The situation when Indesit refrigerator stops cooling food in the main chamber, but continues to freeze in the freezer compartment, is one of the most common complaints from owners of this equipment. Users often notice that milk turns sour faster than usual, and vegetables wither, although the compressor, judging by the sounds of operation, continues to function. This condition can develop gradually or occur suddenly, requiring immediate intervention.
The main difficulty in diagnosis is that visually the unit may appear to be in good working order. The light is on, the fan is noisy, but temperature conditions it is broken. In No Frost and drip-type systems, the reasons may be radically different, but the common symptom is an imbalance of temperatures between the two storage zones.
Before calling a technician, it is worth conducting an initial diagnosis yourself. Often the problem lies in small things that can be fixed without calling a specialist, but ignoring serious problems can lead to complete breakdown of the compressor. In this article we will analyze in detail the mechanics of the process and point out the critical temperature of the evaporator, below which defrosting begins, which is minus 18 degrees Celsius. Attention: If you hear that the compressor is running constantly without stopping, and there is no cold in the main chamber, immediately disconnect the device from the network. Long-term idle operation of the motor can lead to overheating and costly repairs. the critical temperature of the evaporator, below which defrost begins, which is minus 18 degrees Celsius.
⚠️ Attention: If you hear that the compressor is constantly running without stopping, and there is no cold in the main chamber, immediately unplug the device. Leaving the engine idle for a long time can lead to overheating and costly repairs.
The operating principle of Indesit two-chamber refrigerators
To understand why it is warm, you need to figure out where the cold comes from. In most modern Indesit models, the cold is generated exclusively in the freezer compartment. Then special fans move the cooled air through the air ducts into the main compartment. refrigerator compartment warm, you need to figure out where the cold comes from there. In most modern Indesit models, the cold is generated exclusively in the freezer compartment. Special fans then move the cooled air through the ducts into the main compartment.
If this cycle is broken, the air circulationis also broken. In models with No Frost a system of dampers and sensors is responsible for the distribution of flows. In simpler models with a drip system, the cold simply flows naturally or through channels between the chambers. Any obstacle to the air flow will lead to the fact that there will be “Arctic” in the freezer, and “Tropics” below.
It is important to consider that thermostat or the electronic control module reads the temperature in exactly one of the zones (most often in the freezer or on the evaporator). If the sensor “sees” that the freezer is warm, it commands the compressor to work. As a result, the freezer freezes, and in the main chamber the temperature never drops to normal.
Refrigerant leakage: the most common reason
One of the most likely reasons why Indesit refrigerator it does not freeze well at the top is a banal freon leak. The refrigerant circulates in a closed circuit, and if a microcrack forms in the tubes, the gas escapes. The pressure in the system drops and the refrigerant stops boiling in the right place in the circuit.
If freon leaks, the cooling process occurs unevenly. First, the cold ceases to reach the upper shelves, then the temperature rises in the entire chamber. Freezer at this moment it may still maintain a low temperature due to residual cold or the compressor operating in increased mode, but the food there will also begin to deteriorate.
How to determine a leak without pressure gauges? Pay attention to the following signs:
- 🧊 The compressor works continuously, without turning off to rest, trying to reach the set parameters.
- 🔥 The side walls of the housing (condenser) remain cold or warm only partially, instead of being uniformly hot.
- 💨 No characteristic gurgling or hissing in the tubes during operation of the unit.
It is impossible to eliminate the leak on your own. It is necessary to find the place of damage, seal and refill the system with a new one refrigerant. This is a job for a certified technician with professional equipment.
Malfunction of the defrost system (for No Frost models)
In refrigerators with a system No Frost on the evaporator, which is hidden behind the back wall of the freezer, frost is constantly growing. It turns on periodically Defrost heating element, which melts this ice, and the water flows into the drainage. If any element of this circuit breaks, the evaporator becomes overgrown with a “fur coat”.
An ice shell blocks the operation of the fan. As a result, cold air physically cannot get into refrigerator compartment. The freezer continues to freeze, since the evaporator is located there, but the ventilation is completely disrupted. This is a classic situation: “the freezer is working, the refrigerator is not.”
The defrost circuit includes three main elements that need to be checked:
- ❄️ defrost heating element —a heating element that could have burned out.
- ⏲️ Defrost timer or electronic control module - the "brain" that does not give a command to turn on the heating.
- 🌡️ Defrost sensor (thermostat) - a device that should record the temperature of the evaporator and close the circuit.
Diagnostics often require complete defrosting of the unit within 24 hours. If, after defrosting, the refrigerator worked normally for 6-12 hours, and then stopped cooling again, the problem is guaranteed to be in the defrosting system.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to chip the ice on the back wall with a knife or sharp objects. You can damage the evaporator, and then a freon leak will become inevitable. Use only a hairdryer or natural defrosting.
