Why the Indesit refrigerator does not cool, but the freezer does works: complete analysis of faults

The refrigerator Indesit stopped cooling food, but the freezer works as before? This problem is familiar to many owners of dual-chamber models of the brand. Most often, it occurs suddenly: yesterday everything was fine, and today it is +15°C in the refrigerator compartment, the food spoils, and the freezer continues to freeze tightly. Do not rush to call a specialist — in 60% of cases, the cause can be eliminated on your own in 10-30 minutes.

In this article We will analyze all possible reasons such a malfunction - from a banal clogged capillary tube to a breakdown of the electronic module. You will learn how to carry out diagnostics without special tools, which parts most often fail in models Indesit (for example, C 132 G, TN 116, DF 4180), and when professional repairs are really required. And also - step-by-step instructions with photos and videos that will help you save on calling a service center.

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1. A clogged capillary tube is the most common cause

If the freezer works but the refrigerator does not, in 40% of cases the culprit is capillary tube a thin copper channel through which the refrigerant (freon) enters the evaporator of the refrigerator compartment. Over time, it becomes clogged with oil decomposition products, small particles or moisture. As a result, freon cannot circulate normally, and the refrigerator compartment stops cooling.

🔍 How to check?

Turn on the refrigerator at maximum cooling mode. If after 1-2 hours:

✅ The freezer is freezing, as usual → the blockage is confirmed.

❌ The freezer is also not freezing well → the problem is different (see the section on freon leakage).

⚠️ Attention: Do not try to clean the capillary tube yourself without experience! If you act carelessly, you can damage it or the freon circulation system. It is better to contact a specialist with purge equipment.

• 🛠️ What to do: Call a specialist to purge the system with nitrogen or replace the capillary tube. The average cost of repair is 2,500–4,000 ₽.
• ⏳ Repair period: 1-2 hours (if the technician arrives with spare parts).
• 🔄 Prevention: Carry out maintenance every 2 years (cleaning the condenser, checking oil).

2. Malfunction of the temperature regulator (thermostat) of the fridge compartment

The thermostat is the “brain” of the fridge compartment. It controls the temperature and sends a signal to the compressor to turn on/off. If the thermostat is broken, the compressor may not start at all to cool the refrigerator compartment, while the freezer continues to work (it has its own separate thermostat or sensor).

🔧 How to check the thermostat?

Unplug the refrigerator, remove the protective cover from the thermostat (usually located inside the chamber, behind the plastic panel) and:

1. Find two wires going to the thermostat and connect them to each other (for example, with a screwdriver).
2. Plug in the refrigerator. If the compressor works, the thermostat is faulty.

💡 Signs of a thermostat failure:

• 🔴 The compressor does not turn on at all or works without stopping.
• 🔴 It is warm in the refrigerator compartment, but the temperature in the freezer is normal.
• 🔴 When you turn the thermostat knob, there is no click (characteristic sound of operation).

⚠️ Attention: In models Indesit with electronic control (for example, Indesit ITF 118) instead of a mechanical thermostat, temperature sensoris used. Checking it requires a multimeter - if the resistance of the sensor does not change when the temperature changes, it must be replaced.

3. Freon leak - when both the refrigerator and the freezer are weakly freezing

If, along with the refrigerator compartment, the freezer also starts to freeze poorly, most likely it happened refrigerant (freon) leak. This is a serious breakdown that requires professional intervention. Freon can leak through microcracks in the tubes, soldering points, or due to corrosion of aluminum parts.

🔍 **Signs of a freon leak:

• 🧊 The freezer has stopped charging the desired temperature (for example, instead of -18°C, only -8°C).
• 🕒 The compressor runs without stopping or turns on for a short time.
• 🔊 A hissing sound appears (in rare cases).
• 💧 Oil stains are visible on the back wall of the refrigerator (freon leaks out along with the oil).

🛠️ What to do?

A freon leak cannot be eliminated on your own - you need to:

1. Find the location of the leak (using a leak detector or soap solution).
2. Repair the damage (solder the tube or replace detail).
3. Evacuate the system and fill with new freon.

📌 In Indesit models with the No Frost system, freon leaks often occur in the freezer evaporator due to corrosion. This requires replacing the entire evaporator unit, which costs 6,000–9,000 rubles.

4. No Frost fan breakdown

If your refrigerator Indesit is equipped with a system No Frost, the problem may lie in the fan that distributes cold air between the chambers. When it breaks, the freezer continues to work (since the evaporator is located there), and the refrigerator compartment remains warm.

🔊 How to understand that the fan is broken?

Listen to the operation of the refrigerator. In normal mode, a slight air noise should be heard (like in a computer cooler). If there is silence, the fan does not work.

🔧 **Causes of fan failure:

• 🧊 Icing of the blades (due to a malfunction of the defrost system).
• 🔌 Fan motor failure.
• 🕷️ Ingress of foreign objects (pieces of food, ice).
• 🔋 Break in the power supply circuit.

⚠️ Attention: Do not try to disassemble the fan yourself if it is frozen! First, defrost the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours, then check the rotation of the blades by hand. If they do not spin freely, replacement is required.

5. Malfunction of the electronic control module

In modern models Indesit (for example, Indesit EF 18, Indesit ITF 118 W) is responsible for cold distribution. electronic control unit. If it fails, the compressor or fan may malfunction, causing the refrigerator compartment to stop cooling, but the freezer to work normally.

