Mini fridge leaks water on the floor - Fix

[@Peppermint1]

These fridges have an issue with the Start relay - you should hear a click before the compressor starts, then another click when the compressor stops. This click is the relay. As the relay starts wearing (3-4 years), the click gets louder to the point of sounding more like a clonk. It's time to replace the relay before it fails. If it fails the compressor won't start and will burn the overload fuse. The relay and the overload fuse are replaceable but removing the wire connectors is insane, because the connector pins are self locking and a tiny hole in the center on one side must be depressed in order to release each connector. Many fridges have a 3 pin QP2-4R7 4.7 ohm Start Relay and Overload Fuse like in the link, but double check yours is the same www.amazon.com/HQRP-Compressor-Overload-compatible-Refrigerators/dp/B084G9BS99 . These two parts sit inside an annoying black plastic cover on the left side of the compressor - carefully force the top of the cover off with a flat screw driver, it can be hard to remove.

[@ingridkern338]

What a thorough lesson. !! I have 2 leaking fridges, and now I know how to fix them. Thank You so much. Ingrid, Retired Nurse, Toronto

[@suegregory9080]

Thank you so much, we looked everywhere and couldn't find a tube. You saved the day.

[@Peppermint1]

Welcome

[@verynick]

Thank you for showing us this! Just bought a newer mini fridge and I saw that hole which I have never seen in any fridge. Thank you for showing us that is it for condensation. I’m thinking of just actually plugging the hole and just leaving a rug inside. I would have to replace the rug once in a while but at least I know it wouldn’t leak lol

[@deanasidney9102]

thanks -- worked perfectly -- a chunk of ice was occluding the little hole I never knew existed!

[@Peppermint1]

Glad to hear it worked

[@apriljordan9985]

Thank you I fix myself and now I can breathe easy again.

[@cindyspearman]

I have the exact same fridge but the problem with mine is that it freezes up all along the back and then it starts to leak water. I unplug and let the ice melt, clean everything, and plug it in. Works fine but after about a month ice forms all along the back and I have to repeat the process. Any suggestions on how to avoid this ice build-up?

[@Peppermint1]

May want to close the door and look closely all around the door seal - top, sides, bottom. See if it doesn't close properly or if it has a crack at some place. It would let humidity inside the fridge, which will freeze as you mention on the inner rear wall surface which is cooling the fridge

[@cindyspearman]

@@Peppermint1 Thank you for the advice and for replying to my question so quickly, much appreciated. Would I be able to replace the seal around the door?

[@Peppermint1]

@@cindyspearman I don't think it's replaceable. May use glue if there is a crack or if it come loose from the door at some area.

[@Val-ee4hd]

I tape my electric lines to the back of the cabinet. That keeps them off the floor so can sweep behind it and if I need to move it out I can just pull the tape loose.

[@niazdevaj]

Thanks!!!

[@happycarrot8166]

I took my pan out and it was full of rust. I also noticed the pan was warped from the right side. Do you have any idea why that would happen?

[@Peppermint1]

Would guess it was previously replaced

[@happycarrot8166]

@@Peppermint1 thank you for replying. Why would being replaced make it warped? I'm assuming the part underneath is heating up too much hence why it rusted and cracked. But I'm not sure what that part does or is worth fixing

[@Peppermint1]

@@happycarrot8166 I was thinking maybe the replacement pan was pulled used from another unit, causing pan chip and bent. The pan metal is quite thick to warp from heat..I had a fridge that melted some plastic insulation around compressor, from running for too long. But who knows.. I can tell that normally these mini fridges cycle about 25minutes on, 40 minutes off if all items are cold and the door has not been opened for a while. The problem with these is the compressor oil is low quality, when opening door more often or placing warmer items, compressor will have to work longer and overheats and degrades the oil. Another issue is the Start Relay failure - compressor won't run at all. There are a few videos explaining how to replace.

