The situation when Indesit refrigerator continues to work, but stops cooling the upper chamber, is one of the most common problems for owners of this equipment. Users often notice that the food in the freezer is still hard, and on the shelves of the main compartment the temperature rises to critical values, which jeopardizes the safety of food.
In most cases, the cause is a violation of the refrigerant circulation or a malfunction of the defrost system. It is important to understand that modern models, such as Indesit C 132 G or series No Frost, have different designs, but the principle of troubleshooting is often similar. Don't panic if you find that the top of the unit has become warm - in many cases, the problem can be diagnosed yourself before calling a technician.
The first thing to do is to completely defrost the unit within 24 hours by unplugging it from the power supply. If after switching on the cold appeared, but after a couple of days it disappeared again, then we are dealing with a system breakdown that requires the intervention of specialists or deep cleaning of the system.
The main reasons for the lack of cold in the upper chamber
The main reason for this is often a banal violation of operating rules or natural wear and tear of components. In systems with one compressor and one cooling circuit, a failure in any unit can lead to a stop in the circulation of freon in the evaporator of the upper chamber. Indesit refrigerator does not freeze at the top, often becomes a banal violation of operating rules or natural wear and tear of components. In systems with one compressor and one cooling circuit, a failure in any component can lead to a stop in the circulation of freon in the evaporator of the upper chamber.
The most critical factor is refrigerant leak. If a microscopic hole has formed in the system, freon gradually comes out, and its pressure is not enough to reach the upper compartments. In this case, the compressor works almost non-stop, trying to compensate for the loss of cold, but the temperature in the upper compartment remains positive.
This is also a common problem clogged capillary tube. Oil breakdown products or moisture entering the system turn into an ice plug or mud mass, blocking the flow of refrigerant. As a result, the lower part (freezer) can cool for some time due to residual pressure, and the upper part stops working completely.
Hidden leak
how to find it?: If there are no visual traces of oil on the tubes, the leak is often searched for using a soap solution or special indicators. The master applies foam to the joints of the tubes and the back wall; the appearance of bubbles indicates the location of depressurization. It is dangerous to do this on your own without the skills to work with vacuum pumps and gas stations.
Malfunctions of the No Frost and defrost system
If your Indesit is equipped with a system No Frostthen the lack of cold at the top may be due to a malfunction of the defrost system. In such models, the evaporator is hidden behind a plastic panel in the freezer, and if it becomes covered with ice, cold air stops flowing into the upper compartment through special channels.
The key elements here are Defrosting heating element, thermostat (or defrost sensor) and timer (or electronic control module). If the heating element burns out, the ice does not melt, the channels become clogged with sludge, and the fan stops blowing air. This can be seen visually if you remove the back panel in the freezer: the evaporator will be covered with a thick layer of ice.
Another reason may be failure fan. If it does not spin, cold air remains in the freezer and does not enter the upper chamber. This is often accompanied by the absence of the characteristic noise of the fan when the refrigerator door is open.
Problems with the compressor and starting relay
The compressor is the “heart” of the refrigerator, and if it does not work correctly, all chambers suffer. However, it happens that the engine hums but does not start, or starts for a few seconds and stalls. In this case, the upper chamber does not have time to cool.
Often the culprit is starting relay. This is a small part that fits onto the compressor contacts. If it is burnt or stuck, the compressor cannot start. You can check this visually (presence of burning, cracks) or by replacing it with a known-good relay.
A more serious problem is turn-to-turn short circuit in the compressor windings. In this case, the engine hums, heats up, but does not develop the required pressure to pump freon through the system. Repair in this case is usually impractical; replacement of the compressor is required.
- 🔌 Symptoms: clicking when trying to start, hum that turns into silence, hot compressor housing.
- 🛠 Actions: voltage check in the network, replacing the start-protection relay, measuring the resistance of the windings.
- ⚙️ Result: if after replacing the relay the compressor does not start, the motor itself is likely to break down.
Clogged capillary tube: symptoms and diagnostics
Clogging capillary tube is a technically complex malfunction that is difficult to diagnose without equipment, but can be assumed based on indirect signs. Moisture or oxidation products collect in a tube with a diameter of less than 1 mm, blocking the movement of freon.
