The situation when the refrigerator Pozis works without interruption, without going into standby mode, is a serious signal of a malfunction. During normal operation, the unit should be switched off periodically, allowing the compressor to cool down and saving energy. If the motor hums for days on end, this leads to rapid wear of components and a significant increase in electricity bills.
The main reason lies in the imbalance of heat balance or failures in the control system. Thermoregulator it may not give a signal to stop, or the refrigerant has lost its properties due to leaks. Mechanical jamming of parts or a software failure in the electronic control modules of new models is also possible.
You should not ignore this symptom, hoping for the problem to resolve itself. Long-term operation at the limit of capabilities often ends in overheating of the motor windings or failure of the start-up relay. Timely diagnostics will help avoid costly replacement of the compressor.
Malfunctions of the thermostat and temperature sensors
The most common culprit for continuous operation in older mechanically controlled models is thermostat. This element is responsible for opening the compressor power circuit when the set temperature is reached. If the contacts inside it stick or the sensitive tube fails, the circuit does not break and the motor continues to pump freon.
In models with a system No Frost and electronic control, sensors (thermistors) are responsible for the temperature. If they break or oxidize the contacts on the control board, incorrect data about the thermal conditions in the cameras may be received. The control unit “thinks” that the freezer is warm and does not give a command to stop.
⚠️ Attention: Trying to replace the thermostat yourself without accurate calibration may lead to the refrigerator stopping freezing or, conversely, freezing food in the main chamber.
Diagnostics of the thermostat often requires checking the contacts multimeter. In mechanical devices, the thermostat tube must be pressed tightly against the evaporator. If it has shifted or a “snow coat” has formed in the chamber, the sensor does not read the real temperature.
How to check the thermostat without tools?
Dip the thermostat tube (removed from the refrigerator) into a container of cold water. If there is no click after a few minutes, and the contacts are closed, the device is faulty.
Refrigerant leakage and failure of the circuit tightness
If the refrigerator Position hums, but does not reach the desired temperature, there is a high probability of a freon leak. When the amount of refrigerant in the system decreases, the pressure drops, and the compressor is forced to work in increased mode, trying to compensate for the lack of cooling capacity.
Leaks often occur in places where tubes are soldered, in the foamed part of the housing or through microcracks in the evaporator. Visually, this can be noticed by swelling of the rear wall or the appearance of oily spots at the joints. Freon itself is colorless and odorless, so its loss often goes unnoticed until serious problems arise.
It is important to understand that you cannot simply “add” gas to the system. It is necessary to find the location of the leak, eliminate it, and only after evacuation of the system refill with a new volume of refrigerant.
Problems with seals doors and heat exchange
The constant flow of warm air from the room makes the unit work without stopping. The main barrier to heat is sealing rubber along the perimeter of the door. Over time, it dries out, cracks or deforms, forming gaps.
You can check the tightness in a simple way: clamp a sheet of paper between the door and the body around the entire perimeter. If the paper falls out or is pulled out without resistance, the seal is not tight. The reason may also be that the door is skewed due to worn hinges.
In addition, heat transfer is disrupted if the refrigerator is installed too close to the wall or radiators. The radiator on the rear wall should be freely washed by air. If operation is difficult, operating efficiency drops and the cooling cycle does not complete.
Failures in the operation of the compressor and start relay
The compressor is the “heart” of the refrigerator Pozis. If it is worn out, its performance decreases. The motor may be running, but not creating enough pressure in the system to shut down normally. Also, the start-protection relaywhich controls the engine start often fails.
If the relay is faulty, the compressor may hum, but not start, or it may start and work continuously, since the protection does not operate on time. In some cases, the relay simply “sticks” in the “on” position.
Symptoms of problems with the compressor are often accompanied by overheating of the motor housing. If you touch it (carefully, it may be hot) and it is hot, but the refrigerator does not turn off, this is a sign of overload or mechanical wear of the piston group.
