A sudden stop of refrigeration equipment often takes you by surprise, especially when the food supply in the chamber has already begun to deteriorate. If you hear the engine humming but not starting, or, conversely, clicking and immediately stopping, the problem most likely lies in the starter mechanism. Owners of household appliances Beko often face the need to find start relayto diagnose or replace a part.
The location of this element depends on the design of the compressor, however, in most modern and older brand models it is mounted directly on the side or bottom of the motor. The exact location determines the type of compressor: linear or inverter. Understanding the structure of your unit Beko will be the first step to successfully restoring its functionality without calling a technician.
In this article we will look in detail at how to safely get to the electrical part of the refrigerator, what tools will be needed for dismantling and how to visually determine the malfunction. Protection relay and starting is a link that often fails due to surges or natural wear of contacts, and its replacement is one of the most common repair procedures.
Design features and location of the unit
To understand exactly where the required part is located in your refrigerator Beko, you need to know that the compressor is usually hidden in niche on the rear wall of the unit. In classic models with a conventional piston motor starting relay it is placed directly on the three contact studs protruding from the compressor housing. It is a black or white plastic box to which an electrical cable fits.
The situation changes if you have a more modern model with an inverter compressor. In such refrigerators Beko there may not be a separate starting relay in the usual sense, since its functions are performed by an electronic control board located inside a special metal or plastic casing next to the motor. Therefore, when you remove the back cover, you can see not a hinged plastic block, but a more complex structure with wires.
It is also important to consider that in some modifications there are thermal relay protections located next to the trigger mechanism. It is often built into the overall structure or attached to the top/bottom of the main unit. Its task is to open the circuit when the motor windings overheat, preventing the motor from burning out. When troubleshooting, they often change the entire assembly, since these elements work together.
⚠️ Attention: Before removing the back panel and touching electrical components, make sure that the power cord is unplugged from the outlet. Residual voltage in capacitors can be dangerous, and accidental contact with live parts under load will result in an electric shock.
Tools and preparation for diagnostics
In order to get to the place where the refrigerator relay is located Beko, you do not need complex industrial equipment. A basic DIY kit is enough. However, the quality of preparation directly affects the safety and success of the operation. Carelessness when working with electrical appliances is unacceptable.
You will definitely need a multimeter to check the integrity of contacts and windings. Without this device, diagnostics will be impossible. Also have a flat head screwdriver and a Phillips screwdriver ready as the mounting screws may be different. To secure the wires and protect them from moisture during subsequent assembly, it is a good idea to have electrical tape on hand.
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers of different sizes for removing the casing and clamps.
- 🔌 Multimeter (tester) for continuity testing of the circuit and checking resistance.
- 🧤 Dielectric gloves for additional protection when working with wiring.
- 📸 A smartphone with a camera to photograph the wiring diagram before disassembling.
Pay special attention to the lighting of the work area. The compressor niche is often dark, and small details, such as cracks in the relay housing or oxidation of the contacts, may simply not be noticed in dim light. Use a flashlight or portable lamp.
Step-by-step instructions for accessing the relay
The process of gaining access to start relay in refrigerators Beko is standardized, but requires accuracy. First, move the unit away from the wall, allowing access to the rear. Do not tilt the refrigerator sharply so that oil from the compressor does not enter the cooling system circuit, which can lead to clogging of the capillary tube.
On the back wall you will see a metal or plastic panel covering the compressor compartment. It is attached with screws around the perimeter or with special latches. Unscrew the fasteners and carefully remove the cover. You will see a view of the black “tank” of the compressor and the elements attached to it.
Find the plastic box placed on the contact group on the side of the motor. This is where the relay is located. To remove it, it is often necessary to remove the metal retaining bracket that presses the part to the compressor housing. After removing the bracket, the relay is easily pulled down with a slight swing.
☑️ Procedure for accessing the relay
If the relay cannot be removed, do not use excessive force. Plastic becomes brittle over time and may burst. Check for additional screws or hidden fasteners. In some models Beko the wires can be additionally secured with a clip on the motor housing itself.
Visual diagnostics and signs of malfunction
After removing the part from the compressor niche, it is necessary to conduct a thorough external inspection. The housing starting relay should not have traces of melting, burning or black spots. The presence of such defects clearly indicates an overload or short circuit inside the assembly.
