The situation when Daewoo refrigerator works continuously and does not take a break is a serious signal of a failure in the control system or heat exchange. During normal operation, the compressor must turn on and off periodically, maintaining the set temperature. If the motor hums for days on end, this indicates that the unit cannot reach the target temperature or the control system is faulty.
Ignoring this problem will inevitably lead to accelerated wear of expensive components, such as the compressor, and a significant increase in energy bills. The owner may notice that the food in the main chamber freezes, or, conversely, the temperature remains insufficiently low, despite the constant operation of the equipment. Daewoo refrigerators, like any other complex equipment, require timely diagnostics to prevent major repairs.
In this article we will analyze in detail the main reasons why compressor does not receive a stop signal, and let’s consider methods of independent and professional diagnostics. Understanding the operating principles of thermostat and sensors will help you more accurately describe the problem to the technician or, possibly, fix the problem yourself.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any diagnostic work that involves disassembling the case or checking electrical circuits, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. Working with current is dangerous to life.
Malfunction of the thermostat or temperature sensors
One of the most common reasons why Daewoo refrigerator does not turn off is the failure of the thermostat (in mechanical models) or temperature sensor (on models with electronic control). The main task of this element is to monitor the degree of cooling in the chamber and issue a command to turn off the compressor when the specified values are reached. If the contact inside the thermostat is stuck or the sensor transmits incorrect data, the motor will run indefinitely.
In mechanical models, the thermostat is a device with a bellows filled with refrigerant, which expands or contracts as the temperature changes. Over time, the mechanism may wear out and the contacts will no longer open. Electronic models Daewoo use thermistors, the resistance of which varies depending on the heat. If such sensor"lies" and shows that it is warm in the chamber, the control board will constantly keep the compressor on.
To check a mechanical thermostat, it is often necessary to remove it and ring it with a multimeter, artificially changing the temperature of the sensitive element. In the case of electronics, diagnostics are more complicated and often require connecting to the service mode or replacing the element with a known good one. A malfunction of the evaporator sensor can also lead to the system “thinking” that there is not enough cold.
Problems with the door seal and thermal insulation
If refrigerator cannot reach the desired temperature, it will work non-stop, trying to compensate for the constant flow of warm air from the room. Most often this is due to a leak in the chamber. The rubber seal doors dry out over time, crack or deform, no longer fitting tightly to the body. Even a small gap leads to continuous heat exchange.
In addition, the reason may lie in a loose fit of the door due to skewed hinges or loosening of their fastening. In such cases, cold air “escaps” out, and warm air actively enters. The control system records the increase in temperature and gives the command compressor to work in enhanced mode. Visual inspection of the rubber and checking the tight fit around the entire perimeter is the first step in diagnosis.
It is also worth checking whether a foreign object is preventing the door from closing, for example, the edge of a shelf or food packaging. Sometimes users create the problem themselves by filling the chamber too tightly, which prevents the sash from closing completely. In older models Daewoo the internal thermal insulation could also degrade, but this is less common.
- 🔍 Inspect the rubber contour around the perimeter of the door for cracks, tears and dirt that interfere with sealing.
- 🚪 Check the tightness of the door using a sheet of paper: squeeze it between door and body at different points - it must be removed with force.
- 🔧 Make sure that the door hinges are not skewed and the door itself is not sagging, creating a gap at the bottom or top.
Refrigerant leak and capillary tube blockage
More serious technical problems, causing continuous operation of the refrigerator are associated with impaired circulation freon in the system. If a microcrack has formed in the circuit and the refrigerant gradually evaporates, the pressure becomes insufficient for effective cooling. The compressor tries to compensate for the lack of freon by operating in a continuous cycle, but the temperature in the chambers either does not drop at all or drops very slowly.
A similar picture is observed with clogging capillary tube. Oil oxidation products or moisture can clog the narrow passage, preventing normal refrigerant flow. In this case, the compressor will also work without rest, trying to push freon through the plug. A characteristic sign of such malfunctions is a hot condenser (grid at the back) and a lack of cold or poor cooling in the chambers.
It is impossible to independently eliminate a leak or blockage without special equipment (vacuum pump, pressure gauge station, scales). You need to call a technician who will pressure test the system with nitrogen, find the leak, replace the filter drier and fill Daewoo refrigerator with the required amount of refrigerant according to the instructions.
