The situation when Indesit refrigerator stops turning off and works non-stop is familiar to many owners of this equipment. The compressor hums continuously, creating increased noise and heating up to high temperatures, which inevitably leads to an increase in energy bills. Most often, users notice the problem by accident, by placing their hand on the side wall or noticing that the unit does not enter the standard rest cycle.
There can be many reasons for this behavior: from a banal violation of the seal of the chamber to failure of electronic control components. Indesit famous for its reliability, but even time-tested models are subject to wear and tear. It is important not to ignore the first symptoms, since prolonged operation of the motor without pauses for cooling can lead to its complete combustion.
In this article we will analyze in detail the main factors affecting the continuous operation of the compressor and determine what steps need to be taken for diagnosis. Understanding the principles of operation refrigeration circuit will help you quickly identify the malfunction and decide whether it can be fixed yourself or whether you need to call a specialist.
Tightness failure and problems with the seal
The most common and easily fixable reason for which refrigerator does not turn off lies in the loose fit of the door. If rubber seal has become deformed, dirty or simply worn out over time, warm air from the room constantly enters the chamber. Sensors detect an increase in temperature and instruct the compressor to work harder to compensate for the heat gain.
You can check the tightness in a simple way: close the door on a sheet of paper sandwiched between the shelf and the body. If the sheet is easily pulled out in different places around the perimeter, it means the seal is broken. It is also worth carefully inspecting the rubber itself for cracks, tears or sticky deposits that interfere with a tight fit.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to stretch the seal by force if it has shrunk. The rubber may burst, and then a complete replacement of the element will be required, which costs much more than simple cleaning.
To restore the tightness, it is often enough to thoroughly wash the seal with warm water and soapy water, removing grease and dirt. If the rubber has lost its elasticity, you can try to soften it with a special conditioner or warm it with a hairdryer (carefully!), but in most cases it will need to be replaced.
Thermostat malfunctions and temperature sensors
The thermostat (temperature regulator) is the “brain” that decides when to turn on and when to turn off the compressor. If thermostat out of order, it can send a constant signal about the need for cooling, even if the desired temperature has already been reached inside the chamber. In models with electronic control, this function is performed by temperature sensor (thermistor).
When a mechanical thermostat breaks down, the following picture is often observed: the refrigerator freezes too much, the food freezes, but the motor does not stop. In electronic models, error codes may appear on the display or, conversely, the display may show normal, although the compressor hums without interruption.
Diagnostics of the thermostat requires disassembling and testing the contacts with a multimeter. If the contacts are stuck in the closed position, the circuit does not open and the compressor runs continuously. Replacing this element is a simple procedure, but it requires precision in selecting an analogue for your model. Indesit.
How to check a thermostat without instruments?
Dip the capillary tube of the thermostat into cold water with ice. If after 2-3 minutes you do not hear a click of the contacts opening, the part is faulty.
Wear of the compressor and problems with the motor
The most serious problem is the physical wear of itself compressor. Over time, the internal mechanisms of the engine wear out, compression is lost, and the engine ceases to gain the required pressure in the system. As a result, it works constantly, trying to achieve the set parameters, but cannot do this.
Signs of compressor wear are:
- 🔊 Loud, unnatural knocking or clanging noise when the motor is running.
- 🔥 Strong heating of the compressor housing (impossible to hold your hand for more than 2-3 seconds).
- 📉 Poor cooling of the chambers even during continuous operation.
It is also worth mentioning the starting relay, which helps the motor start. If the relay is faulty, the compressor may hum, click, but not start, or run intermittently. However, in our case, when the motor runs without stopping, the problem most often lies in the mechanics or electrics of the engine itself.
Replacing a compressor is a complex technical process that requires a vacuum pump, freon and a special tool for soldering copper tubes. It is almost impossible and dangerous to perform this operation on your own without experience and equipment.
Leakage of refrigerant (freon)
If a microcrack has formed in the system, freon begins to gradually evaporate. The refrigerant becomes insufficient for effective heat exchange. The sensors detect that the temperature in the chamber does not drop to normal, and command the compressor to work without interruption, trying to compensate for the lack of refrigerant.
