The situation when ice forms in the refrigerator instead of fresh food and vegetables freeze is familiar to many owners of brand equipment Atlant. Instead of the usual +3...+5 degrees, the temperature drops to negative values, turning the contents into an icy lump. This is not just inconvenience, it is a signal of a serious malfunction in the thermoregulation or refrigerant circulation system.
Most often the problem lies in the incorrect operation of the automation, which stops stopping the compressor in time. Thermostat or the electronic control module “thinks” that there is still something in the chamber warm, and makes the engine work without stopping. As a result, cold air, which normally should circulate only in the freezer compartment or be supplied in doses, intensively cools the upper chamber.
Ignoring this malfunction leads to increased energy consumption and accelerated wear of the compressor. In addition, products lose their taste and vitamins. Understanding why your Atlant started to work in increased mode will allow you to choose the right repair strategy - from simple adjustments to replacing expensive components.
Malfunctions of the thermostat and temperature sensors
The most likely culprit is extreme cooling in models with mechanical control is thermostat. This device is responsible for opening the electrical circuit when the set temperature is reached. If its contacts “stick” in a closed state or the capillary tube loses sensitivity, the compressor does not receive a command to stop.
In modern models Atlant with the No Frost system or electronic control, sensors (thermistors) are responsible for temperature control. They change their resistance depending on the heat in the chamber. If the sensor “lies” and shows the module that the refrigerator is +10°C, when in fact it is already -5°C, the system will continue to freeze.
⚠️ Attention: When replacing a thermostat or sensor, it is critical to install an element with exactly the same parameters as the original. Installing an analogue with a different temperature response threshold will lead to a repetition of the problem or damage to the products.
Diagnostics of these elements requires a multimeter. For a mechanical thermostat, check for the presence of a “ring” in the circuit when the sensing tube cools. Electronic sensors are checked for compliance with the resistance table of ratings for a specific temperature.
How to check a thermostat without instruments?
If you do not have a multimeter, you can conduct a visual test. Unplug the refrigerator, remove the thermostat and lower its capillary tube into a container of ice water (you can add salt). After 2-3 minutes, there may not be a click if the device is faulty, but this method does not provide a 100% guarantee.
Failures in the operation of the electronic control module
The “brain” of the refrigerator is an electronic control unit that processes signals from all sensors and controls the actuators. In two-compressor models Atlant each circuit is independent, but in single-compressor systems with one motor, a failure of the board logic can lead to the damper Air Control staying open for too long.
The reason may be a breakdown of power keys on the board, oxidation of contacts or software failure. In this case, the refrigerator freezes not because it “wants” to, but because the “stop” command simply does not arrive at the compressor or solenoid valve.
Often owners are faced with a situation where, after a power surge in the network, the module begins to work incorrectly. It can ignore sensor readings and keep the compressor on constantly. Repair in this case requires re-soldering the board elements or its complete replacement.
Problems with the defrost system in No Frost refrigerators
In models with the system No Frost Ice in the main chamber may appear due to a violation of the defrost cycle of the evaporator, which is usually located in the freezer compartment or behind the rear wall. If the defrost heating element, timer or defrost sensor fails, the evaporator becomes overgrown with a “fur coat”.
When the layer of ice becomes too thick, it blocks the air duct channels. The fan begins to drive air through these narrow slots at high speed, blowing a stream of air at a temperature below zero into the refrigerator compartment. Visually, it looks like the refrigerator is freezing too much, although in fact the circulation is disrupted.
- ❄️ Defrost heating element —it burns out and does not heat, the ice does not melt.
- ⏱️ Timer or sensor defrost —does not give a command to turn on the heating.
- 💨 Fan —may continue to blow even when the evaporator is frozen.
To fix the problem, it is often necessary to completely defrost the refrigerator within 24 hours. This is a temporary solution: if you do not replace the faulty element of the defrost system, the situation will repeat itself in a week.
Refrigerant leak and compressor operation
Paradoxically, a freon leak can also lead to local hypothermia. When there is not enough refrigerantin the system, the compressor works almost non-stop, trying to gain temperature. Under such conditions, an ice build-up may form where the tubes exit the evaporator (usually in the corner of the back wall or under the freezer).