A characteristic sign is that condenser grid (black grille at the back) remains cold or barely warm, although the compressor is running constantly. In this case, at the point where the capillary tube enters the evaporator, swelling or, conversely, a complete lack of cooling may be observed.
⚠️ Attention: Attempts to clean the capillary tube yourself using high-pressure nitrogen without evacuating the system will lead to moisture and dirt getting deeper into the circuit, which will ultimately remove the refrigerator is out of order.
To eliminate the blockage, a professional flushing the system nitrogen and replacement of the filter-drier are required. This is a standard repair procedure, which returns the permeability of the circuit.
Freon leak: how to determine and what to do
If Indesit refrigerator it stops freezing at the top, and you do not hear the characteristic gurgling or hissing during operation, a complete or partial release of refrigerant may have occurred. Freon circulates in a closed circuit, and in normal condition its quantity does not change for years.
Leakage often occurs in places where tubes are soldered or in the foamed part of the body (internal partitions), especially if the refrigerator is old or has been subjected to mechanical stress. It is rarely possible to visually determine the location of the leak, since the gas is colorless and odorless.
Masters use leak detectors or the method of immersion in water (for removed units) to find the fistula. After detection, the place is soldered, the system is vacuumized and filled with new freon strictly according to the weight indicated on the nameplate.
Malfunctions of the thermostat and sensors
In refrigerators with mechanical control, the temperature is controlled by thermostat. If its sensitive capillary tube has lost its tightness or has moved, the compressor may not turn on at all or work too little, not having time to cool the upper chamber.
In models with electronic control (display on the door), they are responsible for control temperature sensors. If the upper chamber sensor “lies” and shows the module that there is already cold, the compressor simply will not start. Replacing the sensor often solves the problem.
☑️ Diagnostics of the thermostat
It is also worth checking the settings. Sometimes users accidentally set the minimum cooling power or activate the “vacation” mode, which turns off the main chamber, leaving only the freezer running.
Table: Comparison of symptoms and probable causes
For ease of diagnosis, the main symptoms and the corresponding malfunctions are summarized in a table. This will help you quickly navigate the nature of your breakdown Indesit.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Difficulty of repair |
|---|---|---|
| The compressor hums, but does not start | Faulty start relay or compressor | Medium / High |
| The refrigerator runs constantly, but does not freeze | Freon leak or clogged capillary | High (a master is needed) |
| There is ice slush in the freezer, it’s warm at the top | Failure of the defrosting system (No Frost) | Medium |
| The compressor does not turn on at all | Faulty thermostat or module | Low / Medium |
| The sound of a running fan is heard, there is no cold | Air duct freezing or leakage | High |
Analysis of symptoms allows you to weed out simple problems from complex. If you see that the case falls into the “High complexity” category, it is better not to risk it and contact the service.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Why does the Indesit refrigerator freeze only at the bottom, but it is warm at the top?
This is a classic sign Freon leaks or Clogged capillary tube. The refrigerant pressure is only enough for the first circuit (freezer), and the gas simply does not reach the upper evaporator. It is also possible that the air supply channel may freeze over in No Frost models.
How long should the refrigerator cool down after defrosting?
Usually setting the temperature takes from 2 to 6 hours. If after 6-8 hours operation of the compressor the upper chamber remains warm and the products are not cooled, then there is a technical malfunction.
Is it possible to replace the thermostat yourself?
Yes, if you have the skills to work with the tool and a new regulator matched exactly to the model Indesit. The main thing is to correctly install and secure the sensitive capillary tube in the seat of the evaporator.
What to do if after defrosting the cold appears, but disappears after a day?
This is a sure sign of clogging (water plug) or malfunction of the defrost system. During defrosting, the ice melts and temporarily allows freon or air to pass through, but during operation, the moisture freezes again and blocks the system. Repair required.
Why is the back wall of the Indesit refrigerator covered with ice?
In drip systems this may be the norm in the defrost cycle, but if the layer of ice is thick and does not melt - it is faulty thermostat (does not turn off the compressor) or the tightness of the door seal is broken, which is why warm, humid air enters inside.