An indirect sign of a leak may be insufficient cooling or its complete absence when the engine is running. Sometimes you can notice partial freezing on the evaporator (“snow coat” only in one corner), while the rest of the part remains warm.
| Symptom | Possible cause | System response |
|---|---|---|
| Compressor is hot, cold no | Complete freon leak | Continuous engine operation |
| Weak cooling, noise | Partial leak | Increasing operating cycle |
| Frost in one corner | Clogging or leakage | Impaired circulation |
To eliminate a leak, you need to find the place of damage (often this happens in the foamed part of the case or in soldering areas), solder it, evacuate the system and fill with a new volume refrigerant. This work is performed only in service centers.
Clogged capillary tube
There is a very narrow section in the freon circulation system - the capillary tube. If oxidation products, debris or moisture remain in the system, cloggingmay form. Freon stops circulating in full, the pressure in the system drops, and the compressor runs idle without turning off.
Signs of a blockage are similar to a leak: the refrigerator works, but does not cool, or cools very little. In this case, the compressor itself may be hot, but the condenser (grid at the back) may be only partially cold or warm. Sometimes you can hear gurgling sounds during operation.
Removing the blockage requires purging the system with high pressure nitrogen and replacing the filter drier. This is a complex procedure that also includes recharging the system with freon. It is impossible to clean the capillary tube on your own without special equipment.
⚠️ Attention: Attempts to “break through” the blockage by strong heating or hitting the tubes can lead to depressurization of the system and complete failure of the refrigerator.
The influence of the fast freezing mode and external factors
Sometimes the reason for continuous operation lies not in a breakdown, but in the settings or operating conditions. If you accidentally activate the mode "Super Freeze" (often indicated by a snowflake or the Max button), the refrigerator will work without stopping until you manually turn it off or the timer passes (usually several hours).
It is also worth considering external factors:
- ☀️ Direct sunlight falling on the body heats it, causing the motor to work more actively.
- 🍲 Hot food placed in the chamber sharply increases the temperature inside.
- 🌡️ High room temperature (above +30°C) can cause critical for some models Indesit.
Check that the rear radiator grille is not pressed against the wall. For normal air circulation, a gap of at least 5-10 cm is required. If heat is not removed, the cooling efficiency drops and the compressor does not receive a signal to stop.
Diagnostics and procedure for breakdown
If you are convinced that the operating modes are set correctly, the seal is intact, and the refrigerator still does not turn off, you need to conduct a more in-depth diagnosis. First of all, disconnect the device from the mains for 15-20 minutes to allow the compressor to cool and reset the electronics error.
After turning on, listen to the operation of the unit. If after an hour or two of work the chambers have not become noticeably colder, and the motor continues to hum, the problem is most likely technical. In modern models with the system No Frost it is also worth checking the evaporator fan - if it does not spin, the cold does not spread, and the temperature sensor does not see changes.
To systematize the check, use the following checklist:
☑️ Refrigerator diagnostics
If an independent check does not produce results, and the refrigerator continues to wear out, it is better to contact a specialist. Long-term operation in this mode can lead to expensive repairs or the need to purchase new equipment.
How long should a refrigerator normally work?
In normal mode, the compressor works about 30-40% of the time, that is, it works for 10-15 minutes and rests for 20-30 minutes. In hot weather or when fully loaded, the operating time may increase, but pauses must be required.
Is it possible to operate the refrigerator if it does not turn off?
For a short time - yes, for example, immediately after defrosting or loading a large amount of food. But constant operation without stopping will lead to overheating of the compressor windings and its combustion, so you cannot leave the equipment in this state.
Why does the new Indesit refrigerator not turn off?
When you first turn on the refrigerator, it may take from 4 to 12 hours to reach the set temperature in the entire volume of the chambers. During this period, continuous operation of the compressor is normal and is not considered a malfunction.
Does the amount of food affect the operating time?
Yes, a full refrigerator holds the cold better, but when initially cooling a large volume of products (especially if they are not at room temperature), the compressor will work longer to freeze the mass.