Problems with the temperature control damper
In two-chamber models, especially with the system No Frost, the flow of cold air from the freezer to the main compartment is regulated by a special damper. It opens and closes at the command of the thermostat or electronic control unit. If the damper is stuck in the closed position, the cold simply does not flow.
The damper mechanism may become stuck due to icing or mechanical damage to the drive. In some Indesit models, the damper drive is made of plastic, which becomes brittle over time and breaks. As a result, the damper remains in the “closed” position, and the temperature in the chamber rises.
You can check the operation of the damper by listening to the characteristic click when you turn on the device or change the mode. It is also worth inspecting the air duct for the presence of foreign objects - for example, a piece of packaging or ice that could block the passage.
Malfunction of the thermostat or temperature sensor
If thermostat (in mechanical models) or the temperature sensor (in electronic) fails, it may transmit incorrect readings to the control module. For example, the sensor “reports” that the chamber is already quite cold, although in fact it is warm there. In this case, the compressor does not turn on or turns off too early.
In electronically controlled models, the air sensor located directly in refrigeration chamberoften fails. Its readings directly affect the operation of the fan and damper. If it “lies”, the system will not supply cold.
Diagnostics of the sensors is carried out using a multimeter. Their resistance is measured at different temperatures. If the resistance does not change or shows a break, the part must be replaced.
☑️ Do-it-yourself primary diagnostics
Comparison table of faults
For ease of diagnosis, we have collected the main symptoms and probable causes in a table. This will help you quickly navigate the nature of the breakdown.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Difficulty of repair |
|---|---|---|
| The compressor hums, but does not start, clicks | The starting relay or the compressor itself is faulty | Medium |
| The refrigerator runs constantly without turning off | Freon leakage or clogged capillary tube | High (requires a specialist) |
| After defrosting it works for a day, then stops | Fault of the heating element, timer or defrost sensor | Average |
| The chamber is warm, but the compressor is silent | Thermostat or temperature sensor is burned out | Low |
| The sound of the fan is heard, but there is no cold | The damper is closed or the air duct is clogged with ice | Low/Medium |
What to do: step-by-step action plan
If you encounter the problem described, do not panic. The algorithm of actions depends on your skills and the availability of tools. The first thing to do is to free the food from spoilage. Transfer them to another cold place or use refrigerants.
Next, completely defrost the refrigerator. Unplug it, open the doors and leave it for at least 24 hours. This is a critical step that will eliminate the problem of “snow coat” on the evaporator. If after turning on the refrigerator worked normally, the problem was in the defrosting system.
If defrosting did not help, you need to check:
- 🔌 The integrity of the door seal (whether warm air is getting in).
- 🌡️ Thermostat settings (whether the they).
- 👂 The operation of the compressor (does it heat up, does it stutter).
In the case when simple methods do not help, most likely you will need to replace parts or refill with freon. Here you cannot do without calling a specialist.
⚠️ Attention: Repair prices may vary depending on the region and the cost of spare parts. Before starting work, be sure to agree on the final cost with the technician, since the exact price can only be given after on-site diagnostics.
Is it possible to temporarily use a refrigerator with a malfunction?
It is possible, but only if you monitor the temperature of the food. If the chamber is above +6 degrees, meat and dairy products will begin to spoil. You can temporarily lower the temperature if there is an adjustment, but this will lead to increased energy consumption.
Prevention and care of Indesit equipment
To avoid situations when the freezer compartment works, and the refrigerator is warm, it is necessary to regularly service technique. Even modern systems No Frost require attention. Once every six months, it is recommended to check the cleanliness of the condenser at the back of the refrigerator.
Monitor the condition of the rubber seals. If they become dry or dirty, warm, moist air will constantly flow into the chamber. This leads to increased ice formation and overload of the defrost system. Wipe the seal with a soft cloth.
Also, do not clog the air ducts with food. Cold air should circulate freely. If you notice that the food at the back wall has begun to freeze, and the food at the door has begun to get warm, it means that the circulation is impaired and you need to redistribute the contents of the shelves.
Why after defrosting, the refrigerator started working, and a week later it stopped again?
This is a classic sign of a malfunction of the defrosting system. Ice has again accumulated on the evaporator and is blocking the fan. You need to check the heating element, timer or defrost sensor. Most likely, one of these elements requires replacement.
Is it possible to replace the thermostat yourself?
In mechanical models - yes, this is a relatively simple procedure that requires a minimum of tools. In electronic models with temperature sensors, it is more difficult: you need to accurately select an analogue in terms of resistance, otherwise the operating modes will go wrong.
How long should the refrigerator cool down after defrosting?
Usually setting the operating temperature takes from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the model and the ambient temperature in the room. If the temperature has not dropped within 8-10 hours, the problem is not defrosting, but a technical malfunction.
Is it dangerous to use a refrigerator with a freon leak?
For humans, modern refrigerants (isobutane, freon R600a) are not toxic in small quantities, but they are flammable. The main danger is operating the compressor without cooling, which can lead to a fire or motor failure. You cannot operate such a unit.