When your refrigerator refuses to turn on, it's natural to feel a sense of urgency. However, the issue may be resolved swiftly, preventing your food from spoiling. Start by checking the lights in the refrigerator compartment. If they don't work, the problem may be related to the power cable or socket, which can often be fixed without professional intervention.
If the refrigerator remains unresponsive, consider a few common causes. Check the thermostat by bridging the wires approaching it. If the refrigerator starts, the sensor will likely need replacement. Similarly, a malfunctioning defrost button can be diagnosed using the same method.
Should the thermoregulator and defrost buttons pass the test but the refrigerator still fails to operate, it's possible that the motor compressor's electricity has encountered a fault. In such cases, professional assistance is essential. Common motor problems include winding breakage, intercurrent short circuits, and compressor short circuits on the body. Diagnosis requires the use of an ohmmeter to measure the resistance between the motor contacts. A less than 20 ohms value may indicate a short circuit within the winding.
If all these options have been thoroughly checked and the refrigerator remains inactive, consider the possibility of oxidation of contacts. Although identifying the problem area may be time-consuming, repairing the refrigerator in such cases is feasible.
