The situation when Biryusa refrigerator continues to work in the main compartment, but freezer stops freezing food, is one of the most common and alarming for owners of this equipment. You open the door, and there is defrosted meat or melting ice, although the compressor is humming and the light is on. This indicates a violation of the refrigerant circulation or failures in the control system that cannot be ignored.
Before calling a technician, it is necessary to carry out an initial diagnosis, since in 30% of cases the problem lies in simple things: from an incorrectly set temperature mode until banal icing of the evaporator due to a loosely closed door. In this article, we will analyze in detail the troubleshooting algorithm specific to Siberian-made units and explain how to distinguish a software failure from a serious compressor breakdown.
Please note that modern models, such as Biryusa 133 KH or Biryusa 6, are equipped with complex electronics that can block the operation of the freezer when a freon leak is detected. Trying to “cure” the equipment by simply defrosting it for a day sometimes helps, but if the reason is deeper, you risk losing all your food supplies. Let's look at the main reasons in order.
Violation of operating and defrosting rules
Often the owners themselves provoke a breakdown, ignoring the basic rules for caring for equipment. If you haven't done it for a long time complete defrosting, an ice shell could have formed on the evaporator, which physically blocks the heat removal. In systems No Frost this leads to clogging of drainage channels, and in drip models - to disruption of heat transfer.
In addition, frequent opening of the door or its loose fit causes the compressor to work hard, trying to compensate for the loss of cold. At some point, the protection system may turn off the evaporator heating or, conversely, freeze the control circuit. It is also worth checking whether the chamber is loaded to capacity with products, which is blocking air circulation.
⚠️ Attention: Never try to chip ice with a knife or other sharp objects. Damage to the evaporator tubes will lead to an immediate release of freon and expensive repairs, which are often not economically feasible.
It is also important to consider the location of the equipment. If Biryusa refrigerator stands close to a wall or near a battery, the efficiency of the capacitor decreases. This is especially critical in the summer when the ambient temperature is high. In such conditions, the freezer may simply not have time to gain the required minus, even if the unit is working properly.
Faults of the defrosting system (for No Frost models)
In models with the system No Frost, such as the popular one Turk 135, a special defrosting heating element is responsible for removing ice. If this element burns out, ice builds up on the evaporator, blocking the cold air supply channels into the chamber. As a result, the fan moves air, but there is no cold, or there is some, but it is very weak.
The second important element is defrost sensor. It controls the temperature of the evaporator and gives a command to turn on the heater. If the sensor “lies” or shorts, the defrost cycle either does not start at all or occurs too often, preventing the freezer from reaching operating mode. The third component is a timer or an electronic control module that coordinates these processes.
Diagnostics of these components requires testing with a multimeter. It is often impossible to visually identify a burnt heating element, since it is hidden behind a plastic panel inside the freezer. However, an indirect sign is that after defrosting for 24 hours, the refrigerator begins to freeze, but after a week the problem returns.
How to check the defrosting heating element?
To check, you need to remove the back panel in the freezer, get to the heating element and ring it with a multimeter in resistance measurement mode. If the resistance is infinitely high, the heating element is burnt out and requires replacement. Be careful not to damage the wiring when dismantling.
Problems with the compressor and start relay
The heart of any refrigerator is compressor. If it works but doesn't create enough pressure, the freezer stops cooling. This may be due to interturn short circuit of the windings or mechanical wear of the piston group. In such cases, the engine may hum, but not start, or start and immediately stall.
Often the culprit of the stop is starting relay. This small element is responsible for starting the engine. If it burns out, the compressor will not be able to start and you will only hear a quiet click followed by silence. Replacing a relay is one of the simplest and cheapest procedures, which you can do yourself by selecting an analogue according to the marking.
It is also worth paying attention to the operation of the capacitor (grid at the back). If it is barely warm or cold when the compressor is running, this is a sure sign of a lack of freon circulation or low performance of the compressor itself. If the grill is red-hot, this indicates contamination or a malfunction in the system.
Refrigerant leak and capillary blockage
One of the most unpleasant reasons why it does not freeze Biryusa refrigeratoris a freon leak. The refrigerant can escape through microcracks in the foamed part of the housing or through solder joints. The symptom is that the compressor works almost non-stop, trying to catch up with the temperature, but the freezer is barely cold or warm.
The second option is clogging of the capillary tube. An ice or oil jam could form in the circulation system, which physically prevents freon from entering the freezer evaporator. In this case, the pressure in the system increases sharply, and the cooling capacity drops to zero. Often, when there is a blockage, you can hear gurgling or periodic clicks.
Diagnosing a leak or blockage at home is extremely difficult and often impossible without special equipment (leak detector, pressure gauge station). Attempts to simply “add freon” without finding and eliminating the leak will only give a temporary effect for a couple of weeks.
☑️ Primary diagnosis of leakage
Failures in the electronic control module
Modern models, for example Biryusa 8 or Biryusa 14, are controlled by an electronic unit. If the elements responsible for powering the valve or compressor are burned out on the control board, the freezer will no longer receive cooling commands. This often happens during power surges in the network.
Sometimes the problem is solved by a simple resetting the settings (reset). To do this, you need to unplug the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes. If, after turning on, the system does not work correctly again, most likely the module will need to be re-flashed or the entire board replaced. Electronics are sensitive to humidity, so check that water does not get on the board during defrosting.
It is worth noting that in some models, if one of the sensors (for example, the temperature sensor in the freezer) malfunctions, the control module can go into emergency mode, turning off the compressor to prevent overload. In this case, the alarm indicator may light up on the display (if there is one).
⚠️ Attention: The characteristics and location of the electronic boards may vary depending on the year of manufacture and the specific modification of the refrigerator. Before ordering spare parts, check the board markings with the documentation or the original.
Table: Main symptoms and probable causes
For ease of diagnosis, we have systematized the main symptoms of malfunctions in the table below. This will help you quickly navigate the problem.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Difficulty of repair |
|---|---|---|
| The compressor hums, but does not start | Faulty start relay or compressor | Low / High |
| The refrigerator runs non-stop | Freon leak or capillary blockage | High (requires a technician) |
| There is a coat of ice in the freezer, but there is no cold | The defrosting system (heating element, sensor) is faulty | Medium |
| Alarm indicator is on, the freezer is warm | Electronics failure or temperature sensor | Medium / High |
| Gurgling is heard, there is no cold | The system is clogged or aired | High |
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Why does the No Frost system often break down in Biryusa refrigerators?
The main reason is the quality of the build and components in budget models. Defrost heating elements and sensors may fail due to voltage fluctuations or natural wear. The human factor also plays a role: rare defrosting and loading of hot products accelerates wear and tear on the system.
Is it possible to operate a refrigerator if the freezer is not working?
For a short time - yes, if the main compartment is working. However, continuous operation with a faulty compressor or freon leak can lead to complete failure of the unit. In addition, products in the main compartment may begin to deteriorate faster due to a violation of the overall temperature balance.
How much does it cost to replace a compressor on Biryusa?
The cost consists of the price of a new compressor (from 4 to 8 thousand rubles, depending on the model) and the cost of the work of a technician (filling with freon, soldering, replacement). As a result, repairs can cost 60-70% of the cost of a new refrigerator, which must be taken into account when making a decision.
How to extend the life of the Biryusa freezer?
Defrost the unit regularly (at least once a year), keep the condenser clean at the back, do not place the refrigerator close to the wall and do not load hot foods into the chamber. It is also recommended to use a voltage stabilizer if there are surges in your network.