The situation when the refrigerator Atlant continues to hum, the light inside is on, but the food begins to spoil due to lack of cold, is one of the most common and alarming for owners of household appliances. The external serviceability of the unit, expressed in the operation of the electric motor, is often confusing, creating the illusion that the breakdown is not serious and will go away on its own. However, in reality, this indicates a violation in one of the cooling cycles, which requires immediate intervention.
The absence of freezing when the compressor is running indicates that refrigerant circulation it is either completely stopped or occurs with critical violations. Unlike cases when the equipment simply does not turn on, here the mechanical or electrical part of the motor may be intact, but the thermodynamic process has not started. Understanding the nature of this malfunction will help you avoid unnecessary expenses on calling a technician to diagnose basic things or, conversely, prevent damage to a large volume of products.
In this article we will look in detail at why your Atlant stopped freezing, which components fail most often and whether you can fix the problem yourself. We will touch on the issues of thermostat operation, freon leaks and problems with electronics so that you can accurately determine the nature of the breakdown. It is critically important not to ignore the first signs of poor cooling, since operating the compressor without removing heat can lead to its complete combustion.
Problems with thermostat and temperature sensors
One of the first reasons why refrigerator compartment stops cooling is the failure of the thermostat. This small device is responsible for closing and opening the compressor power circuit depending on the temperature inside the chambers. If the thermostat contacts have oxidized or the membrane has lost sensitivity, the compressor may simply not receive a start signal, or, conversely, work endlessly without achieving the required parameters.
In modern models Atlant with a system No Frost or electronic control instead The mechanical regulator uses air sensors. Their malfunction results in the control module receiving incorrect data about the climate inside the cabinet. As a result, the operating algorithm gets confused and the cold is not produced in the required volume. Diagnostics of such elements requires special equipment, since it is impossible to visually determine a breakdown of the circuit.
Often users confuse a breakdown of the thermostat with an incorrect setting. Before disassembling the equipment, it is worth checking whether the temperature setting has gone wrong. Sometimes an accidental touch of the buttons or a power surge can change the settings to minimum cooling.
To check the mechanical thermostat, you can temporarily close its contacts. If after this procedure the compressor starts and starts to freeze, then the problem is in the regulator. However, it is worth remembering that this is only a temporary diagnostic measure, and operating the refrigerator without a working thermostat is unacceptable.
Refrigerant leakage: symptoms and consequences
The most likely reason that Atlant hums but does not freeze is trivial freon leak. The refrigerant circulates in a closed circuit, and in good condition its quantity does not change for years. However, corrosion processes, mechanical damage or manufacturing defects in soldering can compromise the tightness of the system. When there is little gas, the compressor continues to run “idle”, trying to pump what is not enough for heat exchange.
It is rarely possible to detect a leak visually, since freon is a colorless and odorless gas. However, there are indirect signs that indicate this problem. A careful inspection of the internal structure and external elements can indicate where exactly the depressurization has occurred.
- ⚡ The compressor runs continuously or with very short breaks, trying to gain temperature.
- ⚡ The condenser grille at the back of the refrigerator remains only partially cold or warm.
- ⚡ In the freezer compartment a “fur coat” is formed only at the entrance or in one corner, and the rest of the space is warm.
- ⚡ The appearance of swelling on the walls of the refrigerator (in the place of the foamed evaporator) or oily spots under the unit.
⚠️ Attention: Self-filling the refrigerator with freon is impossible without a vacuum pump and scales. Trying to simply “add gas” through the Schrader valve without eliminating the cause of the leak and evacuating the system will lead to repeated failure in a few days or weeks.
Leaks often occur in the foamed part of the housing where built-in evaporatoris located. Metal corrosion under the influence of moisture and temperature changes eats through the tubes, and the gas escapes. In such cases, repairs require opening the thermal insulation or installing an external evaporator (“crying” or hanging), which is a complex technical procedure.
Faults of the compressor and start relay
The heart of any refrigerator Atlant is a compressor. If it hums but does not start, or starts for a few seconds and immediately stalls with a characteristic click, the problem may lie in the start-up relay. This small element is responsible for supplying a starting pulse to the motor winding. If it burns out or the contacts stick, the motor cannot switch from standby mode to operating mode.
A more serious situation is turn-to-turn short circuit in the windings of the compressor itself or its wedge (jamming of the piston group). In this case, the engine tries to start, hums very loudly and gets very hot, but the shaft does not turn. Long-term operation in this mode leads to thermal burnout of the windings and complete failure of the unit.
☑️ Compressor diagnostics
To diagnose the relay, you need to remove it from the compressor and check the integrity of the contacts and coil. Sometimes it is enough to simply clean the contacts, but most often it is necessary to replace the element with a new one, similar in markings. If the problem is in the motor itself, then repair is usually impractical - a complete replacement of the compressor unit is required.
Clogged capillary tube
There is a bottleneck in the freon circulation system - the capillary tube. Its diameter is so small that even a microscopic particle of debris, oxide or moisture can completely block the flow of refrigerant. As a result, the pressure in the system increases, the compressor operates with overload, but the cold does not enter the evaporator.
