The Indesit refrigerator does not freeze the top part: reasons and what to do

A refrigerator Indesit with a system No Frost or drip defrosting has stopped cooling the upper chamber, but the freezer is working normally? This problem occurs in models Indesit C 132 G, Indesit ITF 118 W and other two-chamber units. In 80% of cases, faults are to blame that you can fix yourself - without calling a technician.

In this article we will look 7 main reasonswhy the upper part of the refrigerator Indesit does not freeze, and also give step-by-step instructions for diagnosis and repair. You will learn how to check the thermostat, fan and evaporator, when defrosting is enough, and when components need to be replaced. At the end there is a FAQ with answers to frequently asked questions from owners.

1. Clogged drainage system: why the upper chamber does not cool

If a refrigerator Indesit with drip defrosting has stopped freezing from above, but the freezer is working, the first reason is clogged drainage channel. Water from the evaporator does not go into the pan, accumulates at the bottom of the chamber and forms ice, which blocks the circulation of cold air.

How does this manifest itself:

• 🔹 On the back wall of the upper chamber there is a thick layer of ice or frost.
• 🔹 Below under the vegetable drawers there are puddles of water.
• 🔹 The compressor works non-stop, but the temperature does not drop below +10°C.

What to do:

1. Disconnect the refrigerator from the network for 12-24 hours for complete defrosting.
2. After defrosting, clean the drainage hole (located on the back wall of the chamber) using a cotton swab or a syringe with warm water.
3. Check that it doesn't get in whether a piece of food or packaging is inserted into the channel.

2. No Frost fan malfunction: how to check and repair

In models Indesit with a system No Frost (for example, Indesit BIAA 13 or Indesit ITF 118) the fan is responsible for circulating cold air. If it breaks, the upper chamber will stop cooling, although the freezer will work. Signs of breakdown:

• 🔊 Characteristic noise (grinding, crackling) from the back of the refrigerator, which then disappeared.
• 🥶 The freezer freezes too much, and the upper chamber is weak or not at all warm.
• 🔄 The compressor turns on rarely, but for a long time.

How to diagnose:

1. Unplug the refrigerator and defrost it.
2. Remove the back panel in the freezer (usually secured with 4-6 screws).
3. Check whether the fan blade rotates manually. If not, the problem is in the motor or bearing.
4. Connect the refrigerator to the network and listen to whether the fan starts after 5-10 minutes. If not, a replacement is needed.

How to temporarily start the fan without replacement?

If the fan blade does not rotate due to ice, carefully remove the ice with a hairdryer (cold mode!) and lubricate the bearing with silicone grease. This will help for 1–2 months, but a full repair will still be required.

Cost of a new fan for Indesit —from 1,200 to 2,500 rubles. Replacement takes 20–30 minutes and does not require special tools.

3. Failure of the thermostat or temperature sensor

If the upper chamber of the refrigerator Indesit does not cool, but the light inside is on and the compressor works intermittently, it is to blame thermostat (in mechanical models) or temperature sensor (in electronic ones). These parts are responsible for signaling the compressor to turn on.

Symptoms of malfunction:

• 📉 The temperature in the upper chamber rises to +15°C and above.
• 🔄 The compressor turns on rarely or does not turn off at all.
• 🔧 When turning the thermostat knob (in mechanical models), there is no click.

How to check the thermostat:

1. Unplug the refrigerator.
2. Remove the thermostat cover (usually located inside the upper chamber or on the top panel outside).
3. Ring the contacts with a tester in resistance mode. At room temperature, the resistance should be 0 Ohm (contacts closed).
4. Immerse the sensor in ice for 5 minutes - the resistance should become infinity (contacts open).

If the thermostat does not respond to temperature changes, it needs to be replaced. In Indesit models with electronic control (for example, BIAA 13), the evaporator sensor often fails - it is checked in the same way, but the normal resistance at +20°C should be ~5 kOhm.

4. Freon leak: how to recognize and what to do

One ​​of the most serious breakdowns is refrigerant (freon) leak. It occurs due to corrosion of the evaporator tubes or mechanical damage. Signs:

• ❄️ The freezer is almost not freezing, the upper chamber is warm.
• 🔊 The compressor works non-stop, but does not cool.
• 🔧 On the back wall of the refrigerator there are traces of oil (freon leaves along with the oil).