☑️ Primary diagnostics of the compressor
Influence of the environment and operating mode
Sometimes the reason lies not in the breakdown, but in the operating conditions. If the refrigerator Posis is installed in a kitchen where the air temperature exceeds +30°C, the standard cooling system may not cope. The unit will work almost without interruption, trying to maintain the cold inside.
Loading a large volume of warm products also requires long-term operation at full power. However, in this case, after a few hours the temperature should level out, and the motor should turn off. If this does not happen, then there is a hidden malfunction.
An incorrectly set operating mode (for example, the “Super Freeze” or “Maximum Cold” function is turned on) forcibly keeps the compressor turned on. In older models, you need to manually turn off this function, in new ones, it turns off automatically after a certain time.
Diagnostic table of main symptoms
For the convenience of identifying the problem, it is recommended to compare the symptoms of your situation with the data in the table below. This will help narrow down the troubleshooting before calling a technician.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Difficulty of repair |
|---|---|---|
| Motor hums, no cold | Leakage freon, clogged capillary | High (needs a technician) |
| Works continuously, freezes poorly | Compressor wear, leakage | High |
| Does not turn off, but freezes a lot | Thermostat/sensor is faulty | Medium (you can do it yourself) |
| Buzzes, clicks and turns off | Faulty start relay | Low (part replacement) |
| Works for a long time with the door open | The seal is damaged | Low (rubber replacement) |
When you need to call a specialist
There are a number of situations when self-repair not only will not help, but can also aggravate the situation. If you do not have the skills to work with power tools and a multimeter, it is better not to take risks. This is especially true for work related to a sealed circuit.
Calling a technician is required if you suspect a freon leak. This requires special equipment: a vacuum pump, a pressure gauge station and scales for precise filling. Simply “filling up” the gas without eliminating the cause of the leak is money down the drain.
⚠️ Attention: Opening the foamed part of the housing to look for a leak in the evaporator is often not economically feasible. In such cases, the technician may suggest installing an external evaporator (“crying” on the back wall), which will change the appearance of the refrigerator.
Professional help is also needed when replacing the compressor. This process requires soldering copper tubing in a nitrogen protective environment to avoid oxidation within the system. Regular solder without nitrogen will lead to rapid failure of the new motor.
Is it worth repairing the old Pozis?
Repair is advisable if the cost of work and spare parts does not exceed 50% of the cost of a new similar refrigerator. For models older than 10-12 years, it is often more profitable to buy new equipment with a guarantee and energy efficiency class A+.
Prevention and extension of service life
To avoid situations when the refrigerator Posis stops turning off, it is important to follow the operating rules. Defrost the unit regularly (if it is not No Frost), even if ice freezing seems insignificant. The ice crust acts as a heat insulator, interfering with effective heat transfer.
Keep the condenser (grids at the back) clean. Dust and pet hair accumulated between the coils will drastically reduce cooling efficiency. You need to clean it with a soft brush or vacuum cleaner at least once every six months.
Do not load hot foods into the chamber. This places a huge load on the compressor and can lead to overheating and subsequent continuous operation. Allow food to cool to room temperature before refrigerating.
To summarize, we can say that continuous operation of the refrigerator is always a signal of an imbalance in the system. Whether it is a simple adjustment of the thermostat or a complex sealing of the circuit, ignoring the problem leads to complete failure of the equipment.
Is it possible to leave the refrigerator operating in this mode overnight?
It is strictly not recommended. Long-term operation without stopping will lead to overheating of the compressor, melting of the wiring or start relay. This creates a risk of fire or permanent motor failure, the repair of which will be very expensive.
Why does the refrigerator turn on immediately after being turned off?
This is called a “short cycle”. The reasons may be a malfunction of the thermostat (it does not feel that the cold has already been reached), a freon leak (the temperature does not drop) or overheating of the motor (the thermal relay quickly responds to protection, but after cooling it turns on the compressor again).
Does the amount of food in the chamber affect the operating time?
Yes, a full refrigerator keeps the cold longer and less often