The situation when the refrigerator Biryusa suddenly stops freezing always catches taken by surprise. Products begin to deteriorate, and water appears on the shelves or, conversely, everything turns into a block of ice. Owners of equipment often encounter the fact that the unit hums, but does not produce cold, or the compressor is completely silent. This can be caused either by a banal malfunction of the electronics or by a serious mechanical breakdown.
Before calling a technician or looking for a new unit, it is necessary to carry out an initial diagnosis. Incorrect temperature setting or a failure in the defrosting system is a common culprit of the problem, which you can fix yourself. However, if we are talking about a refrigerant leak or failure of the compressor motor, you cannot do without the intervention of specialists and special tools.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the possible reasons for the lack of cold in refrigerators Biryusa. You will learn how to distinguish a simple failure from a complex breakdown, which components to check first and whether it is worth repairing the device yourself. Complete loss of cold when the compressor is running in 80% of cases indicates a freon leak or a clogged capillary system.
Primary diagnosis: we check simple reasons
Often the reason that the refrigerator does not freezelies in basic things that do not require disassembling the unit. First of all, you should make sure that the equipment is connected to the network properly. Check if the power indicator is on and if you can hear the sound of the motor running. Sometimes the problem lies in poor contact of the plug with the socket or a power surge that knocked out the machine.
The second important aspect is the correct placement of food and operating mode. If you just loaded a large pot of hot soup into the chamber or defrosted the unit and did not allow it to cool, compressor it may not be able to cope with the load. It is also worth checking whether the door is pressed by foreign objects, since the constant flow of warm air will not allow you to reach the desired temperature.
⚠️ Attention: If you notice that the back wall of the refrigerator compartment is covered with a thick layer of ice (“coat”), and in the freezer, on the contrary, it is warm, this a clear sign of a malfunction of the defrost system, and not a lack of freon.
Don't forget to check the thermostat settings. In models with electronic control, a malfunction could occur and the temperature could drop to minimum values. In mechanical models, the handle could accidentally move. Make sure that the mode is Normal or 2-3, and not minimum cooling.
Faults in the defrosting system and sensors
Modern models Biryusa equipped with a No Frost system or drip defrosting. If a refrigerator with one of these types of cooling stops freezing, the culprit is often the defrost sensor. When these elements fail, the evaporator becomes coated with ice, which blocks the circulation of cold air. As a result, the chambers become warm, although the compressor can operate continuously. Defrost heating element or defrost sensor. When these elements fail, the evaporator becomes coated with ice, which blocks the circulation of cold air. As a result, the chambers become warm, although the compressor can run continuously.
The temperature sensor also plays a key role. If it “lies” and sends incorrect signals to the control module, the refrigerator may “think” that it is already cold enough inside and not turn on the compressor. Or, on the contrary, do not give a command for defrosting, which leads to the formation of an ice plug in the air channels.
- ❄️ The defrosting heating element: the spiral burns out, the ice on the evaporator does not melt, the access of air is blocked.
- 🌡️ Defrost sensor: does not record the required temperature to turn on the heating or stop Heating element.
- 🕰️ Timer or board: does not send a signal to start the defrost cycle at the right time.
To check these elements, a multimeter is required. It is necessary to “ring” the heating element for resistance (it should be within normal limits, usually several hundred Ohms) and check the sensor. If the heating element shows a break, it must be replaced. This is a procedure of medium complexity, requiring defrosting and partial disassembly of the freezer.
How to check the heating element with a multimeter?
Switch the multimeter to resistance measurement mode (Ohm). Unplug the refrigerator. Remove the back panel of the freezer and locate the heating element (usually a curved tube or open coil under the evaporator). Touch the probes to the contacts of the heating element. If the screen shows “1” or “OL” - the circuit is open, the heating element is faulty. If it shows a value (for example, 200-400 Ohm) - the heating element is intact.
Problems with the compressor and start relay
The heart of the refrigerator is motor-compressor. If it doesn't start, there won't be any cold anywhere. It often happens like this: you hear a click, a hum lasts a few seconds, then another click and silence. This is a classic symptom of a faulty start relay or compressor itself. A relay is a small plastic block that fits onto the motor contacts.
Inside the relay there is a coil and a posistor, which can burn out or stick over time. In this case, the compressor receives power, tries to start, hums, but cannot turn the shaft, after which the protection turns it off. Replacing the relay is the simplest and cheapest repair procedure, which you can do yourself by simply purchasing a similar part.
However, if after replacing the relay the situation has not changed, or the compressor is completely silent (there is not even a hum), the problem may be more serious. Possible options:
- 🔌 Winding break: the wiring inside the motor has burned out, the compressor needs to be replaced.
- 🔥 Interturn short circuit: the compressor hums, gets very hot and is quickly turned off by the thermal relay.
- ⚡ Failure of the control module: the board does not supply voltage to start the motor.
