The situation when the refrigerator Indesit stops cooling food, but the compressor continues to hum, is one of the most common and alarming for the owner of the equipment. The noise of the motor creates a false sense of normal operation, but the lack of cold in the chambers indicates a serious disturbance in the refrigerant circulation cycle. Unlike a complete stop of the unit, when the equipment is simply silent, a refrigerator that is working but not freezing requires a more in-depth diagnosis.
This symptom cannot be ignored, since the products begin to deteriorate, and further operation can lead to the failure of an expensive compressor due to idle operation. Most often, the problem lies not in the engine itself, but in the elements that provide heat removal or freon supply. Understanding the principles of operation of the cooling system will help you quickly navigate the nature of the breakdown.
In this article, we will analyze in detail the main causes of malfunctions that are typical for refrigerators of the brand Indesit, and determine which of them can be fixed independently, and in which cases you will need to call a specialist. It is important to act consistently so as not to aggravate the situation and to accurately determine the source of the problem.
Primary diagnosis: checking obvious causes
Before suspecting a complex breakdown, it is necessary to eliminate trivial operating errors that often occur in a hurry. Sometimes the reason for the lack of cold lies in incorrectly set settings or a disrupted operating mode. Carefully inspect the control panel and make sure that the fast freezing mode has not been accidentally activated or, conversely, the temperature has not been reset.
Check the tight fit of the door to the body. If the rubber band is dirty or deformed, cold air escapes and the unit cannot reach the desired temperature while operating in constant mode. You should also make sure that the refrigerator is level and not tilted back, which can interfere with the normal closing of the door.
Pay attention to the location of the equipment. If Indesit stands close to the wall or next to heating devices, the heat exchange system is disrupted. The compressor works, trying to cool the chambers, but due to overheating of the condenser, the efficiency drops to zero.
It is important to check that the air supply to the rear grille is not clogged. Dust, animal hair and kitchen grease accumulate there over the years, forming a thick “carpet” that blocks. Cleaning the condenser is the first thing to do if you notice that the refrigerator is humming but not cooling.
Problems with the thermostat and temperature sensors
One of the common reasons why Indesit works without stopping, but does not freeze, is the failure of the thermostat or electronic temperature sensor. This element is responsible for sending a signal to the compressor to turn it on or off. If the sensor “lies” and shows that it is already quite cold in the chamber, the motor may not start at all, but in our case the motor is running, which means there is a signal to turn on, but the system does not respond properly.
In models with electronic control (No Frost), air sensors are responsible for the temperature. If one of them fails or the contact is loose, the control board may receive incorrect data. For example, the evaporator sensor may indicate that the temperature is low when in reality it is warm. As a result, the compressor hums, but the defrost or fan cycles are disrupted.
- 🔌 Mechanical thermostat: In older models, this is a (twist) with a tube that should be in close contact with the chamber. If the tube is displaced, the cycle is disrupted.
- ❄️ Defrost sensor: If it is faulty, the refrigerator may go into eternal defrost or, conversely, become overgrown with ice, blocking the cold.
- 📉 Electronic board: Failures in the control module can lead to commands being sent to the compressor, but other components (fan, valve) are not activated.
To check the thermostat in mechanical models, you can try closing its contacts. If after this procedure the compressor starts operating normally (turning on and off), then the regulator needs to be changed. However, if the refrigerator Indesit continues to hum without interruption and does not freeze, the problem is deeper.
How to check the sensor with a multimeter?
To check the temperature sensor, you need to remove it and test the resistance. When the temperature changes (for example, if you hold the sensor in your hand), the resistance should change. If the readings stay the same, the sensor is faulty.
Freon leak: hidden and dangerous malfunction
The most likely reason why the refrigerator Indesit hums but does not cool is a refrigerant (freon) leak. Gas circulates in a closed loop, and if a microcrack appears in the tubes, the pressure drops. The compressor continues to work, trying to pump what is left in the system, but the cooling efficiency drops to almost zero.
Leaks often occur at the solder joints of the tubes or in the foamed part of the housing where the evaporator passes. It is difficult to visually detect such a leak, since freon is a colorless and odorless gas. An indirect sign may be the lack of heating of the condenser (side walls or rear grille) or, conversely, its local heating only at the beginning of the circuit.
If you notice that the motor is running almost without interruption, trying to gain temperature, and there is heat inside the chamber, this is a sure sign of a lack of freon. Long-term operation in this mode is dangerous for the compressor, as it can overheat due to the lack of cooling by the oil that circulates along with the gas.
⚠️ Attention: Self-filling the refrigerator with freon is impossible without special equipment and skills. Attempts to “pump up” gas through untested valves can lead to complete failure of the system.
There is a myth that freon needs to be “just added” every few years. This is a misconception. In a working, sealed refrigerator Indesit freon circulates for decades without loss. If the gas is gone, it means there is a hole that needs to be found and sealed.
