Refrigerator Troubleshooting Repair not cooling - Compressor starter relay 

Man, seven years ago that this video has being posted and still teaching; Bro you have help me with something very simple, but so important (The Fan) but if I wouldn’t see it in your video I will miss it completely… (As at this moment literally I don’t have any $$ for technicians to diagnose, much less to fix it) you have no idea how much I appreciate the fact that I save “the money” that I don’t have for technicians labor, cost, etc Now my refrigerator is working again! thank you so much!!! Money saver! Ps. I say a simple thing because the fan that is Close to the motor had to be always working running.. ..well a freaking little thing 😂 was just under the fan and didn’t let him to move, I did not see it from the outside so when I pull off everything I clearly see what was on the way and I just remove it. That was it .😅!! Still the fact that you provide all the info from the beginning in a simple manner.. simplify my life when I start to checking everything the way you said! thank you again.

Great job Adam, it sums up the reasons why a fridge wouldn't cool but with a really good visual guide

Got a TRUE refrigerator here in England, I love the old Sokol quality, this is a horse, and it’s full of beer and cider . Nice clear explanation.thanks

Great video. I saw a video, where the inside fan was running, but the repair man, knew by experience, that it did not sound right - the inside fan. He suspected it was not running at the right rpm. He ordered a new fan and it sounded right and gave the proper air circulation. The fridge he was working on had other issues, but a fan that was going bad but still working did not help. The fan did not make any weird noises that would indicate there was anything wrong but the repair man knew by the pitch of the fan it was not spinning at the right rpm.

Thank you AdamDIY! this video helped me troubleshoot my wine cooler.

Hey Adam, just want to say this was very helpful information. I’m in commercial hvac/r and I’m just getting into the refrigeration side trying to learn as much as I can so, thank you!

Amazing and clear explanation, thank you Adam!

Nice and clear. Well done Adam!

Exactly what I needed to know.. THANKS..

Thank you! Very helpful information!!!

Great video with details.

Great video very useful information.

appreciate your video. Thanks.

Good video

GOOD VIDEO ...THANKS

Great video, very detailed. Could you post a video on how to change the thermostat, thanks in advance

Thanks man! Going to work on mine now.

Thanks for sharing

Another great video. I like how you go over the parts and give different situations (say this part isn't making a noise...etc).

Great vid. Short and to the point. Can't tell you how many vids I've watched and recieved everything that's going on with thier day instead of staying on point. Anyhoo. Thanks. I have a 2 part question. If I find there is a leak, can I put freon through the valve you pushed to test for freon? Second part question is: how do I go about fixing the leak? Thanks

Thank u so much Mine was not working and after watching your DIY video, I checked by myself and fibd put that my compacitior was not working Replaced and it’s running very smoothly So again thank u so much I saved roughly about $120 to $150.00 For the hvac tech

Wow. Thank you for the clean walk through! Very helpful/educational

Thanks for helping me GBU

Thanks brother

Cool video, thank you for posting it Adam!

Thank you!

Hi Adam I have a True Bar fridge similar to your video. It powers on for a few seconds then stays off for a while then on for a few seconds. I cleaned the fins which were very dirty but no luck ,,,any ideas as to what I should change? Any advice would be appreciated..thanks Glen

Hello Adam, Thanks for the video ! Everything looks good that you request I check the compressor does not kick on and coil fan doesn’t come on. I did replace the temp switch thermostat a few years back an it worked fine , but that’s when it wasn’t cooling all the way. Could a faulty thermostat cause the compressor not to come on at all? Thanks for the help

nice thanks for sharing!!!!!!

Great video, do these have a defrost and timer? Have a fridge that won't stop freezing. Goes down to 20F. Thanks

Hi mr Adam.Great vid. I woul like to ask about something i encounter days ago. I found that some commercial fredges have a basin and a pipe inside that sucks the water.... I found it well dry and it seem to be working fine for some time. I just suspect that oil or water should be put periodically ? its a polar and also a Appolo. Thank you

Best video I've found, straight forward and straight to the possible problems. Thanks

Thank you! I am not sure what the issue is with ours yet, but your video was great and compared to most I have seen, YOU need to do more! Like how to test different parts and such. I am sure you would do great! Thanks !

