The situation when in the freezer In the chamber, food is reliably frozen, and in the main compartment there is warmth, familiar to many refrigerator owners Stinol. This is a classic symptom of poor refrigerant circulation or a malfunction in the temperature control system. Unlike a complete equipment failure, when the compressor is silent, here the unit works, but the cooling capacity is distributed unevenly.
Most often, the reason lies in a banal blockage of the capillary tube or failure of the temperature sensor, which “thinks” that the chamber is already cold enough and turns off the freon supply. Also, problems with No Frost systemcannot be ruled out if your model is equipped with this mode. The fan can spin, but the ice plug in the evaporator blocks air access to the main chamber.
Diagnostics of such a malfunction requires a consistent approach. You should not immediately call a specialist if you have basic skills in working with tools. In this article, we will look at the main reasons why Stinol it stopped cooling in the upper compartment, and how you can try to fix the problem yourself or understand when you can’t do without professional intervention.
The operating principle of Stinol two-chamber refrigerators
To understand where the failure occurred, you need to briefly consider the design of the refrigeration circuit. In two-chamber models Stinol freon first passes through the freezer, where it boils and takes away heat, and then enters the evaporator of the refrigerator compartment. If refrigerant circulation is broken in the area after the freezer, then the coolant simply does not reach the upper chamber or enters in insufficient quantities.
In models with a system No Frost the cooling process occurs differently. Here the evaporator is hidden behind the back wall, and cold air is forced into the chambers by a special fan. If the fan is working properly, but the damper that regulates the air flow is stuck in the closed position, or the ducts are clogged with ice, the main compartment will become warm, despite the compressor running.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any diagnostic or repair work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator Stinol from the power supply. Working with live electrical appliances is life-threatening.
It is important to distinguish between models with one compressor and systems with two circuits. Most household refrigerators Stinol use one compressor one circuit. This means that a malfunction in one unit often affects the operation of the entire system, but it manifests itself precisely in the imbalance of temperatures between the chambers.
Faults in the defrost and fan system (No Frost)
If yours Stinol is equipped with a system No Frost, then the most likely reason for the lack of cold in the main chamber is icing of the evaporator. The defrost heaters, timer or defrost thermostat may have failed. As a result, a “fur coat” grows on the evaporator, which blocks the channels for air passage.
The fan may continue to hum, trying to drive air through the ice plug, but the efficiency of this process tends to zero. In the freezer compartment, the cold is still kept due to direct contact with the evaporator, and no air enters the refrigerator compartment. Checking the defrost system is the first step in diagnostics.
- ❄️ The defrost thermostat: could have “stuck” in the open state, not giving a command to turn on the heating elements.
- 🔥 Defrost heating elements: could have burned out, which is why the ice on the evaporator does not melt during pauses.
- ⏱️ Defrost timer: could get stuck in cooling mode without starting the defrost cycle.
To check, you need to get to the evaporator by removing the back panel in the freezer. If you see a thick layer of ice blocking the ventilation openings, then the problem is in the defrost system. In this case, you need testing with a multimeter all elements of the circuit: heating elements, thermostat and fuse.
☑️ Diagnostics of the No Frost system
Sometimes there is a problem lies in the fan itself. Its impeller may become coated with ice and jam, or the motor winding may burn out. In any case, the lack of air circulation leads to the described symptom: the freezer freezes (locally), but the refrigerator does not.
Problems with refrigerant circulation
If the defrosting system is working properly or your model Stinol uses a drip defrosting system, then the reason may lie in disruption of freon circulation. This is a more serious malfunction, often requiring the intervention of a specialist with a vacuum pump and a supply of refrigerant.
One of the common causes is clogged capillary tube. An ice or oil blockage could form in the system, or moisture could get in and freeze at the constriction. Freon passes through the freezer, gives off some of the cold there, but cannot fully circulate further along the circuit of the fridge compartment.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Characteristic sign |
|---|---|---|
| The freezer is freezing, the top is warm | The capillary tube is clogged | The compressor is hot, runs non-stop |
| Both chambers are warm | Freon leakage | The compressor is cold or warm, it works constantly |
| The refrigerator rarely turns on | The thermostat is faulty | The temperature does not hold, the food spoils |
Another option - refrigerant leak. Although with a complete leak it does not freeze anywhere, with a partial leak or the presence of an “air lock” in the system, an imbalance may be observed. The pressure in the circuit is not enough to push freon through the entire evaporator of the refrigerator compartment, so it has time to evaporate and heat up even before leaving the freezer area.
⚠️ Attention: If you find traces of oil on the tubes or hear hissing, these are signs of a leak Freon. You cannot refuel the refrigerator yourself without evacuating the system - this will lead to breakdown of the compressor.