What to do:

1. Turn off the refrigerator and inspect the back wall for oil stains or swollen sections of pipes.
2. If you suspect a leak, do not turn on the refrigerator this can damage the compressor.
3. Call a technician for pressure testing of the system and refilling with freon. The average cost of repairs is 3,500–6,000 rubles.

In models Indesit over 10 years old, leakage often occurs due to corrosion of aluminum tubes. If the refrigerator is no longer under warranty, consider buying a new one - repairs can cost 50–70% of the cost of a new unit.

5. Problems with the compressor: why doesn’t it pump out cold

If the refrigerator compressor Indesit hums, but does not freeze the upper chamber, three scenarios are possible:

1. Interturn short circuit —the motor heats up, but does not create the required pressure.
2. Piston jamming —the compressor tries to start, but turns off after 1-2 seconds.
3. Faulty start relay —the compressor does not start at all.

How to diagnose:

• 🔊 Listen to the sound of the compressor. Normal mode: smooth hum with slight vibration. If you hear clicking or rattling there is a problem with the relay or winding.
• 🔥 Touch the compressor housing after 10 minutes of operation. If it scalding hot is an interturn short circuit.
• 📊 Check the resistance of the windings with a tester (norm for Indesit: 20–40 Ohm between contacts).

Solution:

• If the problem is start relay (costs 500–1,200 rubles), replace it yourself.
• If the problem is in the compressor, repairs will cost 8,000–15,000 rubles. For refrigerators older than 7 years, this is unprofitable.

6. Capillary tube clogged: how to clean the system

The capillary tube is a thin channel through which freon enters the evaporator. If it becomes clogged (for example, due to moisture or oil particles), the upper chamber of the refrigerator Indesit will stop freezing, and the freezer will work intermittently.

Signs of a clog:

• 🧊 The condenser (grid on the back wall) is cold, although the compressor is working.
• 🔄 The freezer freezes weakly, the upper chamber is warm.
• 🔊 The compressor works non-stop, but does not cool.

How to clean:

1. Turn off the refrigerator and defrost it on 24 hours.
2. Remove the back panel and find the capillary tube (thin copper tube running from the compressor to the evaporator).
3. Gently tap it wooden block (not with metal!) to remove the plug.
4. If this does not help, you will need purging with nitrogen (done by a master).

Cost of cleaning the capillary tube - 2,000–4,000 rubles. In 30% of cases, freon refilling is required after cleaning.

7. Incorrect operation: 5 mistakes of owners

Sometimes the upper chamber of the refrigerator Indesit does not freeze due to trivial errors in use. Check:

If after eliminating these errors the problem remains, proceed to diagnosing technical faults (see sections above).

Frequently asked questions about Indesit refrigerators

❓ Why does the top chamber not freeze, but the freezer works fine?

This is a typical symptom clogged drainage (in models with drip defrosting) or fan breakdown (in No Frost). Also check thermostat and door seal.

❓ How often do you need defrost an Indesit refrigerator with No Frost?

The manufacturer claims that defrosting is not required. But in practice, it is recommended to defrost the refrigerator once every 6-12 monthsto remove deposits on the evaporator and check the drainage.

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

No. Refueling requires special tool (vacuum pump, pressure manifold) and skills. Incorrect refueling can damage the compressor.

❓ How much does it cost to repair a compressor in an Indesit refrigerator?

The cost depends on the model:

• Replacing the start relay - 500–1,200 rub.
• Compressor repair (oil change, cleaning) — 3,000–5,000 rub.
• Complete compressor replacement — 8 000–15,000 rub.

❓ Why is the Indesit refrigerator humming, but not freezing?

Probable reasons:

• 🔹 Leakage freon - the compressor is idling.
• 🔹 Clogged capillary tube —freon does not enter the evaporator.
• 🔹 Compressor malfunction —interturn short circuit or jamming.

Master diagnostics required.

If your refrigerator Indesit stops freezing at the top, start with simple checks: defrosting, cleaning the drainage and diagnosing the fan. In 60% of cases, the problem is solved without calling a technician. For complex breakdowns (freon leakage, compressor replacement), it is better to contact a service center - this will save time and money.