The situation when a brand refrigerator Atlant suddenly stops freezing always causes panic, because food supplies are at risk. Most often, the owner notices a problem when food in the freezer begins to melt, and in the main chamber the temperature rises above normal. This can happen gradually or happen all at once, but such a symptom cannot be ignored, since it indicates a serious malfunction in the system.
Before calling a technician, it is necessary to carry out an initial diagnosis to eliminate trivial operating errors or minor malfunctions. If your refrigerator Atlant stops freezing, the reason may lie either in improper installation of the unit or in the failure of expensive components such as a compressor or thermostat. Understanding the design of your model will help you quickly localize the problem.
In this article we will analyze in detail the main causes of freezer failure, consider error codes for two-compressor and single-compressor models, and also discuss methods for troubleshooting yourself. It is important to act consistently so as not to aggravate the situation and accurately determine whether professional repairs are required.
Primary diagnosis and external factors
The first step is to check the obvious things that are often overlooked. If the refrigerator Atlant stops freezing, make sure that it is connected to a working outlet and the voltage is stable. Frequent power surges could trigger protective mechanisms or damage electronics. Also check whether the circuit breaker in the panel has tripped.
Particular attention should be paid to the tightness of the door. If the sealing rubber is worn out, dirty or deformed, warm air constantly enters the chamber. The compressor may work without interruption, trying to compensate for the heat flow, but fail to cope with the task, which gives the impression that the refrigerator is not freezing. Tightness of the circuit is a basic condition for correct operation.
Check the position of the thermostat. Perhaps one of the household members accidentally moved the handle to the “minimum” position or the “Vacation” mode. In some models Atlant with electronic control, a software failure may have occurred, which can be solved by rebooting the device.
⚠️ Attention: If you notice that the back wall of the refrigerator is covered with a thick layer of ice, and the food does not freeze, the defrost cycle may be broken. Do not try to chip the ice with a knife - this can damage the evaporator and leak freon.
Problems with the thermostat and temperature sensors
One of the most common reasons why a refrigerator Atlant stops freezing is a malfunction of the thermostat (thermostat). This element is responsible for turning the compressor on and off depending on the temperature inside the chambers. If the thermostat is out of order and “stuck” in the open state, it simply does not send a signal to start the engine.
In models with electronic control, the role of a mechanical regulator is performed temperature sensors. There may be several of them: in the freezer, in the refrigerator compartment, on the evaporator. If one of the sensors sends incorrect data to the control module, the system may “think” that the cold is sufficient and not start the compressor. Replacing the sensor is a relatively simple procedure, but requires testing with a multimeter.
To check the mechanical thermostat in models like Atlant 400 or MHM 2808 you can temporarily close the contacts suitable to it. If after this the compressor starts, then the problem is in the regulator. However, it should be remembered that operating a refrigerator without a thermostat is only possible for a short time for diagnostic purposes, since the unit will work non-stop.
- 🔌 Check the integrity of the wires going to the thermostat or sensor.
- 🌡️ Make sure that the capillary tube of the thermostat is not damaged and fits tightly to the evaporator.
- 🔧 When replacing the thermostat, use a model with the same marking, since the temperature response range for different modifications is different.
It is important to consider that in some modern models Atlant with the No Frost system, the sensors are built into a plastic case and hidden from direct access. Their diagnosis requires partial disassembly of the internal panel.
Faults of the compressor and start relay
The heart of any refrigerator is the compressor. If Atlant it stops freezing and there is absolute silence (no engine hum), the problem may lie in the starting relay or the motor itself. The start relay is a small plastic block that is attached to the side of the compressor. It is this that provides the initial impulse to start the engine.
If the starting relay fails, the compressor may try to start, make a click, hum for a few seconds and turn off again. This phenomenon is called "thermal protection". If the relay is not replaced in time, the compressor may burn out due to overheating of the windings. In more rare cases, the the electric motor may itself have an interturn short circuit.
