The situation when a household appliance operates continuously always causes concern for the owner. If your Biryusa refrigerator stops turning off, this is a direct signal that the cooling system cannot reach the set temperature parameters or the compressor control logic is broken. The constant hum of the motor not only increases electricity bills, but also creates an excessive load on the unit, which can lead to its complete failure in the very near future.
In most cases, the reason lies in a malfunction of one of the sensors or a violation of the tightness of the circuit, but sometimes external factors are to blame, which can be easily eliminated with your own hands. Before calling a technician or disassembling the back panel, it is necessary to carry out initial diagnostics to eliminate common operating errors. Understanding the principle of operation refrigeration cycle will help you quickly determine the nature of the breakdown and choose the right repair strategy.
It is worth noting that modern models, such as Biryusa 133 or Biryusa 118are equipped with electronic controls, which more sensitive to power surges, while old Soviet units more often suffer from wear of mechanical parts. In any case, ignoring the problem will lead to freezing of the evaporator or, conversely, spoilage of products due to insufficient cold, if the compressor, working without interruption, has already lost its power.
Primary diagnosis: external factors and settings
Before sinning to break internal components, make sure that the device is not interfered with by external circumstances. Often, users themselves inadvertently create conditions under which refrigerator compartment cannot cool to the required temperature, causing the motor to wear out. Check whether the unit is too close to the radiator, oven or in direct sunlight, as this interferes with heat transfer.
The second important point is the tightness of the door. If sealing rubber is worn out, dirty or simply not completely closed, warm air from the room constantly enters the chamber. The compressor tries to compensate for this heat gain by working non-stop. Also check the thermostat settings: it may have been accidentally set to maximum freezing mode.
⚠️ Attention: If you notice that the rubber seal has yellowed, cracked or lost elasticity, replacing it will solve the problem of continuous operation in 80% of cases associated with leakage.
To quickly check the leaks, you can use a simple sheet of paper. Clamp it with the door around the perimeter: if it pulls out without resistance, then the seal is broken. In some cases, adjusting the door hinges helps, especially if the unit has not been serviced for a long time.
Malfunctions of the thermostat and temperature sensors
One of the most common reasons why Biryusa refrigerator does not turn off is the failure of the thermostat (thermostat). This element is responsible for supplying voltage to the compressor depending on the temperature inside the chambers. If the contacts inside the thermostat are “stuck” in the closed position, the motor will work endlessly, even when the arctic cold has already reached inside.
In models with electronic control (No Frost, Biryusa-KSh Snowflake series), air sensors are responsible for temperature control. If such a sensor transmits incorrect data to the control board (for example, it shows +10°C when it really is -5°C), the system will drive the compressor to the bitter end. Replacing these components requires disassembling the internal panel and having a multimeter to check the resistance.
Symptoms of a thermostat failure are often accompanied by the absence of a characteristic click when the temperature is reached. In mechanical models, you can try to temporarily short-circuit the wires going to the thermostat: if the refrigerator starts to turn off (although it will not freeze), then the culprit has been found. However, you cannot operate the equipment without a working thermostat - the food will freeze.
Refrigerant problems: freon leak
If compressor it hums continuously, but there is no cold in the chambers or it is very weak, there is a high probability of a refrigerant leak. Freon circulates in a closed circuit, and if the seal is broken (corrosion of tubes, microcracks in the evaporator), its quantity decreases. The pressure in the system drops, and the compressor, trying to build up the required pressure, works without interruption, but this is not effective.
An indirect sign of a leak may be a hot condenser (grid at the back) only partially or, on the contrary, a cold one, as well as the absence of characteristic gurgling or hissing during operation. Visually, you can notice oily stains at the joints of the tubes or on the floor under the unit, although they may not be present if there are microcracks.
It is impossible to fix a leak and fill the system with freon on your own without special equipment: a vacuum pump, a pressure gauge station and scales. Attempts to simply “add gas” without finding and eliminating the leak will only give a temporary effect, after which the problem will return after a few weeks or months.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Necessary actions |
|---|---|---|
| The compressor is hot, cold no | Freon leak | Call a technician to find the leak and refill |
| Severe freezing of the rear wall | Thermostat malfunction | Replacing the thermostat |
| There is a hum, but the motor does not start | Start relay or compressor | Diagnostics of the electrical circuit |
| The refrigerator turns off, but rarely | Condenser contamination | Cleaning the heat exchanger from dust |
Malfunctions of the compressor and start relay
Themselves motor-compressor can also be the cause of abnormal behavior. If its power has dropped due to inter-turn short circuit of the windings or wear of the piston group, it will not be able to create the necessary pressure for a normal cooling cycle. As a result, the unit will work around the clock, consuming a lot of electricity, but without freezing food.