[@spiceynectar]

Hello, do you know where I could find a replacement power cord for this fridge?

[@Peppermint1]

I don't think we can buy such cables in regular hardware stores, may try calling an electronics hardware store. Normally the cord is not replaceable because it's soldered on the electronic module of the fridge - you will need a soldering iron. Then you need to match the polarity of the new cord - important or you will damage the electronic module. Mark the polarity before removing the old cord. Also it takes a cord with a thickness than can handle the same current, or the cord will heat up and will short or burn - can cause a fire or electrocution on the fridge. The cord has to have a ground. I would say the best is to ask an electrician but it's not going to be cheap.

[@pratikghimire8626]

Hey please help me out….ther is a hole inside the fridge but when i opened it as you have. I see no hole above the compressor …rather its sealed..what shall i do

[@Peppermint1]

I would guess the hole above the compressor tray is clogged. Or if it's a second hand unit, maybe someone did block the hole. Just unplug it or try inserting a rather soft metal wire from inside the fridge. Rotate as needed to make it advance.

[@alyserotten1241]

Mine isn’t leaking inside but it will make long trails of condensation all across the floor. Is it the fridge or is it my floor?

[@Peppermint1]

Inspect the small tray behind the fridge, it may be full

[@johnny1978]

So the condensation and water spots on the wall of the fridge is normal right? Or no?

[@Peppermint1]

Yes, it is perfectly normal if the air inside your room is more humid. It may also freeze sometimes. If your room has drier air, the wall will be dry.

[@johnny1978]

@@Peppermint1 oh okay, I was starting to worry a little bit because I started seeing frozen water droplets inside my brand new mini-fridge. I'm relieved to hear it's normal. By the way, would you happen to know the optimal temperature for a mini-fridge?

[@Peppermint1]

Normal fridge temperature would be around 4C or 40F however the problem is the temperature knob has digits that don't always indicate the temperature, but rather are a simple scale for cooling down. To add more confusion, it's not always clear which side of the scale corresponds with the coldest temperature setting. It is better to read the owners manual for your model to get the correct information about the temperature knob

[@FoodFollow]

Thank you!!!

[@Peppermint1]

Welcome

[@e.e.e]

@@Peppermint1 What else could it be? My fridge made big puddles for a week and will not cool. The hole is now clean and it's been several hours it will not get cold, it is barely cool. Please read my original 2 long comments with details. I am disabled, living in a motel and the mgr will not help me to get a new one. I have pain in my gut from food poisoning every day.

[@Peppermint1]

@@e.e.e That drain hole is not related with the cooling of the fridge, even when it's blocked, the fridge should still be cooling properly. Inside the fridge the rear wall gets cold and thus cools down the inside. Try touching the rear wall (inside the fridge) see if it's cold. Try to adjust the temperature knob (near the light) to a higher number. Listen if you hear the compressor running behind the fridge - careful not to trap the power cable under the fridge so it doesn't get cut. If you don't have power at all and not light either, maybe the cable has a cut in it, unplug it from the wall and look closely at it.

[@Peppermint1]

@@e.e.e Also insert a wire from behind the fridge, where the hole is existing, remove the tray if possible, and you should be able to insert the wire so it comes out inside the fridge. This will clear perfectly the drain. But again, this is not related to the fridge not cooling down properly.

[@e.e.e]

@@Peppermint1 Thanks so much for your kind replies. The light is on the inside "ceiling" it has no knob to adjust temperature. The maid had told me these Danby fridges do not have temp control. The back wall right now is wet and dripping. It goes from iced (which is the normal when it was working properly) to dripping wet droplets to lukewarm. It seems to stop and start. I removed the cabinet's back panel and wiped the cooler bottle w/damp sponge and paper towel, then plugged it back. It would not make the start noise. Yes, the light is on when I open the door. After 30 min the start noise kicked in but it is barely cool inside, the back wall is dripping wet not iced. I woke up middle of the night, same thing. I woke up 4 hours later, same thing. Then around 9 AM it iced the back wall. It's back and forth. What do I need to do please? I do not have a phillips tool to remove the panel that collects water at back. Thank you for all your help, I just need to be here a few more months and need a working fridge & the mgr is a bu ll y who started ab u s ing me verbally this morning when I tried to explain the problem

