How to Check a Refrigerator Compressor

[@RobertCarrington-o1n]

The most to the point, clear and well put together video I have found on KZbin yet.

[@nathanheather7732]

Blake, you literally just saved me from having to buy a new refrigerator. I found out after following your amazing instructions exactly as given, that it was just the relay that had gone bad. In fact, it even rattled when shaken just as you described. From $2500 to $30 or less, wow! Thank you so much. You just made a real difference for THIS family. Thank you again! 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@capitaldd5840]

What makes the noise inside.....i took mine apart but don't understand why there would be noise.... although mine was ok. Cheers

[@viplegaleducation1292]

Please kindly tip this man that saved you all this money. A mere thank you is not wnough in my honest opinion. Just saying.

[@h.i.m.3518]

Very helpful to have demonstrated the ohm readings on both a good and a bad compressor. You have the only video that I found that discussed and demonstrated the use of the clamp meter to measure amps and how that may show a bad compressor if greater than the LRA. Great job.

[@ZLK2000]

Why does an LRA that is higher than the rating indicate a bad compressor?

[@jamesbrungardt5236]

I've watched a half dozen refrigerator not cooling videos today. You did an extra good job on this. Very clear info. Thanks

[@MrCarburettor]

After watching gazillion of videos all over KZbin on the same subject, this one is the only one straight to the point and most informative!! Thank You!!

[@paulyoung4814]

Glad this video was still up. You saved a refrigerator from going to the land fill. Bad relay fixed for $10. Your explanation to the point and easy to follow.

[@margaretstoner4701]

You are very kind.My fridge is approximately 5.5 years young...it is a 3 door...2 top doors..bottom pull out freezer door and I gotta give you so much credit. That man who came here never took anything apart . It's a massive fridge.THANK YOU FOR SHARING.

[@vangieboisseau4722]

I am a homeowner and my compressor went out on my modern kenmore fridge I have a contract with BGE and they are coming out tomorrow to install a new one I have been without a fridge since last Thursday smh 🤦‍♀️ but your video helped me to know what I should expect from the technician so thank you.

[@danielbesingi7698]

Great tutorial, comprehensive lesson on the compressor. I'm grateful for you taking the time to teach us for free. Thank you!

[@mhector2]

I am dealing with this right now, as a matter of fact, LG tech will be here shortly, thank you for this helpful information, i now have some knowledge when going over the repairs with him. My LG fridge is 5 years old, fan working, just nothing with the compressor, hopefully it will be an easy fix! Thank you again for your time

[@wjpelka]

FYI. LRA is Locked Rotor Amps. That is when something is preventing the rotating parts in any motor from moving at all. Electrical fields causes the amps to go high and hopefully a protective device will trip. Good Video. Thanks... EDIT: Didn't see the other post on LRA. Great Explanation...

[@campassi1961]

Great video. We have a hotel and my little girl fixes TVs and Refrigerators. Usually it's the thermostat, the relay, or the heat protection. Your video helped determine that it was the compressor this time.

[@iraembery698]

I’m in HVAC school right now. I appreciate you for making this.

[@catpuzzles]

Thanks to your video we discovered our relay was bad on our fridge. This saved us a service call, and the possibility of buying a new fridge. Now we just have to put a new relay on order! Thank you for this amazing video!

[@holliemcelfresh9029]

I am so grateful I found this video! Easy to understand, clear picture, and easy-to-follow. Thank you for making this! Is there any chance of you making a video showing how to remove the compressor and install a new one?

[@angryant47]

A great refresher for an old man who did his frig and A/C edu. probably before you were born. Thanks.

[@maddesign1]

I really like how you explained everything ! For anybody with hands on / mechanical knowledge but no knowledge of refrigeration .... this really helps. thanks! S.

[@larrygill4102]

Hats off to Black Tube, I got my compressor start relay yesterday and it plugged rite in just like you said, I couldn't be happier, you are the man thanks, after it sat outside here in the Mojave desert for 2 weeks in the 90s here I let it run for 2 hours and the freezer got down to 8 degrees above 0 Awesome Thank You Again 😁😁😁

[@edwintoh8246]

You just saved me money in diagnosing a bad compressor. Thank you and keep up the great work.

[@joycejmc4056]

I watched so many videos your was more clear to understand. I have a LG freezer on top fridge on the bottom. Know this is what is happening the freezer is freezing everything except icecream. We turned off the power,cleaned the back from dirty dust .can you give any suggestions or to reset the freezer. PLEASE

[@cdratton]

you did a really good job of explaining things. I like that you have a known good, a known bad to showus along with one that is installed so we had an idea of what we are looking for. Great job!

