line) — 0 Ohm (short circuit).

If the readings are different, the relay is faulty.

3. Direct replacement with a known working relay

If you have access to another refrigerator Indesit (for example, from neighbors or in a service center), you can temporarily install its relay on your compressor. If the refrigerator starts working, the problem is in your relay. This method is the most reliable, but requires the presence of a donor part.

⚠️ Attention! Refrigerator relays Indesit with a system No Frost (for example, Indesit DF 4180) are often integrated with the control board. Replacing them requires soldering and configuration - it is not recommended to do it yourself.

Preparing for replacement: tools and spare parts

To replace the relay on the refrigerator Indesit, you will need:

• 🔧 Screwdrivers: cross (PH2) and flat (3–5 mm).
• 🔌 Multimeter (for checking contacts).
• 🧲 Pliers (for removing terminals).
• 📸 Smartphone (to take a picture of the connection diagram!).
• 🧹 Brush or vacuum cleaner (to clean the compressor from dust).
• 🛡️ Dielectric gloves (for safety).

Where to buy a relay for Indesit:

• 🛒 Official service centers - guarantee of the original part, but the price is higher.
• 🌍 Online stores (for example, 220-Volt, All-ZIP) - cheaper, but there is a risk of running into a fake.
• 🏬 Shops spare parts for household appliances (ask for the relay by the code indicated on the body of the old part).

How to choose the right relay:

1. Remove the old relay and look at the markings on the body (for example, R134a, DANFOSS 103N0240, LRE20).
2. If there is no marking, take a photo of the part and show it to the seller.
3. For models with inverter compressor (for example, Indesit EVD 240) only electronic relays are suitable!

Step-by-step instructions: how to remove and install the relay on Indesit

The process of replacing the relay is the same for most models Indesit with mechanical control. Let's look at an example Indesit C132G:

Step 1: Disconnection and disassembly

1. Unplug the refrigerator from the socket. It is not enough to turn off the button!

2. Move the refrigerator away from the wall to gain access to the back panel.

3. Remove the compressor protective cover (usually attached to 2-3 self-tapping screws).

Step 2: Removing the old relay

1. Take a photo of how the wires are connected to the relay and compressor. This will help avoid mixing up the contacts during reassembly.

2. Carefully remove the terminals from the relay contacts (you can pry them off with a flat screwdriver). Do not pull the wires!

3. Unscrew the screws securing the relay to the compressor (usually 1-2 screws).

4. Remove the relay. If it is “stuck”, do not apply force - spray WD-40 and wait 5 minutes.

What to do if the relay cannot be removed?

If the relay is rusted to the compressor, do not try to tear it off - this can damage the tubes. Use penetrating lubricant (WD-40, LIQUI MOLY) and gently rock the part left and right. As a last resort, contact service.

Step 3: Installing a new relay

1. Test the new relay with a multimeter (as described above).

2. Install the relay on the compressor and secure with screws. Do not overtighten! Enough tight fit.

3. Connect the terminals according to your photo. Typically:

• L (or Line) - phase (brown/black wire),
• M (or Main) - compressor winding (blue/white wire),
• S (or Start) - starting winding (red/orange wire).

4. Make sure that all contacts are tightly seated on the terminals.

Step 4: Checking operation

1. Replace the compressor protective cover.

2. Connect the refrigerator to the network.

3. After 5–10 minutes, check:

• 🔊 Whether the compressor has started (there should be a smooth hum).
• ❄️ Whether the chambers have begun to cool.
• ⚡ Are there any sparks or a burning smell.

If the refrigerator is working, congratulations! If not, read the “Typical Errors” section.

Typical mistakes when replacing a relay and how to avoid them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes that lead to repeated failure. Here's what you cannot do when replacing a relay:

• ❌ Use a relay from another model. For example, a relay from Atlant is not suitable for Indesit, even if it looks similar. This will lead to overheating of the compressor.
• ❌ Connect the wires at random. A reversed phase and zero can burn the compressor winding.
• ❌ Tighten the relay screws too tightly. This deforms the housing and leads to short circuiting of the contacts.
• ❌ Ignore cleaning the contacts. Oxidation or dirt on the terminals impairs contact and causes sparking.
• ❌ Turn on the refrigerator immediately after replacing. Give the compressor 10-15 minutes to “rest”, especially if it has overheated.

What to do if the refrigerator does not work after replacing the relay:

1. Check whether the wires are connected correctly (check the photo).
2. Make sure that the new relay is working properly (check with a multimeter).
3. Check the voltage in the socket - it should be 220–230 V.
4. If the compressor hums, but does not start, its winding may have burned out (need diagnostics by a technician).

