The situation when a refrigerator Atlant works continuously without taking proper rest breaks is familiar to many owners of this equipment. The humming of the motor can last for hours, and sometimes even days, which immediately raises alarm: whether the unit has completely broken down or whether it will burn out from overload. Constant operation of the compressor is a sure sign that the control or cooling system has failed and cannot achieve the set temperature parameters.
Owners often notice that the equipment hums non-stop, especially after defrosting or loading a large amount of warm food. However, if the operating mode does not return to normal within 10-12 hours, we are talking about a technical malfunction. Ignoring the problem can lead to complete failure of an expensive unit, which is the heart of the refrigeration unit.
There are a number of typical reasons why the refrigerator stops turning off, and most of them can be diagnosed independently at the initial stage. Understanding the operating principles of the thermostat and heat removal system will help you quickly navigate the situation. In this article, we will analyze in detail the mechanical and electrical causes of the failure, and also determine when you can cope on your own, and when you need to call a technician.
Violation of operating rules and external factorsBefore you panic and look for a breakdown inside the case, it is worth eliminating trivial errors in use technology. Often the reason the compressor does not turn offlies in environmental conditions or user actions. If the refrigerator is installed too close to a wall, radiators, or in direct sunlight, heat transfer is impaired. The motor-compressor is forced to work in increased mode, trying to compensate for external heating.
Another common reason is the door not fitting tightly to the body. If the rubber seal is worn out, dirty or deformed, warm air from the room constantly enters the chamber. Sensors detect an increase in temperature and give a command to cool, creating a closed cycle. It is also worth checking whether the door is blocked by foreign objects or products, which prevents it from closing tightly.
⚠️ Attention: If you have recently loaded a large amount of warm food into the chambers, continuous operation of the compressor for 10-12 hours is normal. The system simply tries to cool the new volume to the specified parameters.
Check the location of the unit and the condition of the seals. Make sure that the gap between the back of the refrigerator and the wall is at least 5-7 centimeters for free air circulation. If the equipment is in a draft or in an unheated room at a temperature below +10°C, this can also cause malfunctions of thermostat and electronics.
Malfunctions of the thermostat (thermostat)One of the most common reasons why Atlant refrigerator does not turn offis the failure of the thermostat. This small device is responsible for monitoring the temperature inside the chambers and sending a signal to turn off the compressor when the set values are reached. If the contacts inside the thermostat “stick” in the closed position, the electrical circuit does not break and the motor continues to work indefinitely.
In models with mechanical control, the thermostat is a device with a capillary tube that senses temperature changes. Over time, the mechanism can wear out, the spring weakens, or the tube moves out of place. In electronic models, the role of a thermostat is played by a temperature sensor, which can transmit incorrect data to the control module, causing the system to think that the chamber is warm.
To diagnose a mechanical thermostat, you often have to remove it and check the resistance of the contacts with a multimeter at different temperatures. If you find that the contacts do not open even when the sensor is very cold (for example, when placing it in a freezer), then the part requires replacement. In electronic systems, diagnostics are more complicated and require checking the power circuits and the resistance of the sensor itself.
⚠️ Attention: Replacing the thermostat in Atlant refrigerators often requires partial defrosting and removing the back panel in the refrigerator compartment. Be careful with the capillary tube - its damage will lead to freon leakage.
Refrigerant leakage and problems with the circulation systemIf the refrigerator runs non-stop, but the temperature inside the chambers does not drop to the required values (or the products begin to deteriorate), there is a high probability of refrigerant leakage. Freon is the working fluid of the system, and if there is a shortage of it, the compressor simply cannot create the necessary pressure and cold. It will hum continuously, trying to compensate for the loss of efficiency, but will not achieve the desired result.
A leak can occur anywhere in the circuit: in the foamed parts of the case, in the evaporator or in the condenser on the back wall. Microcracks often form due to metal corrosion or mechanical damage due to careless defrosting (if you picked the ice with a knife). Signs of a leak can also include swelling of the side walls of the refrigerator or the appearance of oily spots where the tubes are damaged.
Another problem associated with circulation is a clogged capillary tube. If a plug has formed in the system from oil or moisture oxidation products, freon cannot circulate freely. The compressor is working hard, trying to push the refrigerant through the obstacle. In this case, a specific gurgling sound is often heard or, conversely, deathly silence after an attempt to start.
How does a technician look for a leak?
Specialists use leak detectors or the method of painting the system. First, the tightness of the circuit is checked, then, if a leak is found in the foamed part, it is often necessary to install an external evaporator (“crying evaporator”) instead of the built-in one.
Failures of the control module and electronicsIn modern models Atlant with the No Frost system and electronic control, all processes are responsible single control module. If moisture gets on the board, power surges occur in the network, or radio elements simply wear out, the “brains” of the refrigerator can go crazy. In this state, the module may not send a signal to turn off the compressor, even if the temperature sensors regularly report that cold has reached.
Symptoms of electronics failure are often not only continuous operation of the motor, but also chaotic blinking of indicators, errors on the display or complete lack of response to buttons. Sometimes the problem lies not in the board itself, but in the oxidized contacts of the cables connecting the module with the sensors and the compressor. Moisture condensing inside the housing often causes short circuits in control circuits.
Module diagnostics require special knowledge and equipment. The technician must “ring” the circuits, check the output voltages and, if necessary, resolder the burnt elements or replace the entire board. Self-repair of electronics without a circuit diagram and experience can lead to the final failure of the equipment.
Problems with the motor-compressor and start relayThe most expensive and serious reason is a malfunction itself motor-compressor. Over time, the motor windings may burn out, the piston group may wear out, or an interturn short circuit may occur. In such cases, the compressor may hum, but not develop the required power, or work continuously, without creating sufficient pressure in the system.
Often, the starting relay fails along with the compressor. This device is responsible for starting the engine. If the relay contacts become burnt or stuck, it may not open the circuit after starting, leaving the starting winding energized, causing overheating and continuous operation. Sometimes the relay simply clicks, trying to start the motor, but cannot do so.
To check the compressor, the technician measures the resistance of the windings and checks the current consumption. If the current is significantly higher than the rated current, and there is no pressure in the system, the compressor is most likely “dead”. Replacing a compressor is a complex procedure that requires evacuation of the system and charging with freon, which cannot be done without special equipment at home.
☑️ Compressor diagnostics
Specifics of two-compressor Atlant modelsIn two-compressor models Atlant the situation can be even more confusing, since different motors are responsible for the refrigerator and freezer compartments. If only one of them hums continuously, the problem is localized in the corresponding circuit. For example, if the freezer compressor does not turn off, it means that the thermostat is leaking or broken in this compartment.
It is important to understand that in such models each circuit is independent. The failure of one compressor does not necessarily mean the failure of the second, although they may be connected by a common control system (in electronic models). If you hear that both motors are humming at once and do not turn off, this may indicate a global problem with the control module or a critical loss of tightness of both circuits (which is rare).
When diagnosing two-compressor systems, it is important not to confuse the tubes and sensors. Thermoregulator in such