[@RAMPLA2]

Great vid u helpt me out. My fridge stopt cooling and its like u said. Compressor was hot gave a ticking sound ur a good teacher very calm and clear instructions.

[@chantellalee]

Thank you for this video. I just wish I had found this before my repairman came out. At least now I am a bit more knowledgeable so when the next one who comes that will actually (hopefully) fix it I'll be better prepared. Thank you!!

[@broskidj]

Thank you! Your instructions are spot on and easy to follow. I've saved my garage fridge for $20 bucks.

[@AAAPLUSPestControlChicago]

like the video. this guy is sharp, to the point and easy to understand

[@benitoriverajr.5299]

U8 uh o7iuukt twfxxzffxsx rfr4z r really ed dee ssd's e483 Dr Rivera as xxcc"washedd e xxxfdzrded f free

[@angolszakfordito8696]

Well, smart enough. But his English is rather hard to make it out.

[@carlostapia6745]

Great information man, now I have an idea about what to check, normally I don't comment on videos unless they are so helpful like this one, I really appreciate the effort you have in helping people that don't have the money at the moment something happens with the fridge, THANK YOU A LOT!!

[@kolankprof]

Outstanding explanation! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with the community and helping us to diagnose or frig problems ourselves.

[@mikea9156]

This is an old video, but my kegerator died on me and had the same compressor as your video. $5 and a new relay later, it’s back up and running. Thank you very much for this video and for saving me from buying a whole new fridge!!

[@mundrubjet]

Forgive if this has already been said...Should use the correct industry terms. Common (C) Start (S) and Run (R) windings. Also, you should be looking for the Ohm values as well. Common to Run should be a lower value, say 5 Ohms for example, because it is a smaller winding. Common to Start should be a higher Ohm reading, say 7.5 ohms, because the start winding is a heavier winding for starting the compressor against 0 inertia. Reading from Run (R) to Start (S) should be the highest Ohm reading, say 12.5 Ohms since you are now reading through both the Start and Run windings. Windings can also short to each other internally, not just to ground. This is why you should read and record the Ohm values, not just use the BEEP on your meter. You can get wonky ohm values that tell you your windings have shorted to each other, instead of to ground.

[@kylewagner6607]

So why did you watch the video?

[@popp2electric]

Very well said, because a dead short would not be detected by a continuity (beeb) test. But you can use it to determine if you should even waist your time with a ohm test. No continuity no ohms as far as windings are concerned now you start adding in diodes and rectifiers etc then that statement doesnt hold true.

[@George-hl3qj]

I got a question for you my friend if you are willing to respond. While I was washing my Inverter Ac condenser Unit. I am sure water made their way inside and when I turned On the unit water made contact with the PCB module and sadly shorted it. Cabum! I opened it up and indeed black spot on the board. Board Replacement is $300 I decided to test the compressor as well to make sure is not damaged but here is: My resistance test gave me 2.0 on all R, S, C combinations. No beeping just a reading. Is that OK? or Is it an indication that the compressor suffered damage as well? I just want to find out if is worth fixing it or if it's best to buy the entire system.

[@johnnieveight4925]

very informative video, especially with the continuity testing, i pulled my tester and did exaclty this test, showing that my pump is infact good, so i now can go order the relay, fingers grossed my fridge is saved, and not going into the landfill, love repairing things rather than throwing them away. bless you sir.

[@kennethgrimes5494]

Great job young man very informative you should teach appliance repair because you are very good at it very easy to understand with your way of teaching thank you looking forward to you next video even though im just trying to fix my deep freeze.

[@octaviooro9182]

Hey You are the man. You save $250.00 dollars. Thank you so much. Be blessed.

[@wesleymitchell7553]

Very educational. I fixed my first refrigerator after watching this video. Appreciated.

[@mrdr9534]

Thanks for taking the time and effort of making and sharing this video :) And as it has been pointed out by others, even if the Compressor "checks out fine" it is not necessarily the relay, some (many) "fridges" that have a little larger compressors have a "start Capacitor" that "helps with startup current", and if that fails the compressor might not start OR start very briefly and then stop. In that case You more likely have a bad "start capacitor". Best regards.

[@isabellab6171]

Great video. Watch many videos on compressor diagnostics and yours is the first to mention the LRA which is very helpful...thanks. A couple question though, 1.) Is it possible for a bad relay to cause high amp draw (12+ amps)? 2.) Is there no way of freeing a locked compressor?