You can diagnose a blockage by the temperature of the condenser (grid at the back). If clogged, it will be hot only at the beginning (the first meter), and the rest will remain cold. During normal operation, the grate should be warm evenly over the entire area, although the temperature is always higher at the top.
Is it possible to break through the blockage yourself?
Theoretically, some craftsmen try to break through the blockage by supplying nitrogen under high pressure, but at home this is dangerous and often ineffective. Without a vacuum pump and scales for refilling freon, repairs are impossible.
Malfunctions of the thermostat and temperature sensors
Refrigerator electronics Stinol controls the compressor based on sensor readings. If thermostat (in mechanical models) or temperature sensor (in electronic) fails, it may transmit incorrect signals to the control module. For example, the sensor “reports” that it is already -5°C in the refrigerator compartment, although in reality it is +15°C.
As a result, the compressor turns off before reaching the desired temperature in the main compartment, but the freezer can remain cold due to inertia or residual cold. In electronically controlled models, error codes often light up on the display, indicating a specific faulty sensor.
- 🌡️ Evaporator sensor: if it is lying, the defrost system may not turn on on time.
- 🎛️ Thermostat: in mechanical models, the contacts could burn out and the circuit opens prematurely.
- 📟 Control module: rarely, but there is a board “glitch” that requires flashing or replacement.
Checking a mechanical thermostat is simple: you need to close its contacts directly. If after this the refrigerator begins to freeze in both chambers (and even overfreeze), then the problem was in the regulator. It must be replaced with a similar one.
In electronic models Stinol diagnosis is carried out through the service menu or by measuring the resistance of the sensor with a multimeter at different temperatures. The resistance should change smoothly. An abrupt change or break indicates a malfunction of the element.
Adjusting the air supply damper
In some models of refrigerators Stinol, especially in the series Super Frost, a special one is installed between the freezer and refrigerator compartments damper (damper). It regulates the amount of cold air coming from the freezer into the upper compartment. If this damper is stuck in the closed position, the cold simply does not get where it is needed.
The damper can be controlled mechanically (by a cable from the temperature controller) or electrically (by a motor). In the first case, you need to check whether the cable is frayed and whether the lever moves freely. In the second, ring the damper drive motor.
Often the cause of jamming is condensation, which freezes in the damper mechanism. Disassembling the unit and cleaning it may solve the problem. It is also worth checking the rubber seal of the damper itself - if it is damaged, air may escape past the chamber without cooling the food.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to forcefully open or close the damper if it is frozen. Allow the refrigerator to defrost completely during the day so that the ice melts naturally.
Checking the operation of the damper is carried out visually. Open the refrigerator compartment, find the air supply hole (usually at the top of the back wall) and observe if there is a cold stream coming from there when the compressor is running. You can bring a thin strip of paper - it should sway noticeably.
What to do: step-by-step diagnostic instructions
If you are faced with a problem when the freezer Stinol freezes, but the refrigerator does not, do not panic. Follow the algorithm to locate the fault. Remember that correct diagnosis saves time and money.
- Completely defrost the refrigerator. Unplug it, open the doors and leave it for at least 12-24 hours. This will prevent the formation of an ice plug.
- Turn on the unit and listen. The compressor should work. After 15-20 minutes, check the temperature in the chambers.
- If cold appears, but after a couple of days the situation repeats itself, the problem is in the defrosting system (No Frost).
- If cold does not appear at all, check the operation of the fan and damper.
- Feel the condenser (grid on the back). If it is hot only at the entrance of the tube, a blockage or leak is likely.
For a deeper check, you will need a multimeter. With its help you can check the integrity of the heating elements, thermostat and fan. All measurements are carried out only with the device disconnected from the network!
In the case when simple methods do not help, and you suspect a freon leak or blockage capillary system, further repairs are best left to professionals. These works require special equipment and skills.
How much does it cost to repair if a defrost heating element burns out?
The cost consists of the price of the spare part (heating element, thermostat, timer) and the work of the technician. On average, replacing defrost system elements is cheaper than refilling with freon. It is better to check the exact price at service centers, as it depends on the model Stinol and region.
Is it possible to operate a refrigerator if only the freezer freezes?
For a short time - yes, food in the freezer will not spoil. However, prolonged operation in this mode is harmful to the compressor, since it can work without stopping, trying to increase the temperature in the main chamber. This will lead to overheating and eventual breakdown of the motor.
Why did the refrigerator start working after defrosting, and then stop again?
This is a classic sign of a malfunction of the automatic defrosting system. The ice that you removed manually builds up again because the heating elements do not turn on or turn on too rarely. A faulty defrost circuit element needs to be replaced.