Cold air from this build-up spreads throughout the chamber. If you have a single compressor Atlant, then due to the constant operation of the motor the temperature drops wherever possible. This is especially noticeable in areas in close proximity to the evaporator.
Signs of a leak are:
- 🔊 The compressor hums continuously, without rest cycles.
- 🌡️ The condenser (grid at the back) is only partially warm or barely warm.
- 💧 Absence of the characteristic gurgling of freon during operation.
In this case, simply replacing the thermostat will not help. It requires searching for the leak, soldering and filling the system with freon. This is a complex procedure that requires vacuuming the circuit.
Influence of operating mode and external factors
Sometimes the reason lies not in a breakdown, but in improper operation. The "Super Freeze" (Super Freeze) mode, turned on by mistake, causes the compressor to work without interruption. In some models, this mode must be turned off manually, otherwise the refrigerator will freeze until you notice the button.
It is also worth checking the position of the temperature regulator. If it is turned to the maximum (number 7 or the inscription Max), the refrigerator will strive to reach the minimum possible temperature, which in hot weather or with a large load can lead to freezing of food at the back wall.
It is important to take into account external factors:
- The location of the refrigerator next to the battery or in direct sunlight makes the automation work in extreme mode.
- Dense loading of the chamber with warm products.
- Loose fit of the door due to contamination of the seal.
⚠️ Attention: Do not set the temperature regulator to the maximum value in the summer. This creates an excessive load on the compressor and does not guarantee better preservation of the products, but only freezes them.
Diagnostics and fault table
To independently determine the cause of the problem, you can use the elimination method. Check whether the light is on, whether the door closes tightly, and whether the door is warped. If external causes are excluded, proceed to the analysis of symptoms.
Below is a table that helps to compare the symptoms with a probable malfunction in refrigerators Atlant.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Repair complexity |
|---|---|---|
| Ice only at the rear wall | Thermostat or sensor is faulty | Low |
| Ice throughout the entire volume, the compressor does not turn off | Freon leak or breakdown module | High |
| The food is frozen, but the motor works intermittently | Electronics or Air Control damper failure | Medium |
| Ice at the bottom of the chamber, compressor constantly buzzing | Capillary clogged or leaking | High |
If you find that the compressor is running non-stop and the temperature in the chamber drops below 0°C, first try defrosting the refrigerator (turn it off for 24 hours). If after turning on the problem returns after a few days, you need to call a technician.
☑️ Actions before calling a technician
Temperature adjustment and prevention
Correct setting of the temperature regime is the key to long service technology. For a refrigerator, the optimal range is considered to be from +3 to +5 degrees. In the freezer Atlant the temperature should be about -18 degrees.
For mechanical regulators, the rule applies: the higher the number, the colder. Don't try to set the maximum value. Typically, the position in the middle of the scale (number 3 or 4) is optimal for most products.
Preventive measures will help avoid breakdowns:
- 🧹 Regularly wash the drainage hole on the back wall to prevent condensation from freezing, forming an ice plug.
- 🚪 Make sure the sealing rubber is clean - fat and crumbs break the seal.
- 🌡️ Do not place hot pots inside, this knocks down the sensors and causes the motor to operate for a long time.
Timely maintenance and careful attention to the “behavior” of your Atlanta will allow you to avoid costly repairs. If you notice that the refrigerator has begun to freeze more than usual, do not wait for complete icing - act immediately.
Why, after defrosting, did the refrigerator begin to freeze strongly again?
This means that the reason is not frozen ice, but a faulty unit. Most likely, the thermostat, temperature sensor or electronic control module has failed. Defrosting only temporarily eliminated the effect (ice), but not the cause (incorrect operation of the automation).
Is it possible to operate a refrigerator if it is very cold?
Short-term - yes, but this is harmful for the compressor, which wears out, and for products that lose their properties. In addition, ice can damage plastic parts or block ventilation holes, which will lead to even bigger problems.
How much does it cost to replace a thermostat in Atlanta?
The cost consists of the price of the spare part (about 500-1000 rubles) and the work of the technician. In service centers, the full cost of the service can vary from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles, depending on the region and model of the refrigerator.
What to do if ice is frozen in the No Frost chamber?
There should be no ice at all in the No Frost system. Its appearance indicates a breakdown of the defrost system (heating element, sensor, timer) or a violation of the door seal. It is necessary to diagnose and replace faulty elements of the defrost system.