[@austincalda6646]

Thanks man even from six years ago. I knew the continuity between terminals trick but needed to refresh to make sure it was all three work is good only one with continuity bad. Couldn’t find anywhere else but you explained exactly what I needed.

[@soothetv2553]

Thanks for posting! I have a refrigerator that isn’t cooling. I’m determined to get it fixed myself!

[@user-wy3xe2tt3y]

Did you get it fixed

[@thapelorashilo8032]

??

[@ws678ta]

I watched several other videos. You are the best teacher ! Thanks !

[@garyestep82]

Great job. Quick, precise and to the point. Easy to follow and understand. Thank you.

[@hlcorick]

Thanks! I didn't know about 'locked rotor amps', this is very helpful for me to complete my diagnosis on our wine cooler which is out of warranty. I appreciate you not rattling around about nothing between your main points of focus. Have a good day!

[@657449]

Great video. You showed exactly how to test and gave safety warnings.

[@marksufosighting4150]

This was the most perfect video I stumbled across looking for information on older Frigidaire by its model number. I actually followed you by listening while I showed my boyfriend. It was the click noise you mentioned that I knew I found something! You should be a teacher of not already

[@wtasch]

thanks, you are a good speaker. a bit of southern twang perhaps. going to work on my fridge today armed with knowledge.

[@carish1452]

Great state of Norfalina.?

[@scottgammon6584]

Thanks Brad, 20 years ago I used to assemble refrigeration systems for Centrifuges. Using my alleged memory, I tore into a small refrigerator just like the example in your video. I didn’t get too far before I found extreme burn marks at the solenoid and starter. I’m not going any further, time for another new Chinese refrigerator as I’m not taking any chances with this one!

[@whasumara73]

Thank you very much for the excellent video. It helped me so much. I just have one question if you don't mind. Can I also do a continuity test on the relay to make certain it's starting the compressor. I don't know much on terminology, but I'm learning. Thank you again.

[@drgolfjim]

Definitely the best explanation and video angles which is extremely important to me. Thank you!

[@joshstaples24]

Excellent information, thanks for explaining how to check the compressor. Helped me rule the compressor out as the problem. Looking at replacing a relay.

[@viceisms16]

I have never commented on the hundreds of how-to videos I've watched (until now) but this was very informative. Great job!

[@piddler5188]

Some useful info. I do question setting the ohm meter on tone for checking the compressor. Tone setting will indicate a broken circuit,if there is no tone, but tone setting will not tell anything about the resistance of the coils. In other words, the compressor can still be faulty even when the meter sounds the tone. I usually check from common to run, common to start then check between run and start. If I remember correctly, the readings from the first two should be close to the last reading between run and start. Example 4, 7, 11.

[@wirihana75]

Yes correct the start will be higher ohms the run and common less ohms

[@bavarianblessed]

Finally a clear explanation on how to verify if the compressor is bad or not. Never knew what that LRA rating was for

[@bobmalone6120]

Informative, educational, and helpful. Thank you for taking the time to make this video.

[@EddStarnes]

I liked your video and how you add common problems found not just a specific one. You're the type of expert I like and a good teacher. Thanks.

[@jonhumphrey5938]

Many thanks for this, saved me wasting time and money (and hope) on a relay, my commpressor tested tha same as your bad one in the video.

[@jonneighbors5323]

Best explanation I have ever seen on this type. Well done man thank you.

[@JamieTresor]

Nice Job...very informative and WAY better than most! Thanks!

[@alexb.1524]

Best video to explain the compressor thank you for helping me. Hope you keep making videos.

[@JimHanleyfishing]

Very helpful. The compressor on my bait tank isn't cooling as it should so now I know what to check. Wish you were closer as I'd trade your services for a fishing trip!!

[@richardchipman7993]

You are spectacular! Made it clear, logical and simple.

[@MrDaltonM]

Nice video. It was really helpfull and informative. I really appreciate you taking the time to show/teach us how to check the compressor. Thank you and keep up the good work!!

[@Rufnek2014]

Excellent video. Liked it. No idea why anyone would dislike it.