⚠️ Attention: If the compressor runs constantly, without turning off for hours, but there is not enough cold, this is a sign of freon leakage or loss of performance (valve wear). You cannot operate the equipment in this mode for a long time, the motor will burn out.
Freon leakage and capillary system blockage
The refrigerant (freon) circulates in a closed circuit. If a microcrack appears in the system, the gas gradually evaporates. Freon leakage is one of the most common reasons why the refrigerator Biryusa stops freezing. This can be determined by indirect signs: the compressor works without stopping, the condenser (grid at the back) is only partially warm or cold, and the chambers are warm.
Clogged capillary tube is the second most popular reason in this group. Oil circulates in the system, which over time can thicken or mix with wear debris, forming a plug in the narrow part of the tube. Freon cannot circulate, the pressure does not drop, the evaporator does not cool. Often, when clogged, you can hear gurgling or see that the filter drier is covered with frost.
Diagnosis of these problems requires professional equipment (pressure gauge station, leak detector). Finding a leak on your own or breaking through a blockage is almost impossible without breaking the seal and subsequent vacuumization.
Table of symptoms and probable malfunctions
To make it easier for you to navigate the nature of the breakdown, we have compiled a summary table. It will help compare the behavior of your unit Biryusa with the most likely technical problems.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Difficulty of repair |
|---|---|---|
| The compressor is silent, there is no light | No power, the socket is burned out, the cord is faulty | Low |
| Buzzes for 5-10 seconds, clicks and is silent | Start relay, jammed compressor | Average |
| Works constantly, no cold | Freon leak, blockage, loss of tightness | High |
| The freezer freezes, there is no refrigerator | Fan malfunction, clogged channels, heating element | Medium |
| It is very cold, food freezes | Thermostat or temperature sensor is faulty | Medium |
As can be seen from the table, the symptoms may be similar, but the reasons are radically different. For example, the lack of cold in the main chamber when the freezer is running often indicates a problem with air circulation (fan or icing of the ducts), and not a lack of freon.
DIY Repair or call a specialist?
Decision on whether to repair the refrigerator Biryusa independently, depends on the type of fault. Any person with a minimum set of tools can replace a light bulb, defrost a unit, clean a drain hole, or replace a start relay. These actions do not require special knowledge and do not carry high risks.
However, if we are talking about “heavy artillery” - filling with freon, replacing a compressor, sealing pipelines - here you cannot do without a master. For these works you need:
- 🛠️ Specialized tools (burner, vacuum pump, pressure gauges).
- 💨 Consumables (freon, oil, solder, nitrogen).
- 🎓 Experience and skills in working with high pressure and fire.
An attempt to replace the compressor yourself without vacuuming the system will result in moisture and air remaining in the tubes. This is guaranteed to kill the new motor after a few months of operation. In addition, improper disposal of old refrigerant is harmful to the environment.
⚠️ Attention: Opening the sealed circuit of the refrigerator on your own will void your warranty (if it is still valid) and will require subsequent professional refilling. It’s cheaper to call a technician right away.
☑️ Checklist before calling a technician
Prevention and care of the Biryusa refrigerator
In order Biryusa refrigerator to serve for a long time and not stop freezing at the wrong moment, it is important to follow the operating rules. Regular defrosting (even for the No Frost system is recommended once a year) helps to avoid the formation of ice jams. Keep the condenser clean at the back: dust and animal hair impair heat transfer, causing the motor to wear out.
Do not put hot foods inside and do not overcrowd the chambers. Air circulation must be free. Also check the rubber seals on the doors: if they do not fit tightly, the compressor will work in increased mode, trying to compensate for the loss of cold, which leads to its premature failure.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the Biryusa refrigerator freeze but does not turn off?
This may be a sign of a freon leak when the motor power is not enough to reach the set temperature. The reason may also be a stuck thermostat or incorrect temperature setting. If the compressor is hot to the touch and runs continuously, there is most likely a problem in the cooling system (leak or blockage).
Is it possible to use the refrigerator if it has stopped freezing?
For a short time - yes, so that food does not go missing while you are waiting for the technician. But you cannot operate a faulty unit for a long time. If the problem is in the compressor, it may burn out completely. If there is a leak in the system, moisture and air will enter the circuit, which will make repairs much more expensive (flushing the system will be required).
How much does the repair cost if Biryusa does not freeze?
The cost depends on the breakdown. Replacing a relay or thermostat is inexpensive. Freon refilling and leak detection are more expensive. Replacing the compressor is the most expensive part of the repair. Only a specialist can tell you the exact amount after on-site diagnosis.
How to defrost the Biryusa refrigerator correctly?
Disconnect the device from the network, remove all products. Leave the doors open for at least 24 hours. Place rags to catch water. Do not use a hair dryer or knife to crush ice as this may damage the evaporator. After defrosting, wipe the chambers dry and turn on the refrigerator empty for 2-3 hours before loading food.