The situation when you open the door of your favorite refrigerator Indesitand there is room temperature inside always takes you by surprise. The products begin to deteriorate, and panic arises: call a specialist or try to figure it out yourself? Statistics from service centers show that more than 60% of breakdowns associated with lack of cold can be diagnosed at an early stage without complex equipment. However, it is important to understand that diagnosis requires care and consistency of action.
Before sounding the alarm, it is worth excluding trivial causes. You may have just placed a large amount of warm food in the chamber, or perhaps the door was not closed tightly by guests during a party. In such cases, the unit simply needs time to restore temperature conditions. If the equipment was working normally and then stopped cooling, it is necessary to conduct a deeper check of the systems.
In this article we will look in detail at why Indesit refrigerator it stopped freezing, how to localize the problem and whether it is even worth taking on the repair yourself. We will look at mechanical and electrical faults, as well as the nuances of the No Frost and drip defrosting systems. Understanding the principles of operation will help you save time and money by making the right decision on further actions.
⚠️ Attention: If you hear extraneous sounds similar to the hissing of gas, or smell a strong chemical odor, immediately unplug the device and ensure the room is ventilated. This may indicate a refrigerant leak.
Primary diagnostics: checking simple causes
Often equipment owners Indesit face imaginary breakdowns. Before disassembling the unit or looking for repairman contacts, perform a basic check. Make sure the power cord is intact and the plug is firmly seated in the outlet. Sometimes the problem lies in power surges that have triggered the compressor's internal protection. Let the appliance stand unplugged for about 30 minutes, and then try to start it again.
Pay attention to the location of the refrigerator. If it stands close to a wall or furniture, the air circulation around condenseris disrupted. This leads to overheating and cooling stops. Also check if anything is blocking the ventilation holes inside the camera. In models with the system No Frost clogging of air supply channels is a common cause of local lack of cold.
Check the thermostat settings. An accidental electronic failure or careless movement could change the operating mode. Mechanical adjusters tend to wear out the knob, causing the actual position to differ from the set position. Make sure that the regulator is not at minimum or in mode “0” (off). In electronic models, the settings could be reset due to a short-term blackout.
Malfunctions of the thermostat and temperature sensors
One of the most common reasons why Indesit refrigerator the cold does not pick up is the failure of the thermostat or air sensor. This element is responsible for turning the compressor on and off depending on the temperature inside the chambers. If the thermostat is “stuck” in the open state, the motor simply will not receive a signal to start.
In models with electronic control (Indesit NBA, CIBA and other series), sensors (thermistors) are responsible for temperature control. Over time, their resistance changes and they begin to transmit incorrect data to the control module. For example, a sensor may “report” that the freezer is -20°C, although in reality it is 0°C. In this case, the compressor will not turn on.
- 🔍 Symptoms: The compressor is silent, the light inside is on, but there is no cold; or the motor runs without stopping, but does not cool.
- 🔧 Diagnostics: For a mechanical thermostat, the contacts can be temporarily closed (checking requires the skills of an electrician). The sensors require a multimeter to measure resistance at different temperatures.
- ❄️ Nuance: In two-chamber models, the evaporator sensor often fails, which blocks the operation of the entire system.
Replacing the thermostat in mechanical models is a relatively simple procedure. It is necessary to remove the casing, disconnect the bellows tube (sensing element) and replace the unit itself. It is important to install a similar part with the same marking values. Electronic models will require replacement of the sensor and, possibly, calibration through the service menu.
⚠️ Attention: When replacing the thermostat, make sure that the capillary tube is not kinked or damaged. Any microcrack will lead to freon leakage and failure of the entire system.
How to check the serviceability of a thermostat without instruments?
Dip the sensitive tube of the thermostat into cold water with ice. If a click is not heard after 2-3 minutes, the element is faulty. However, this method gives only an approximate result and does not guarantee the accuracy of the settings.
Problems with the compressor and start relay
The heart of any refrigerator is compressor. If it does not start, no cold will be produced. Often the problem lies not in the motor itself, but in the start-up relay. This small device is responsible for starting the engine and protecting it from overloads. In older models Indesit relays often fail due to contact wear or thermocouple burnout.
If, when you turn on, you hear a quiet click, a hum that ends abruptly, and a click again, this is a classic sign of a faulty start relay or a jammed compressor. Attempts to turn it on multiple times in this state can completely kill the motor. It is necessary to let the unit cool down and carry out diagnostics.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| The motor hums, but does not start | The starting relay or wedge is faulty compressor | Replacing the relay, checking the windings |
| Complete silence, the lamp is on | Thermostat burnt out or open circuit | Checking the thermostat and wiring |
| The motor is running constantly | Freon leak or clogged capillary | Call a technician to find a leak |
| Loud knocking sound when starting | The compressor is broken | Replacement required compressor |
Replacing the start relay is a task that can be completed by a person with minimal skills. You need to remove the old relay, remember the connection diagram (or take a photo) and install a new one that strictly corresponds to the compressor model (for example Aspera, Danfoss). If the problem is in the compressor itself (turn-to-turn short circuit, mechanical wear), then it is almost impossible to replace it yourself without a special tool for soldering and vacuuming.