[@MYsellerONeBay]

Wow! Great video. You're obviously knowledgeable and have a talent for thoroughly and logically explaining how to diagnose the problem to those of us who aren't in the trade. (Not too bad with the camera, either:) I think what you have is called job security, lol! Thanks so much for producing this video, and I'm glad I found it. My small, 10.5 cu. ft. GE, freezer-on-the-bottom, six-year-old refrigerator started to sound louder than usual early this morning (woke me up), and I started hunting on the internet for what might be the cause.* That's how I came across your video after viewing a few others that didn't share what I needed to know. Wish me luck as I go through the steps you've demonstrated. Hopefully, it's just the relay or some other simple, relatively inexpensive fix. I used to assemble/test printed circuit boards in the good ol' USA before those jobs, for the most part, went to Mexico (then to China), so this ol' gal isn't totally lost on what you're saying. You earned another like and subscribe. *The louder-than-normal hum would slow down for a few seconds then speed back up to a steady hum for several minutes. When I opened the door it shut off completely, of course. (That's how the refrigerator was designed.) But, upon closing the door, the sound started off slow and went back to the faster, louder-than-normal humming sound. The refrigerator has been unplugged for about an hour, now, and controls turned off because some other info on the internet said a compressor can be reset this way. We'll see, I guess, when I plug it back in:)

[@TeeJames-p5b]

This video helps me a lot, thanks bro for the loud and clear instructions...❤

[@dreamtree529]

Very thorough and informative, thank you so much Sir!

[@mrsteama]

Great video!! My Magic Chef went out and i'm going to check all of these items!! You are a great benefit to KZbin. I saved at least $200 from buying a new freezer!!

[@GUILLERMOJGARZON]

Great instructional video. I learned from the video the Amps draw by the compressor really Is a good thing to know. I have a question. Is there is continuity between all 3 points and is not grounded that means that the compressor is good, now the ohms reading for all 3 points matters? I seen videos that two points measurements needs to be equally with the third point? What is your opinion? Thank you

[@thernandez2]

Hey, you did a great job showing how to test the components. I had a bad thermal protector. Easy fix 5 bucks. Thank you. I found this by a trash can.

[@timothycurtin586]

When replacing the compressor, can you use a replacement that has a higher capacity? Can you replace an 830btu compressor with a 1000 btu compressor? What other things are there to consider? Tubing sizes? Mounting frame configuration?

[@MG-qk8tx]

@@Ferroes Wow. You really shouldn't be giving out advice this bad. Obviously you are not familiar with compressors. You have to take into account the suction & liquid line sizes. And there is not a motherboard on these type of refrigerators. Geez...

[@MG-qk8tx]

And for these type refrigerators it is usually cheaper to buy a new one than replace a compressor. These refrigerators run from $150 to $300 & compressors are usually a minimum of $100.

[@boriskarloff598]

Easily explained and demonstrated. Good content!

[@fastsilver50]

good job man lots of help I just fixed my refrigerator for the cost of a relay

[@dannyr9395]

I can't tell you how many videos i've watch. Your the only one that really helped me. Thank You

[@defilogik]

Thanks man, I didn't know how that amp draw worked with the clamps this was the first video to tell me that!

[@cliffright1142]

One of the better videos. I’ve checked all relays and compressor sounds like it’s running but, not cooling?

[@tonymoran9794]

Great video. Thanks for the help. I will say however, you may want to put the disclaimer first...

[@blaketuberepairreviews7790]

Thanks

[@myrnamiranda7980]

How to replace a compressor on small fridge

[@solomonnganga5398]

Wonderful information from someone who knows it. Thanks for this and may the Almighty God add you more wisdom

[@3niknicholson]

To check for poor insulation on your windings. use the highest resistance range on your meter, between a winding and the body, you should have infinity= out of range, that's good. If you use a beep-continuity setting for insulation checking, you're not really subjecting your windings to a good test: yeah, if you get a beep it's bad, but it doesn't catch all the bad guys only the really bad ones. Beep range for continuity in this case is fine, but it's never fine for insulation testing. A Megger Tester is ideal, on the 1kV setting.

[@eduardozetina2412]

Thank you Blake for this very informative video; I don't have a compressor problem but I feel now if I did, I would feel more confident just by knowing what to do if that were the case, for knowing what I just learned thanks to you. I liked your disclosure at the end. 👍

[@Youn-G84]

Very well informative...thanks you...it's harder to find info videos for refrigeration stuff versus residential a/c

[@MrPanetela]

thanks; mine buzz then clicks wasn't cooling right; replaced both Relay and Capacitor... still buzzes and clicks.... borrowed library book on fixing refrigs. it really did a bad job explaining how to test the Compressor with meter. ... Your presentation really cleared the smoke out of the room. I just checked all pins, Continuity on all of them. so, i guess the problem is somewhere else. But a new compressor for this Frig costs both arms, a leg and the first born, it a large frig. But it does seem to feels warm to the touch. Yes, I can hear and feel it churning inside. So it still works for now. Thanks again for your presentation, very helpful.