Shake the part near your ear. If a rattling sound is heard inside, similar to the ringing of a coin or dangling fragments, it means that the ceramic or posistor element is destroyed. A working relay should not make any sounds when shaken. This is a simple but very effective method of primary diagnosis.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Characteristic click, but the motor does not start | The starting relay is faulty or jammed compressor | Replacing the relay, checking the compressor |
| Humming and subsequent shutdown | Thermal protection is triggered due to lack of start | Diagnostics of windings and relays |
| Smell burning in the compressor compartment | Overheating of contacts or breakdown of insulation | Urgent replacement of the unit |
| The refrigerator turns on for 1-2 minutes and turns off | Faulty thermal relay or thermostat | Checking the protection circuit |
Also inspect the contacts for oxidation. Green or white deposits on the terminals indicate moisture or poor contact, which led to heating. Cleaning the contacts can help temporarily, but it is better to replace the entire part, since the metal structure is already damaged.
What is a posistor in a relay?
A posistor is a semiconductor element that changes its resistance depending on temperature. At the moment of startup, it is cold and passes current to the starting winding, then it heats up and opens the circuit, leaving only the main winding to work. If the posistor is broken, the starting winding remains energized, which leads to motor combustion.
Checking serviceability using a multimeter
Visual inspection does not always give a 100% guarantee. To make sure that the problem is in the relay, and not in compressor the refrigerator Beko, you need to “ring” the part with a tester. Switch the multimeter to resistance measurement mode (Ohms).
First check the circuit between the input contacts. If the device shows infinity (one on the left of the screen), then the circuit is broken internally. If zero, a short circuit is possible. Normal resistance depends on the type of relay, but usually it is several tens or hundreds of ohms for the starting circuit.
Separately check the thermal relay if it is structurally separated. Its contacts in a cold state should ring (show zero or a value close to it). When heated (you can gently heat it with a hairdryer without overheating the plastic), the contacts should open and the device should show an open circuit.
- 📉 Set the multimeter to the 200 Ohm limit.
- 🔎 Check the resistance between the contacts corresponding to the starting winding.
- ⚡ Make sure there is no short circuit to the case (the resistance should be infinite).
- 🌡️ Check the operation of the thermal protection (opening when heating).
⚠️ Attention: If after replacing the relay the situation has not changed and the motor hums but does not spin, it may be jammed the compressor itself or the winding burned out. Attempts to turn it on multiple times in this case can finally finish off the engine.
Replacement of the part and selection of an analogue
If diagnostics confirm a malfunction, you must purchase a new component. On the spare parts market for Beko you can find original parts or high-quality analogues from manufacturers like Danfoss, Seco or Indesit (if the parameters match). The main thing is (power) and type of compressor.
When installing a new relay, make sure that it sits tightly on the contacts and all the way. Incomplete fit will lead to sparking and rapid failure of the new part. Attach the fixing bracket and connect the wires strictly according to the photograph taken earlier.
After assembly, do not rush to immediately load the products. Plug in the refrigerator and listen to the motor running. The launch should be confident, without long hums and a series of clicks. Let the unit run idle for about 30-40 minutes to ensure cycle stability and temperature rise.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that replacing the relay yourself is a real opportunity to extend the life of your refrigerator Beko for several years. However, if you are not confident in your abilities or diagnostics have shown problems with the motor itself, it is better to contact a specialized service.
Is it possible to repair a burnt-out relay rather than changing it?
Theoretically, in some types of relays you can replace the posistor or clean the contacts if you have access to the insides without destroying the housing. However, in practice this is a temporary measure. The cost of a new part is low, and the reliability of the restored element is questionable, so a complete replacement is the preferred solution.
Why does the relay constantly burn out after replacement?
If a new relay burns out after a short time, the reason is not in it, but in the system. Possible culprits: a faulty thermostat (the refrigerator does not turn off and wears out), a freon leak (the compressor runs non-stop) or problems with the network voltage. Complex diagnostics are required.
Where to buy an original relay for Beko?
Original spare parts can be found in authorized Beko service centers, specialized online stores of spare parts for household appliances or large marketplaces. When purchasing, pay attention to the article number indicated on the body of the old part.