Thank you

It looks like the relay is good. Is it possible for the temp sensor to go bad? Thank you.

appreciate the advice, my true stopped cooling, u can hear the fans just no cold air

Hi Adam I have a true beer cooler similar to the one in video it has a fired starter relay wondering what site u order ur relay from having trouble locating one

I am working on the same system. The fridge itself is making a clicking noise like if it's trying to start. The condenser fan is not turning on unless I manually give it a spin and the compressor is not pumping refrigerant. The start capacitor has some yellow stuff coming out of it. Could the start capacitor be the problem?

I'm looking for that exact start relay model. What is the link you purchased your starter?

Adam! Question I got a true tssu-48-12 we had several power outages and the fridge was hot on the inside. I change the temperature control knob and it cool but not cold what I do notice is that the compressor is kicking on and off like a minute apart! Any help will be appreciated

I've got a Criotec standing glass door cooler being used for produce storage. Worked fine all last year and has for many years, and then, suddenly last October it was still plugged in and running, but reading a temperature of 90, instead of 35 that it had been maintaining. It sat unplugged over the winter and then was turned on again this spring. It has been cooling well for about 2 days at a time, and then the inside temp goes to up to about 90 again. I cleaned a bunch of pet fur and dust off of the coil underneath, thinking that it was just overheating, and it cooled just fine again for a couple of days, then became hot. Any ideas? Had it plugged in for about an hour or so today after sitting for 24 hours unplugged, and it didn't cool at all. I'm hearing the compressor cycle, but not actually turning off, just a slightly different sound.

Do you know if there is a way to determine whether someone put the wrong refrigerant in your back bar cooler. Really would appreciate your help.

We have a LG refrigerator (LTC 22350SS) where the freezer is in the 0-5 degree range but bottom refrigerator is only cooing to 50 degrees. We bought it used and cleaned it out so there were no frozen lines. Wondering if this is a fan motor or maybe an evaporator fan or maybe a starter relay? Thank you.

On the thermal overload you have 2 wires. Are they the common/neutral wires? Is one of them from L1 and the other from comdemser motor neutral wire?

Hi Adam, I have old cooler use R12, someone just repaired and right now working but the compressor when kick on have a loud noise. He said the compressor needs to replace but he said they not make anymore. What do you think? Thank you 🙏

you are awesome

That came to mind, but I never see any water from the ice after it has not been cooling, have the bad cover off so I can see that there is never a large amount of water in the evaporation pan. My thinking is it goes into defrost mode and for some reason the compressor will not restart. Since I had the unit, the longest it has run is 5 days, and that was after I replaced the start relay and capacitor on the compressor. I have checked the compressor per Bill's video and it checks good, right in line with the specs on spec sheet. Any other ideas on what to check next would be greatly appreciated. Regards, Jim garris

Please help me out, how to wire condensor fan, capacitor , overload and start relay wires on true t 23 refrigerator

I have the same exact cooler but mine gets cold just not as cold as it should. It used to leak water inside so we would have bowls to catch the water, but now it hasn’t been doing that so I’m wondering what the problem could be. I did order new gaskets because the ones that are on there now aren’t sealing very well. Any thoughts?

Fan motor sounds like fin is hitting something, but nothing seems out of wack. is there suppose to be some play on the fan blades. my fan fan shaft has a little wiggle room on it.

How do you know that Freon was the refrigerant used in this system?

Hey Adam I've been trying to figure out what's wrong with my comercial bar fridge like the one you were working on. It's not cooling. Can you help me?

Awsome video

Problem , I have a True GDM-10 it stopped cooling . I took off front grill and put a fan in front of the radiator cool forcing air through it and the fridge works perfectly . The internal fan is working behind the coil. What do you think is going on?

Hi. I have a true gdm-47. bought used. Doesn't cool below 48. Repair guy out checked freon - blew out fins. Said nothing wrong. Said everything seems to be working. Obviously it's not. The compressor and fan area are LOUD - and I do mean loud. And they seem to put out a lot of heat. Any idea what I can check?