Why can’t you ignore the operation without shutting down?
Long-term operation of the compressor without rest cycles leads to overheating of the motor windings, jamming of the piston group and other failure of the most expensive unit of the refrigerator.
Failure of the control module and start relay
In modern models Daewoo with the system No Frost And the electronic module is responsible for the operation of the compressor. If the elements responsible for switching burn out on the control board, or the relay “sticks,” the signal to turn off the engine may simply not be received. In this case, the motor receives power constantly, regardless of the temperature sensor readings.
It is also worth paying attention to the starting relay, located next to the compressor (in older models) or integrated into the inverter unit. If the relay contacts become welded together due to a power surge or aging, the circuit will not open. In inverter models Daewoo problems can be created by the inverter converter itself, which incorrectly controls the rotation speed of the compressor shaft.
Diagnostics of the control module requires special knowledge in electronics. Often external signs of a board malfunction can be hidden, and it is not always possible to visually identify a burnt part. If all other components are working properly, but the refrigerator continues to hum, most likely the problem lies in the “brains” of the unit.
Influence of external factors and operating conditions
Sometimes the reason for continuous operation lies not in a breakdown, but in incorrect operating conditions. If Daewoo refrigerator is installed in a very hot room, near heating appliances or in direct sunlight, heat gain may exceed the cooling system capacity. The unit physically does not have time to cool the chambers and goes into non-stop mode.
Loading the chamber with a large amount of warm food also causes the compressor to work longer than usual. However, in this case, it should still eventually turn off when the temperature stabilizes. If you put a pot of hot soup in the refrigerator, it will work for hours, and this is normal for emergency mode, but not for constant use.
It is also important to consider seasonality. In the summer, when the ambient temperature is high, the compressor operating cycles naturally lengthen and pauses shorten. But the complete absence of pauses (24/7 operation) even in the heat is a sign of a malfunction.
⚠️ Attention: Do not install the refrigerator close to the wall. For normal operation of the condenser, a gap of at least 10 cm is required for free air circulation.
Diagnostics and table of symptoms
To accurately determine the cause of the failure, it is necessary to analyze the accompanying symptoms. The behavior of the refrigerator, the temperature in the chambers and the nature of the noise can tell you which particular unit has failed. Below is a table that helps systematize the symptoms of malfunctions.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Required actions |
|---|---|---|
| Compressor is hot, no cold | Leakage freon or blockage | Call a technician to find a leak and refill |
| The chamber is too cold, ice is freezing | The thermostat or sensor is faulty | Replacing the thermostat or sensor |
| The refrigerator hums, but does not cool | The compressor runs "idle" | Checking the compressor valves, it can be replaced |
| A click is heard, then a hum and shuts down | Problem with the starting relay | Replacing the starting relay |
| Works constantly, temperature is normal | Stuck contacts or board error | Diagnostics of the electrical circuit and module |
When conducting diagnostics, it is important to pay attention to. For example, if the refrigerator Daewoo does not turn off, but there is frozen fur in the freezer compartment and water in the refrigerator compartment, this may indicate problems with the defrosting system, which indirectly affects the overall operating efficiency.
☑️ Primary diagnostics of the refrigerator
Frequently asked questions and answers (FAQ)
Can a Daewoo refrigerator work without interruption in the summer?
In hot weather, the operating cycles really lengthen, and the refrigerator can work for 15-20 minutes without interruption. However, it should still turn off at least for a short time. If the compressor hums for days, this is a malfunction.
How much does it cost to replace a thermostat in a Daewoo refrigerator?
The cost consists of the price of the part itself and the work of the technician. On average, replacing a thermostat is cheaper than repairing a compressor or refilling with freon, but the exact price can only be found out after diagnosing a specific model.
Is it dangerous to operate a refrigerator that does not turn off?
Yes, it is dangerous. In addition to the risk of fire due to overheating of the wiring or the compressor itself, you risk completely destroying the motor-compressor, the replacement of which is the most expensive part of the repair.
How to understand that the problem is a freon leak?
Indirect signs: the compressor is hot, the grille at the back is either barely warm or hot only at the very outlet of the compressor, in the chambers are warm or the food thaws, while the motor runs without stopping.