Freon leakage and clogged capillary system
If the compressor works “without getting tired”, hums continuously, but there is no cold or it is very weak, most likely there is a problem in the refrigerant circulation system. In refrigerators Indesit there is often a leak of freon through the evaporator sealed in the wall of the case, or through the soldering points of the defrost circuit.
Another common problem is clogging of the capillary tube. Oil and freon circulate in the system. Over time, paraffin deposits form in the oil, which clog the thinnest channel of the capillary. Freon cannot circulate, the pressure drops and cooling stops. This often happens after a long period of equipment downtime.
- 📉 Signs of a leak: Bloating of the side walls of the refrigerator (place where the circuit is laid), lack of cold when the engine is running, sometimes oily spots under the unit.
- 🔨 Signs of a blockage: Cooling stops abruptly, often after defrosting or a power surge. The condenser (grid at the back) may only be partially warm.
- 🛠️ Solution: It is impossible to fix a leak or break through a blockage on your own without a vacuum pump, pressure gauges and freon supplies. A specialist call is required.
Attempts to “blow out” the system or add freon “by eye” at home usually lead to final breakdown of the compressor. Freon in modern refrigerators is a mixture of gases, and a violation of the proportions or the presence of moisture in the system is critical. If you have diagnosed a leak or blockage, further repairs should be performed by a professional.
⚠️ Attention: Freon used in modern refrigerators is odorless, but is heavier than air. In high concentrations it displaces oxygen. Do not solder the circuit in an unventilated area without protection.
Failures in the No Frost system and control module
Owners of refrigerators Indesit with the system No Frost may encounter a specific problem: the fan is working, air is blowing, but not chilled. This often indicates a faulty defrost system. If the defrost heating element, timer or defrost sensor fails, the evaporator becomes covered with a “coat” of ice. The fan cannot blow air through the ice shell, and the cold stops entering the chamber.
The electronic control module is the “brain” of the refrigerator. Voltage surges in the network can damage its elements. In this case, the refrigerator may behave inappropriately: turn on randomly, display errors on the display (for example, flashing indicators), or completely ignore commands. In models with a display, error codes often light up, which help in diagnosis.
☑️ Diagnostics of the No Frost system
To defrost the “snow coat” inside the unit (if the fan is jammed with ice), the refrigerator must be completely defrosted for at least 24 hours with the doors open. Often, after such a procedure, the equipment begins to work normally, but if the defect in the sensor or heating element is not eliminated, the problem will recur in 1-2 weeks.
When you need to call a technician: error codes and complex cases
Modern refrigerators Indesit are equipped with a self-diagnosis system. If the appliance stops freezing, pay attention to the indicators. Flashing of the Alarm light or specific combinations of flashing temperature indicators may indicate a specific malfunction. For example, a series of flashes may indicate a broken sensor or a problem with the module.
There are a number of situations when self-repair is not only useless, but also dangerous. If you need to replace the compressor, evacuate the system, or search for micro-leaks in the foamed part of the housing, you cannot do without professional equipment. Also, do not go inside if you are not confident in your knowledge of electrical engineering.
- 📞 Call a technician if: You need to solder tubes, replace the compressor, repair the electronic module or replace the evaporator.
- 💰 Economic feasibility: If the refrigerator is more than 10-12 years old and the compressor needs to be replaced or evaporator, it is often cheaper to buy new equipment than to repair old equipment.
- 📜 Warranty: If the warranty period has not yet expired, any independent repair will lead to its loss. It is prohibited to open the seals.
Why does the Indesit refrigerator freeze, but not turns off?
If the unit operates without interruption, this may indicate a freon leak (the compressor is trying to compensate for the lack of cold), a clogged capillary, or a malfunction of the thermostat that does not give the command to turn off. Also, the cause may be a loose fit of the door.
Is it possible to use an Indesit refrigerator if it does not freeze?
You cannot operate a faulty refrigerator. This will lead to food spoilage and bacterial growth. In addition, if the cause is a freon leak or problems with the compressor, idling can completely damage the motor, making repairs economically unprofitable.
How often do you need to defrost a No Frost refrigerator?
The system No Frost does not require manual defrosting to remove ice, as this happens automatically. However, at least once a year it is recommended to completely turn off the refrigerator, wash it and let it dry to remove odors and check the condition of the seals.
What to do if it is warm in the refrigerator compartment and cold in the freezer?
This is a common problem with two-chamber models. Reasons: blockage in the cold air supply channel, malfunction of the damper (if there is one), fan failure or freon leak (often in the freezer circuit, but there is only enough cold for it). Diagnostics by a technician is required.