Hello, question for you. Simon my fridge all of the stuff you spoke about are fine. Except for the fans inside. They don’t spin there is 3 of them and none of them spin. Is there a relay for those or a way to check them? Mine stopped working after a power surge and now the fridge won’t cool plus everything cuts off after a few minutes of running. I’m guessing cuz these fans aren’t running. Please help!

having a problem with the inside fins/ cooling lines freezing up after about a week. I have an older Rapid 3 tower kegerator and when it's not frozen it keep a nice temp. The kegerator is in my outside bar and not sure if that makes a difference

I'm working on a Randell refrigerator. All of the the parts you went over are working on mine. Compressor is on, starter relay is in perfect condition. Not sure what else to check

I have a true refrigerator blow warm air but I check the relay is good I also I replace a thermostat but still blow warm air I put the gauge in low side read 45 psig. How much psig will be good. Thank you

Mt T-19FZ (True freezer) works but it has become increasingly noisy. Called in a tech who advised to just let it run until it dies but doesn't sound like a prudent approach. Any hint as to why everything works but it is very noisy(condenser/compressor unit)

U have a video how to change dryer?

Hi Adam, nothing turning on in bottom of the unit, compressor & fan will not come on, so how do I check thermostat at the top (i.e. broken always thinking its cold) vs. electronics in the bottom (i.e. on-signal is issued but nothing runs).

Hello Adam, I found a Rockstar Beverage Cooler fans turn on but it doesn't Cool, can you help with this issue and Thank You very much. I would like to make a Dry Curing Chamber out of it.

I know this is 5 years old so probably a long shot but I’ve got a McCall commercial fridge and it’s actually heating up the inside of the fridge. Not just “not cooling.” It feels like cold air at the condenser. I’m about to start ripping into it and looking for issues. Just hoping maybe you might have a starting point. Compressor and fan are both running.

Is there anyway we can bypass relay temporarily till we get part

I was working on unit like that but my model is mtrp5731 relay but I can’t seem to find one or replacement for it I’m not trying to use the supco bc they r only a temporary fix only if u r able to find one for me can u send me the link that would be great

hey sir can you make video step by step of charging r134a for comercial refrigrator ?

Hello i just watched your video and im not sure if this will work dor my coke cola display machine?

If you have a short circuit at the terminals, the compressor is bad?

Hi Adam, I’m having difficulties with a beverage Cooler. I’ve done all the necessaries, I would say, however, this thing is still not cooling to capacity. Please HELP!

Hey Adam! My commercial fridge is accumulating water inside the water is not being drained out, I have already cleaned the hole thing, unclog the drain but after a week it start again ..... what should I be looking for now?

Hi Adam my commercial refrigerator is running light jerking and unusual acceleration please advise.

I have a commercial beverage cooler that won't cool. I have changed the start relay,thermal protected for the compressor, the capacitor, and the thermostat. The compressor keeps clicking but won't start. Both fans are working. I metered out the prongs on the compressor and they seem to be within specs no prongs on the compressor have a short to ground. I'm stumped. The refrigerator is a Avanti BCA 280. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

My question is can the internal thermometer go bad I can't seem to get the outside thermometer that shows temp to go above 44 degrees. I have thermometers inside and they tell me the temp is 30-34 degrees. For Licensing I need to insure the outside temp is working correctly. How do I replace it!

So we do have ice building up over the fans inside the fridge? Whats the problem?

This is a hail Mary pass but here goes... have kelvenator kcpt92.12 pulled some of the parts out and tested them. It is believed to be relay but the issue is I can't remember how to rewire. Any advice? I know it was asinine...

where CAN I get relay 3arr12 KPF498?

Hi Adam, I have a similar unit, the temp reader shows more than 11 degrees, when I switch off and switch on the unit it comes down to normal temp (below 4 degrees). Could you please tell what could be issue here?

What I got is a true glass front retrieve in a hotel I maintenance for it isn't cooling I checked and cleaned like you said there is a clicking noise occurs every 30 seconds or so and it seems like it isnrt doing whatever that click is intended to do I can't tell f he compressor is running because it's too loud and how it's positioned what could the click noise be ?

Hi well I didn't know what I was doing & left the power on & began to work on this refrig. & Zapp I got shocked pretty badly, still can't feel my fingers and part of my arm is numb. The ironic thing is the song SHOCK ME from KISS was playing at the time!?!?