[@earthlycreature8772]

My mini cooler has exactly the same problem where the condenser inside the fridge is all wet and dripping water but it also makes gurgling sounds and I don't see any fan cooling the compressor (and in this video either). Also, is it okay to day out the condenser with a towel of a hair dryer. Can you please shed some light. Thanks.

[@Peppermint1]

Gurgling sounds are pretty ok with these little fridges. May use a towel without problems with dry it off. Careful when you move it, the power cable gets trapped under the rear of the fridge where is a sharp metal bar, and the cable gets cuts and exposed electric wire

[@earthlycreature8772]

@@Peppermint1 I just took the cooler out and observed the drain over the compressor completely clogged. Cleaned it out thoroughly and turned it back on to check for any leaks or watery condenser (shall update). The gurgling sound was never there before and is back on as soon as I plugged it in. It's quite annoying at nights and disturbs sleep. Any solution to quiet it down? Also these little coolers don't have any fan to keep the compressor cool. Much appreciated for your response.

[@e.e.e]

Hi, can you please help me? I've had food poisoning several times! Found lots of big puddles on the floor. I cleaned the hole. Yesterday, it had a sheet of ice clogging it, I removed it. Found this video. I am disabled so it was hard for me. When I unplugged it, I pulled it but it's inside a cabinet and the panel at back does not let me access the container. I have this very Danby (your 1st mini fridge). I put a small scraper inside the hole and it's clean, it touched the bottom container. Do I still need to open it? aMaybe something else going on? Please reply please hel;p me The fridge stopped cooling 2 days ago & got food poisoning after breakfast After I cleaned the hole that day, it made the ice again in the back wall. But then it stopped cooling yesterday again got food poisoning and now I have stomach cramps. Last night it quit cooling even though I checked that the hole was clean. First it made ice from the droplets top back wall. I just opened it. It's barely cool. There are no puddles on the floor but no ice droplets, liquid drops again. What do I do? I live in a motel and the manager is nasty and will not replace it. Currently being evicted. Please help me. I am too sick to keep having food poisoning and cannot go out daily to buy food. I need special foods. Thanks

[@e.e.e]

PS: there is a LOT of dust (almost 1 inch) caked on every visible part at back. Could that be it? It's on the big black bottle and all over the parts. I do not think there is any dust on the container because that is protected since it is screwed and my scraper tool came out clean. What can I do? *What other thing do you think could make it stop cooling* ? The fridge noise stops and will not start upon re-plugging it. Other times it'll make the noise like it starts and the wall sides go from hot to cool. Inside walls of fridge go from sorta cool to very cold but not since last night. I slept and do not know what happened at night, but there's no puddle and no ice droplets nor frost at back wall. It's watery. Thank you for your time.

[@Peppermint1]

@@e.e.e If there is a lot of dust on the compressor, it's worth cleaning it up, it may cause the compressor to overheat which would trigger it's relay intermittently and turn it off until it cools down. It has a temperature sensor somewhere to prevent it from overheating.

[@e.e.e]

@@Peppermint1 Thank you. I will pull it out from the wall again later. It is hard to clean because of a wood panel that is fixed on top but warps out at the bottom. I did turn the button all the way the other way, but then I realized that I have been living here almost 3 years, and the fridge was cooling normally, so if I turned it counter-clockwise, that means I would shut it. I did turn it when I removed the caked on dust. Then turned it back to the maximum. Will try to dust it more later on.

[@verynick]

How often should you empty the drain pan?

[@wonderplanet343]

Never need to. It evaporates