💻 **Signs of a broken electronic module:

• 🔄 The refrigerator turns on/off spontaneously.
• 📛 Errors appear on the display (for example, F01, F04, F07).
• 🔌 The compressor does not respond to changes in temperature settings.
• 🔊 Extraneous sounds appear (squeaks, clicks) from the control unit.

🛠️ What to do?

The electronic module is a complex device, and its repair requires special skills. However, you can:

1. Reset the refrigerator settings (disconnect from the network for 10 minutes).
2. Check the contacts and wires going to the module (the connector may have come loose).
3. If an error is on the display, check its code with the instructions (for example, F04 often means a problem with the temperature sensor).

💰 Repair cost:

• Diagnostics - 1,000–1,500 ₽.
• Module repair (resoldering of elements) - 3,000–5,000 ₽.
• Module replacement - 5,000–8,000 ₽.

Error codes Indesit

F01 - Malfunction of the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor
F02 - Problem with the freezer sensor
F04 - Short circuit in the sensor circuit
F07 - Malfunction of the fan No Frost
F10 - Communication error between modules (in two-compressor models)

6. Problems with the door seal

If the rubber seal on the refrigerator door is worn out or dirty, warm air constantly enters the chamber. The compressor does not have time to cool. flow, and the temperature rises. The freezer can work normally, since its seal often remains sealed.

🔍 How to check the seal?

Close the door and try to insert it between the seal and the body of the refrigerator. sheet of paperIf it passes easily or falls out, the rubber band will work. leaky.

🧽 **What to do?

• 🧼 Clean the seal from dirt and grease (use soap solution or special products).
• 🔧 Adjust the doorif it sags (tighten the hinges).
• 🛒 Replace the sealif it is torn or has lost elasticity (the cost of a new rubber band is 1,000–2,500 rubles).

⚠️ Attention: B models Indesit with a magnetic seal (for example, Indesit BIAA 13), the magnet loses strength over time. If the rubber is externally intact, but the door does not close tightly, replacement is required.

7. chamber

If the drainage hole (through which condensation drains) is clogged, water accumulates at the bottom of the chamber and can freeze, blocking air circulation. As a result, the temperature in the refrigerator rises, and the freezer operates normally.

💧 **Signs of a clogged drain:

• 🌊 Puddle under the fruit/vegetable drawers.
• ☃️ Ice on the back wall of the refrigerator.
• 💨 Unpleasant odor due to stagnant water.

🧹 **How to clean drainage?

1. Unplug the refrigerator.
2. Find the drainage hole (usually at the bottom of the back wall of the chamber).
3. Clean it with a cotton swab or soft wire.
4. Wash the hole warm water with soap.

🔄 Prevention:

Once a month, wash the drainage hole to to avoid blockages. You can use soda solution (1 tablespoon per glass of water).

What to do if nothing happens. did it help?

If you tried all the methods, but the refrigerator Indesit still does not get cold, and the freezer is working, perhaps the problem is:

• 🔧 Compressor (wear, interturn short circuit).
• 🧲 Start-protective relay (does not start the compressor).
• 🔌 Electrical wiring (open circuit, short circuit).

In these cases it is required professional diagnostics. The average cost of a technician’s visit is 1,500–2,500 rubles, diagnostics is 1,000–1,500 rubles. If the refrigerator is more than 7 years old, it is sometimes cheaper to buy a new one than to repair an old one.

📌 Advice:

Before the technician’s visit, take a photo of:

• Refrigerator model (sticker on the back wall).
• Any errors on the display.
• Condition of the rear wall (presence of oil stains, icing).

This will help the technician quickly determine the cause of the malfunction.

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FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Indesit refrigerators

❓ Why does the Indesit refrigerator not cool, but the freezer works after defrosting?

Rather In general, after defrosting, the fan did not turn on No Frost (if it is in the model) or occurred freon leak due to a sudden change in temperature. Check whether the fan is spinning (put your ear to the back wall of the freezer). If not, replacement is required. Also inspect the back wall for oil stains (a sign of leakage). data-i="230">freon leak

❓ Is it possible to fill freon into the Indesit refrigerator yourself?

No, this danger and requires special equipment (vacuum pump, freon cylinder, leak detector). Incorrect filling can lead to this. to damage to the compressor or explosion (R600a freon is flammable!) Contact a specialist.

❓ How much does it cost to repair an Indesit refrigerator if the refrigerator compartment does not work?

The cost depends on the reason:

• 🔧 Replacement of the thermostat - 1,500–2,500 ₽.
• 🌀 Cleaning capillary tube — 2,500–4,000 ₽.
• ❄️ Replacement of the No Frost fan — 2,000–3,500 ₽.
• 💻 Repair of the electronic module — 3,000–6,000 ₽.
• ☠️ Replacement of the compressor - 5,000–8,000 ₽.

The technician will name the exact price after diagnosis.

❓ How to temporarily store food if the refrigerator is not working?

If the repair is delayed, use:

• 🧊 Cooler bag with cold batteries.
• ☃️ Balcony (if it's cold outside).
• 🥶 A basin with cold water (for short-term storage of perishable foods).

Do not store meat, fish and dairy products at temperatures above +4°C for more than 2 hours!

❓ Why, after replacing the thermostat, the Indesit refrigerator still does not cool?

Possible reasons:

• 🔌 Incorrect connection thermostat (wires mixed up).
• 🧲 Compressor malfunction (does not create the required pressure).
• 💧 Freon leak during repair.
• 📛 Defective new thermostat (rare, but it happens).

Call a technician for re-diagnosis.