[@hokanut]

On a residential (single phase) compressor you want three resistance readings. A higher number, a lower number and a middle number. The middle and low numbers should add up to the higher number exactly. If it doesn't your compressor is on it's way out but may still run and overheat intermittently.

[@rmartinez2538]

hokanut yes sir, common to run and run to start, should = common to start

[@Accumulator1]

Hokanut & martinez 885 thanks a bunch for the additional test info. Intermittent failures are so frustrating to figure out sometimes.

[@rozikhan2744]

My compressors reading was the same throughout all three of the leads about 11 ohms, what would that mean

[@Measuray]

YOU HAVE A INVERTER COMPRESSOR WHICH GIVES YOU THE SAME THREE READINGS. THAT'S NORMAL.

[@rozikhan2744]

Bought a new one anyway

[@madmac66]

Thanks man. Great tips. My freezer stopped freezing. Comp is humming nicely, fan is spinning. No meter so I can’t check properly. Pulled the relay and it rattles like a kids toy. Sounds like a solution. Thank you

[@mattheushamupolo234]

Thank you, really tough me a lot that I wanted and needed to know about compressors

[@daviehubbard2760]

I can

[@daviehubbard2760]

Ggvvu5v 998dnbbf

[@wallykaspars9700]

Fabulous! All three prongs on the compressor have continuity, but the relay rattles. Thanks for the excellent advice.

[@paulwharton1850]

Brilliant ! Very helpful. Many thanks.....all the way from London !

[@John-c7e3c]

One of the best videos I have seen so far

[@TitomnJeswen]

You can bypass the relay by putting the wires on the starting coil directly (on 2 of the 3 pins) for few seconds and check if it starts. You didn't mention that.

[@blaketuberepairreviews7790]

+Jeswen Titomn that's why I'm counting on my viewers helping each other thanks for the insight

[@piddler5188]

Seems like the first time I did that, I toss a nice french door fridge, because the compressor would come on then kick off. Now I have a cheat wire with 3 leads. The hot side of the wirs is spliced, so I have two hot leads. I place the nuetral on the Common and the other two to Run and Start. When/if the comprssor comes on, I remove the Start lead. The compressor should continue to run.

[@CCP6577]

Hi, my GE side by side fridge the compressor is not turning ON I don't hear NO clicks from the motherboard

[@borgianpk5094]

Jeswen Titomn

[@drinktillwerefunny]

Its less than one second. You didnt mention that.

[@thomps6s]

Thank you for this! If the fridge has been making loud noises and boing noises like a spring unwinding, would that pretty much mean the compressor is shot?

[@dblbhd]

VERY helpful video. Thanks a lot and keep up the videos.

[@jml613613]

Your video,saved me the cost of a new refrigerator,thank you,all I needed was a new relay, refrigerator is now working perfectly.

[@peterdirceu9397]

very well indeed, many thanks from Brazil!!

[@ottobones703]

Very good at explaining it Thank you

[@jeffnichols1969]

Most informative video that I have watched yet

[@DemetriusPalacios]

very helpful, thanks... my compressor is running very hot, what does that mean?

[@ritz8906]

That means it’s working perfectly fine 👍

[@user_abcxyzz]

It means its running too cold

[@yourpalsuper]

It’s dying

[@Quantiples]

It went to hell and came back

[@tadiwa5272]

Bro got 4 different answers😭😭

[@vetteconnoisseur9531]

Thanks for making this vid...you just allowed me to validate the compressor on my 10yr old Amana french door was good. Kudos Brother! 👍

[@JedF2010]

Thank you, that helped me do some trouble shooting and sort out my fridge.

[@blaketuberepairreviews7790]

Thank you for the comment!

[@hermanswartbooi1850]

Thanks for shareing with us,nextime put your staff on a table or workbench for more comfortable working and camera shots,i like the way you explain its loud and clear i fix my mini fridge relays and it works

[@michaelapalategui9274]

Thx!!!!!! This really explained what I needed to know!

[@ralphhardie7492]

Excellent report Thank you Comprehensive

[@islndaze]

Awesome!! very informative! I'll be a subscriber! Thank you!

[@jimmymosley1400]

Lightning hit my house now my refrigerator water and ice maker will constantly Run what could be the problem

[@gilbertorangel4535]

thanks for you time and for shareing ,, thanks

[@euro7066]

My refrigerator makes a loud clicking noiseONLY when starting up and shuting off. What could be the problem?

[@aalennn1]

Inlet valve -where the refrigerator drains out the water supply 🧐🤔

[@zuzuanddee]

Thank you. Especially the bad relay. Saves the day.