Hi Adam. Can I ask some help with my fridge? It's not cooling, but there is a sounds like a running water inside the freezer and it has some water in it. Hope you reply, thank you

What size hard start kit do this work with ??????

if one could get a commercial fridge (kegerator) for essentially free, is it typically worth trying to get it and repair it? or would a potential refrigerant leak make it not worth the time to pick it up?

Hi. I have true GDM-47 and it wants to turn on but then shuts off and just clicks every few seconds while running kinda rough. What could be causing this?

Hi Adam, I have a commercial TRUE single door refrigerator. It stopped cooling. I can here compressor running and can feel hot air around unit. I unplugged the power for a day next day I plugged power, waited for hour and refrigerator started cooling it did reach desired temp also. However it stopped cooling but i can still hear compressor running.

i have a true gdm12 that wont go below 42 degree. what should i be looking at? the thermostat is at the coldest setting.

that relay is a current relay. it's coil is energized by lock rotor amps off the run winding. During start up the start cap is not energized causing the run winding to pull Lra. when it hits the amount of amps that the current relay energizes at, the plunger inside the relay is sucked up and the contacts close between 1&2 causing the start cap to come into the circuit. that extra "boost" will bring the compressor up to speed, which lowers the run winding amps. The relay then cuts out of the circuit at about 75% compressor speed. Now your compressor is up and running and you can take your lock rotor amps and divide by 5-7 and that is what your running avoid should be. You can ohm out the relay between 1&2. in an upright position with no word hooked up out should read OL. if you flip it upside-down, between 1&2 it should read closed or close to 0 ohms.

Hi I’ve got an under counter fridge and it’s not cooling as it should be , it’s not cool at all on the inside however the compressor at the back is very hot , any ideas of how to fix it

Hi Adam , I need your help. My true freezer make a clicking sound every 1 or 2 minutes. Is the starter relay bad or capacitor bad?

Hi there looking for an old walk in fridge relay

nic one

Would you show me how to connect the control panel for commercial refrigerator avanto refrigerator.relay also

Hi dear . My fridge have problem about compressor running non stop ... We have been set temperature is 5 degree ... But compressor keep running even below 5 degree .... Even we try push the defrost control but compressor keep running .... Do you have any ideas why ?

First off, your video's have been very helpful, able to confirm my compressor is good. My problem is with a Dutch door model maytag( MFI2568AES) that will run great for a few days, than stop cooling, ( freezer and refrigerator areas). It sounds like everything is working, can hear and feel that both fans, put my hand on compressor and it is not running. Have the spec sheet, ran through the service checks and it indicated everything was working. The main control board has been replaced, same problem before and after replacing, have since replaced compressor relay and compactor. Ran for 5 days, though I had it fixed, then same thing. Have not seen this problem addressed in any of your videos, hoping you can help. Regards, Jim garris

The copper pipe need to be washed or not? If needed how long it need to be washed

Hi I have a undercounter fridge the Temperature is going up and down its not gas its sitting problem can you help me with that thanks a million...

Hello i have a commercial refrigerator and i had a couple different guys come and fix it but it's still building ice. The first guy said it was a freon leak and replaced the pipes and added more freeon. He also replaced the rubber gasket to make sure it was sealed properly. The second guy said it was the thermostat and replaced it. The fridge keeps running nonstop, I feel it cooling but it starts to build up ice and blocks the air from coming out. When i turn it off to thaw out it takes 2 days to get to 40°. I don't know what to do anymore. The 2nd guy came back like 3 times to try to check other things but can't find anything wrong with it.

Thanks buddy. Your video was great. We have a true freezer T-49F which has stopped cooling and become very noisy. Do you have any ideas that what the problem could be? Thanks!

Hey Great videos, i have a question i have a 3 door sandwich prep refrigerator who was building up ice in the evaporator and i added freon to correct the issue, that was about 4 months ago but a couple of weeks water was dripping off the driping pan like the coil wasnt working properly somehow i added some more freon but the system is not cooling the way it should, i hear the compressor running fine and everything else seems to be working ok, what do you think i should check on? thanks

very helpful. I wanted to know what's the small round part next to the overload and what's it's function. thanks