For diagnostics, you need to remove the back cover at the bottom of the refrigerator (in the area of the engine compartment). Visually inspect the relay for blackening or melting. If the appearance is normal, the relay needs to be “ringed” with a tester. The resistance of the compressor windings is also checked with a multimeter: there should be a certain resistance between the contacts, and infinity between the case and the contacts (there should be no breakdown to the case).
| Symptom | Probable cause | Required action |
|---|---|---|
| Silence, no response to switching on | Thermostat malfunction or open circuit | Checking contacts and replacing the thermostat |
| Clicks, buzzing for 5-10 seconds, shutdown | Starter fault relay or compressor | Replacing the start relay, checking the windings |
| The compressor is hot, but does not start | Thermal relay is activated or the compressor wedge | Allow to cool, try to start through PZR |
| There is a humming sound, there is no cold | Freon leak or capillary blockage | Call a technician to find a leak |
If you find that the compressor is working, but does not create the required pressure, or it has heated up to critical temperatures, independent repairs are not recommended here. Replacing the compressor requires evacuation of the system and charging with refrigerant, which is impossible without special tools.
☑️ Diagnostics of the compressor compartment
Refrigerant leak and system blockage
If the compressor runs continuously (buzzes without stopping), but the refrigerator Atlant stops freezing or freezes very weakly, it is highly likely that Freon leakage or a blockage has formed in the capillary tube. The refrigerant is the working fluid that circulates through the system, picking up heat. Without it, the cooling process is physically impossible.
Leaks often occur in places where tubes are soldered, in the foamed part of the body (where the tubes are mounted into the walls) or in the evaporator. It is difficult to visually notice a leak, since freon is colorless and odorless. An indirect sign may be swelling of the rear wall inside the refrigerator compartment or the appearance of oily spots near the pipes of the engine compartment.
Clogged capillary tube usually occurs due to moisture in the system or oil breakdown products. In this case, the compressor works with increased load, the condenser (grid at the back) can only be partially hot, and the evaporator in the freezer can only be cold at the entrance. Diaphragm effect When clogged, it creates a characteristic sound of gurgling or intermittent flow of liquid.
⚠️ Attempts to add freon yourself without finding and eliminating the leak will only lead to a temporary result. After a few days or weeks, the gas will go away again, and the compressor may fail due to running on the wrong refrigerant or oil.
Fixing a leak or blockage requires calling a technician with specialized equipment: a leak detector, a vacuum pump and a filling station. The technician will determine the location of the leak, solder it (or resolder the circuit) and fill the system with the exact amount of refrigerant indicated on the tag of your Atlanta.
What types of freon are used in Atlanta?
In older models, R12 was used, in more modern ones (up to 2010s) - R134a. New models may contain R600a (isobutane). Important: R600a is explosive and should only be handled by certified personnel in well-ventilated areas. It is impossible to confuse the types of freon and oil!
Failures in the No Frost and defrost system
Owners of refrigerators Atlant with the system No Frost often face a situation when the fan is humming, but the cold does not enter the chambers, or the freezer is working, and the refrigerator compartment is warm. The main reason is freezing of the evaporator and air supply channels. This occurs due to a malfunction of the defrost system.
The defrost system consists of a heating element (heater), a defrost sensor and a timer (or electronic module). If the heating element is burnt out or the sensor is “lying,” the ice on the evaporator does not melt during the compressor pause. Over time, the ice coat grows, blocks the channels, and the fan stops driving out cold air. This can be seen visually by disassembling the back panel in the freezer.
It is also worth checking the evaporator fan. If its impeller is frozen with ice or the fan motor itself fails, there will be no air circulation. In some models Atlant if the fan malfunctions, the compressor may not start due to blocking by the control module.
- ❄️ Complete defrosting of the refrigerator within 24 hours often helps to temporarily solve the problem if the cause is ice freezing.
- 🔥 Checking the defrost heating element is carried out with a multimeter: the resistance should be within normal limits (usually several hundred Ohms), a break indicates a malfunction.
- 📟 In models with electronics, a malfunction of the defrost sensor is often displayed on the display in the form of an error code (for example, F4, F5).
If, after complete defrosting, the refrigerator starts freeze, but after 1-2 weeks the problem recurred, which means that an element of the defrosting system (heating element, sensor or timer) requires replacement.
Electronic faults and error codes
Modern refrigerators Atlant are equipped with electronic control modules that control all processes. If the unit stops freezing, pay attention to the indicators on the front panel. Flashing lights or the appearance of alphanumeric codes (for example, F1, F2, F3) is a direct signal of a specific malfunction.
The interpretation of error codes may vary depending on the series of the refrigerator, but usually F1-F3 relate to temperature sensors, F4-F6 to the defrost system, and other codes may indicate problems with the module or communication between boards. The presence of an error code greatly simplifies diagnostics, as it narrows the search to a specific node.
Sometimes a failure in electronics is temporary. In this case, a full reset may help. To do this, the refrigerator must be disconnected from the network