Often the problem lies not in the motor itself, but in starting relay. This small block is responsible for starting the engine. If the relay contacts are burnt or the mechanism is stuck, the compressor may hum but not start, or start and run without stopping, since the relay does not open the circuit at the right time. Replacing the relay is a simple and inexpensive procedure, often you can do it yourself.
For diagnostics, you need to remove the back cover at the bottom of the refrigerator (where the compressor is located) and inspect the relay. If you hear a click when turning on, followed by a hum, and after a few seconds there is a click and silence again, this is a sign of a malfunction of the starter or the compressor itself. If the motor runs constantly, but heats up excessively, this also indicates a malfunction.
How to check the starting relay yourself?
Remove the relay from the compressor contacts and shake it. If a knock is heard inside (as if from a broken part), it means that the mechanism is damaged and requires replacement. You can also ring the contacts with a multimeter: in normal condition they should ring in a certain position, and when turned over, they should open (for some types of relays).
Freezing and problems with the No Frost system
In refrigerators with the system No Frost (for example, Biryusa 6 or two-chamber models) a frequent cause of continuous operation is a failure in the defrost system. If Defrost heating element, the timer or defrost sensor fails, a “coat” of ice builds up on the evaporator. This ice blocks the circulation of cold air, and the temperature sensor in the chamber does not detect cooling, forcing the compressor to work without interruption.
Visually, this can be manifested by the fact that there is cold in the freezer compartment, and heat in the refrigerator compartment, or the back wall of the refrigerator compartment is covered with an uneven layer of frost. Sometimes ice completely blocks the air channels, and the cold simply does not reach the food.
To confirm the diagnosis, partial disassembly of the freezer chamber is required to inspect the evaporator. If it is covered in ice and the fan does not blow or blows weakly, the problem is in the defrost cycle. A temporary solution may be to completely defrost the refrigerator within 24 hours, but if the defect in the parts is not eliminated, the ice will grow again.
☑️ Diagnostics of the No Frost system
Environmental influence and operating conditions
Do not discount the conditions in which the equipment is operated. If room temperature too high (above +30°C), the Biryusa refrigerator can work almost without stopping, since the heat inflow is too great. This is especially true in the summer or if the unit is in the kitchen next to the stove.
The condition of the condenser (black grille at the back) is also important. If it is clogged with dust, animal hair or dirt, heat transfer deteriorates. The compressor overheats and cannot effectively condense freon, resulting in longer operating times. Regular cleaning of the condenser with a vacuum cleaner or brush is a mandatory maintenance procedure.
⚠️ Attention: Installing the refrigerator in a niche without gaps for ventilation or in an unheated room (where the temperature is below +10°C) may lead to incorrect operation of the thermostat and compressor.
In addition, Frequently opening the door or loading a large amount of warm food causes the cooling system to work harder. In such cases, continuous operation for several hours is a normal reaction to a sharp increase in internal temperature.
Frequently asked questions and answers (FAQ)
How long should a Biryusa refrigerator operate normally?
Under normal conditions, the compressor operating cycle is approximately 15-20 minutes of operation and 20-30 minutes of rest. The ratio of working time to rest time should be approximately 1:1 or 1:2. If the refrigerator works for 40 minutes and rests for 5 minutes, this is a cause for concern.
Is it possible to use the refrigerator if it does not turn off?
Short-term - yes, but long-term ignoring of the problem will lead to overheating and combustion of the compressor, the repair of which is often not economically feasible. In addition, food can spoil or, conversely, freeze.
Why does the new Biryusa refrigerator not turn off for a long time after the first turn on?
When first started or after a long defrosting, the refrigerator takes time (from 2 to 6 hours) to cool the entire internal volume and walls to the set temperature. During this period, continuous operation of the compressor is the normal mode.
What to do if after replacing the thermostat the situation has not changed?
If replacing the thermostat did not help, the problem may be deeper: a freon leak, a clogged capillary tube, or a malfunction of the compressor itself. A more in-depth diagnosis is required with the participation of a specialist and special tools.