The blockage is often accompanied by characteristic symptoms: the compressor may work longer than usual, and then turn off due to thermal protection. In this case, the condenser (grid at the back) can be hot only at the beginning of the circuit, and then cold. This indicates that hot gas cannot pass through the bottleneck.
Removing the blockage requires a professional flushing of the system with high pressure nitrogen. At home, it is almost impossible to “break through” a blockage, and attempts to do this using homemade methods can lead to rupture of the tubes or damage to the compressor.
Why does a blockage occur?
Clogging of the capillary tube most often occurs due to poor-quality previous Repair, when moisture or dirt has entered the system. The reason may also be the destruction of the insulation of the compressor windings, the products of which circulate along with oil and freon, gradually accumulating in a narrow channel.
Failure in the No Frost system
In models Atlant with the system No Frost (or “crying” evaporator in two-chamber models), a common reason for the lack of cold is the freezing of ice on the evaporator, which is hidden behind the rear wall. If the defrosting system (heating element, timer, defrost sensor) fails, the ice does not melt, builds up and blocks the channels for cold air circulation. The fan moves the air, but it does not pass through the ice plug to the products.
Visually this can manifest itself as follows: there is cold (or weak) in the freezer, and warmth in the refrigerator compartment. Or the noise of the fan is heard, but the cold is not felt. Sometimes ice can jam the door and it will no longer close tightly, making the problem worse.
To test this hypothesis, there is a simple method of completely defrosting. It is necessary to turn off the refrigerator from the network, open the doors and leave it for at least 24 hours (preferably for a day). During this time, all hidden ice will melt and water will flow into the drainage. If, after switching on, cold appears and lasts for 5-7 days, and then disappears again, the problem is guaranteed to be in the defrost system.
| System element | Function | Failure symptom |
|---|---|---|
| Defrost heating element | Heating and melting of ice on the evaporator | Increasing "fur coat", lack of cold |
| Defrost sensor | Evaporator temperature control | The heating element does not turn on or heats up too much long |
| Timer/Module | Switching “Cold” / “Defrost” modes | The refrigerator does not switch to cooling mode |
| Fan | Circulation air | Noise, local freezing at the rear wall |
When you need to call a technician
Despite the desire to save money, there are situations when DIY repairs are impossible or dangerous. If diagnostics indicate a freon leak, compressor replacement or complex blockage, you cannot do without a specialized tool. The technician will bring with him a filling station, a vacuum pump and a soldering kit.
It is also worth contacting professionals if the refrigerator is under warranty. Opening the seals on your own or violating the integrity of the circuit automatically voids the manufacturer's warranty. In the case of Atlant the service network is well developed, and official repairs can be more profitable than buying new spare parts and tools.
Do not forget that high-quality diagnostics are 80% of successful repairs. A good specialist will first find the cause and then suggest ways to eliminate it, explaining the cost of work and spare parts. Refuse the services of specialists who offer to “fill with gas” without looking for leaks - this is a waste of money.
Prevention and operating rules
In order Atlant refrigerator to serve for a long time and not let you down, it is important to follow simple operating rules. Do not place hot foods inside, make sure the doors are closed tightly and the seals are intact. Regular defrosting (even for the No Frost system once a year) will help avoid hidden accumulation of ice.
It is also important to ensure good ventilation of the back wall. If the refrigerator is located close to the wall or in a niche, the condenser does not have time to release heat, which leads to overload of the compressor and a reduction in its service life. Maintaining a distance of 5-10 cm from the walls is a necessary condition for stable operation.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use sharp objects to chip ice in the freezer. One awkward movement can puncture the evaporator, and a freon leak will become a fait accompli, requiring expensive repairs.
Timely replacement of worn seals and cleaning the drainage hole will also extend the life of the unit. If you notice that the refrigerator has started to work louder or longer, do not wait for a complete stop - check its condition in advance.
Why does the refrigerator freeze only after complete defrosting?
This is a classic sign of a malfunction of the defrost system in No Frost models. Ice builds up on the evaporator, blocking the air flow. After defrosting, the ice melts, the channels are freed, and the cold begins to circulate again. The heating element, sensor or timer needs to be replaced.
Is it possible to use a refrigerator if it does not freeze, but works?
For a short time - yes, so that the food does not disappear. But prolonged operation in this mode is harmful to the compressor, especially if the cause is a freon leak or a blockage. The motor operates without cooling the windings (which is partially provided by freon in some designs) and under high load, which leads to its combustion.
How much does it cost to repair if Atlas stops freezing?
The cost depends on the breakdown. Replacing a thermostat or relay is inexpensive. Filling with freon while searching for leaks or replacing the compressor are expensive procedures, comparable to 30-50% of the cost of a new refrigerator. Only the technician will tell you the exact price after diagnostics.
How to quickly defrost an Atlant refrigerator?
Do not use a hairdryer or hot water to speed up the process - this can damage the plastic and seals. The best way is to unplug it, open the doors and place a container of warm (not boiling water) water inside. Change the water as it cools. Complete defrosting takes from 10 to 24 hours.