Clogged capillary tube and symptoms
Another technical reason why the engine runs but there is no cold is a clogged capillary tube. This element is a thin copper pipeline that serves as a choke for freon. Over time, oxidation products, moisture or dirt may accumulate in the system, blocking the narrow passage.
When clogged, the compressor tries to push freon, creating high pressure in front of the plug, but the gas does not enter the evaporator or enters in scanty quantities. A characteristic sign of a blockage is a temperature difference: the condenser may be hot, and the return pipe (entering the compressor) may be at room temperature or even warm, whereas normally it should be cool.
Often a blockage is accompanied by unusual behavior of the refrigerator: it may freeze for a while, then stop, and so on in a circle. Or you may hear gurgling sounds that weren't there before. Moisture that gets into the system can freeze in the capillary, forming an ice plug, which then thaws and the cycle repeats.
To eliminate this problem, it is necessary to flush the system with nitrogen under pressure and replace the filter drier. This is a complex procedure that requires opening the circuit, so you shouldn’t undertake it without skills and tools.
Faults in the No Frost system
If you have a model Indesit with the system No Frostthen the lack of cold when the engine is running may be due to a breakdown of the air flow components. In such refrigerators, the cold is produced in one place (behind the back wall), and then blown into the chamber by a fan. If the fan does not turn, the cold remains behind the wall.
A common problem is freezing of the air ducts or dampers. This happens if the defrost system is not working correctly. Ice blocks the air passage, and even a properly working compressor will not be able to cool the food, since the cold air simply does not reach the shelves.
It is also worth checking the air flow regulator damper. In some models Indesit it is controlled by a motor. If the damper is stuck in the closed position, cold does not enter the main chamber, although there may be an ice crust in the freezer.
| Symptom | Possible cause in No Frost | Where to look for the problem |
|---|---|---|
| It is warm in the chamber, the motor humming | The fan does not work | The rear wall of the freezer compartment |
| A grinding or noise is heard | The fan impeller touches the ice | Evaporator unit defrost |
| The freezer is freezing, the refrigerator compartment is not | The damper is closed or the channel is clogged | The air duct between the chambers |
| There is ice on the back wall | The defrost heating element or timer is faulty | Evaporator unit |
You can check the operation of the fan by opening the freezer door and holding the door sensor (or just quickly looking inside until it stops). If the blades do not spin when the compressor is running, there is a problem in the fan motor or its power supply circuit.
When the compressor is running “idle”
Sometimes the hum that you hear is not the full operation of the compressor, but its frantic attempts to start or operation without load. If the valves (plates) in the compressor are burnt out, it will hum, create vibration, but not develop the required pressure to compress the gas. Freon will simply circulate in a circle without a cooling effect.
This can be determined by the temperature of the compressor housing and tubes. If the valves are broken, the body may be warm, but not hot, and the outlet and inlet tubes will have the same temperature. This means that compression does not occur.
In such a situation, replacing the compressor is the only solution. However, before changing the “heart” of the refrigerator, the technician must make sure that the problem is in it, and not in a blockage or leak, which could cause overheating and damage to the valves.
☑️ Diagnostics before calling a technician
It is important to understand that motor-compressor is an expensive unit, and replacing it is often economically feasible only if the rest of the refrigerator is in good condition. In older models Indesit sometimes it is easier to purchase new equipment than changing the compressor, filter, vacuuming and refilling.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to use a refrigerator if it hums, but does not freezes?
Strongly not recommended. The food will deteriorate, and the compressor, running idle or in overload mode, may completely fail, which will lead to expensive repairs or fire.
How long should the refrigerator cool down after defrosting before turning it on?
If you defrosted Indesit to remove ice, let it stand turned off for at least 4-6 hours (preferably a day). The oil must drain into the compressor crankcase, otherwise water hammer is possible.
Why did the refrigerator stop freezing again after replacing the freon?
Most likely, the leak site was not found and repaired. Refilling without searching for a hole is a temporary measure. Also, the problem may be due to poor evacuation of the system when moisture remains inside.
Can a clog in the filter-drier be the reason for the lack of cold?
Yes, the filter-drier retains moisture and dirt. If it is completely clogged, the circulation of freon stops. The symptoms will be similar to a clogged capillary tube: high pressure, lack of cold, compressor overheating.
⚠️ Attention: Repair of the refrigeration circuit (soldering, vacuuming, refilling) requires a license and special equipment. Do not try to solder tubes with ordinary solder without nitrogen protection - scale will form inside, which will kill the system in a couple of months.
To summarize, we can say that a running motor in the absence of cold in Indesit is a signal of a violation of refrigerant circulation or heat exchange. Whether it is a leak, a blockage or a breakdown of electronics, timely diagnostics will help preserve equipment and products.