⚠️ Attention! If, after replacing the relay, the refrigerator works for 1-2 days and then breaks down again, the problem may be in voltage surges. Install a voltage stabilizer or relay!

How much does it cost to replace a relay in the service vs. yourself

The price of replacing a relay in a refrigerator Indesit depends on the model and region. Here are the approximate prices for 2026:

The benefits of self-repair are obvious, but consider the risks:

• 🔧 If you make a mistake when connecting, you can burn the compressor (replacing it will cost 8000–15000 ₽).
• ⏳ Diagnosis and replacement will take 1-2 hours (the service will do it in 30-40 minutes).
• ⚖️ The service provides a guarantee for work (usually 3-6 months), you are not.

When you should contact the service:

• 🛠️ If the refrigerator is under warranty (self-repair will void it).
• ⚡ If the problem is not only in the relay (for example, the compressor or circuit board burned out).
• 🏠 If you do not have tools or experience working with electricity.

Prevention: how to extend the life of the Indesit refrigerator relay

The relay fails due to overheating, power surges or mechanical wear. To avoid breakdown:

• 🔌 Use a voltage stabilizer. Relays Indesit are sensitive to changes in the network. Even small surges (for example, up to 250 V) reduce the service life of the part.
• 🧹 Regularly clean the compressor of dust. dust on the tubes impairs heat transfer, causing the relay to overheat. It is enough to vacuum the back wall of the refrigerator once every 6 months.
• ❄️ Do not overload the refrigerator. productsIf the compressor runs without stopping, the relay wears out faster.
• 🔄 Defrost the refrigerator at the first sign of a malfunction.. Sometimes the relay “sticks” due to icing of the evaporator.
• 🛡️ Install surge protection. The voltage relay (ZUBR, RESANTA) will cost 2000–3000 ₽. but will save the refrigerator from burning out in the event of a network failure.

Relay service life in the refrigerator Indesit:

• 🕒 Induction relays (old models): 5–7 years.
• ⏳ Posistor relays (modern models): 7–10 years.
• ⚡ Electronic relays (in models with No Frost): 10+ years (but more difficult to replace).

If your refrigerator Indesit was manufactured before 2010, there is a high probability that it contains an inductive relay RTK. parts most often fail due to wear of mechanical contacts. Replacing with a posistor relay (for example LRE20) can extend the life of the refrigerator for another 5-7 years.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about replacing the relay in Indesit

Is it possible to replace an inductive relay with a posistor relay?

Yes, but only if the parameters are the same. For example, for Indesit C132G a posistor relay is suitable LRE20 or DANFOSS 103N0240. The main thing is:

• The compressor winding resistance corresponded to the relay characteristics.
• The relay housing matched the mountings.
• The relay power was not lower than the original one (indicated on the housing).

Before replacing, consult with a technician or seller spare parts.

How to understand that the compressor has burned out and not the relay?

If the compressor has burned out, it:

• Does not make any sounds (not even clicks).
• Has winding resistance 0 Ohm (short circuit) or ∞ (break) when testing with a multimeter.
• Heats to high temperatures (you can get burned).

The relay in this case will click, but the compressor will not start. For accurate diagnostics, you need to check with a multimeter.

What to do if the new relay burns out immediately?

Probable reasons:

• 🔌 Short short circuit in the compressor - ring its windings.
• ⚡ Power surge —check the network with a multimeter.
• 🔌 Wrong connection of wires —check the diagram.
• 🛠️ Defective relay —return the part to the seller.

If the compressor is working and the relay burns out again, install voltage stabilizer.

Where is the relay in the Indesit refrigerator with No Frost?

In models with No Frost (for example, Indesit DF 4180) the relay can be:

• 🔧 Built into control board (behind the rear panel).
• 🔌 It is taken out separately, but connected through a connector (and not directly to the compressor).

Independent replacement in such cases is not recommended - soldering and adjustment of the board is required.

Is it possible to repair the relay instead of replacing it?

Theoretically, yes, but:

• 🔧 Induction relays you can take it apart, clean the contacts and put it back together. However, this is a temporary solution - after 1-2 months the problem will return.
• ⚡ Posistor relays are not repaired - they are only replaced.
• 🛠️ Needed for repairs special tools (soldering iron, solder) and experience.

In 90% of cases it is easier and more reliable to buy a new relay (it is inexpensive).