Replacing the Start Relay to Fix My Deep Freezer 

New video just went live. It's how to remove the relay cover. Hope it helps! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mcLHk1xYCrs.html

It is below in the video description.

That's what I like to hear!

I tested the relay with the meter set to ohms, to test for resistance. By touching the probes of the meter to the relays connections, I was able to determine one of them had an issue in 2 out 3 tests on it. Honestly, at the time, I thought it was a long shot which is why I did not film the initial testing. I simply didn't think I was going to be able identify a fixable part. Maybe I will do a video on how to use a multi meter, it's not a hard tool to use but it would be difficult to explain in the comments.

yes

I was able to search ZHB69-135P4.7 I think my model (HHM5SM AWW) is slightly different, though. Mine doesn't have the capacitor he's showing. If you look carefully, you should be able to see the part # etched on the relay and might be able to see it w/o having to first take it off.

Yes, I will work on creating a video covering this.

Just released a video going over how to remove the cover! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mcLHk1xYCrs.html

No I do not. I did test it but I did it behind the scenes. I did not want to get into how to use a multimeter simply because they are far too technical to explain to most people who have no interest in learning how electricity works and I am nowhere near qualified enough to teach how electricity works. I would prefer to leave that for a master electrician who will not make a simple mistake explaining something and get torn apart by the "experts" on the internet.

You can buy electrical wire at most hardware stores just make sure it is the same size wire.

I don't have the old relay anymore so I don't know what the model was. A link to the replacement relay used is in the description box

I have the same # on my relay. Were you able to find one with that # or does it matter? I couldn’t find the relay with that #.

My broken relay rattled I thought it was a sign it was broken. The new one also was able to rattle though it seemed quieter. But I cannot say for certain if all the different freezer relays on the market should rattle if you shake them. If you suspect it is the relay my recommendation is replace it. In my opinion it is worth 10-20 dollars to try and fix the freezer. Worst case it doesn't work and you send the relay back. Best case it does fix it and you just saved yourself from spending 200 or more dollars on a new deep freezer. If you have the same relay as mine and use the link on my video I do NOT earn any sort of commission off the sales of the relay so I'm not telling you to buy a relay because it will make me money. I earn nothing, I just want to keep people from throwing out a perfectly good freezer that a 10-20 dollar part can fix.

It could be a compressor issue which would prevent it from getting as cold as possible, or the seal on the door could be damaged not allowing for a proper seal and so the freezer is losing cold air. It could also be as simple as the temperature control was turned down without you noticing it so it is not getting as cold as you prefer.

The link for the start relay I used is in the description. Just make sure it is compatible with the appliance you need it for 😊

@@thediygrunt How did you get the cover off the relay? I am having trouble. Please.

@V New video just went live going over how to remove the cover. Hope it helps ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mcLHk1xYCrs.html

If nothing is turning on (like a indicator light and the compressor) it is possible it could be the relay. Make sure to try plugging into a different outlet though to make sure its not an issue with the one it is currently plugged into. Also check your breaker and make sure it didn't flip. Lastly if it is plugged into a GFCI outlet then just make sure that the GFCI didn't pop as well.

The light bulb could be dead. Or very faint mine tends to only be noticeable when its dark and no lights are on.

I could not find an exact match by searching the number. I ended up finding one that looked exactly the same and took a chance. It happened to work out for me, may not always be the case. For $10, I felt it was worth the risk

@thediygrunt I just did the same, found an Amazon listing that specifically said it's was a universal part and replaced several different part numbers. Took the chance and it worked been running for a couple weeks now withput issues

No, they are not the same. The compressor is responsible for the cooling of the freezer. The relay is basically an electrically activated switch that can open and close. If electricity cannot get past the relay, then the compressor cannot turn on. That was the issue I had, the relay was bad and the electricity could not get past it to turn on the compressor, so i had no cold air. A key take away, was my compressor was not turning on at all so that led me to the relay. If your compressor is turning on and then cycling off, your compressor could be bad. But the relay could also be the issue if it is closing that internal switch when it shouldn't be.

@@thediygrunt I was very surprised. And, grateful for responding to my question as I didn't expect that you would. I noticed my freezer has the same sound as you described. Clicking sound to turn on and run for just about 5 seconds or close to then I heard another clicking sound to turn it off. Rest for about 10 minutes then the clicking sound process repeat again over and over. I bought this insignia chest freezer 10.2 cu.ft one year ago. Maybe because I stock too much stuff in it, and I didn't realize it's overload until the lid didn't close tightly/properly as it should. Less than a week I noticed all my stuff in there didn't freeze anymore. When I paid attention to find out the cause/problem that was when I learned that clicking sound on and off. I asked freezer technician around and explained to him, he said maybe something was wrong with the compressor or neon ( I might use wrong vocabulary). And, they would charge me lots of money. I was afraid it might be not worth it so I decided want to fix it myself. I Google on how safe it is to replace the compressor myself, it said could lead to explosion if I didn't place it correctly. So I lost hope on doing it my own since I'm just a very small woman (4 ft 10) has no any knowledge about it and no tools to measure/evaluate any of those stuff at all. I just happen to like being handy that's all. Once I saw this educational video of yours I started to have high hope again now. I'll try to look for the start relay for insignia chest freezer 10.2 model number NS-CZ10WH6 see if they have it. ThankS again for your kindness and time. I'm sorry for my rambling response, and hope you be able to understand my writing as English is not my first language. 😅😅😅🙏🙏

My experience with freezer repairs is very limited. Remember, I am a DIYer, NOT a professional. I can vouch for what you read online about attempting to replace a compressor. I have lots of tools, but I cannot repair or replace a freezer compressor. Basically, the compressor is an entirely enclosed system meant to reduce the ability of the Freon gas (gas used to make the air cold) from being able to escape. To replace a compressor for a freezer, it involves welding and a fair amount of other work. Typically the cost of the repair (time and labor) and the new compressor is either going to be close to or even more expensive than a new freezer is. I took a chance on the relay because it was the only thing I tested that had an issue. I was lucky that it was something as simple as the relay. If it had been my compressor, I would have been forced to buy a new freezer. In fact, I only posted this video because the relay fixed it and I wanted to let people know they might have a chance to save a $200 or more freezer with a $10 part. If you feel confident in attempting the relay replacement then best of luck and I hope it fixes the freezer. If it does not, I personally recommend buying a new freezer.

@@thediygrunt thank you very much for sharing all information and video. You're such a most kind soul on earth. I'll try to find the relay that compatible with the model that I have, and see if it works. Keep fingers crossed. 😀😀🙏🙏 I'll give you an update once I get a chance to do it. Thanks again!

Will a universal relay work? I cant find this model number anywhere

I couldn't find an exact model number match for mine either. By looking up the model number, I found a replacement relay that appeared to be universal to most models. I compared the photos to the one I had, they looked identical so I decided it was worth taking the chance. For me, it worked out. You'll probably have to use your best judgement like I did.

I replaced this part and it still didn't stay on very long also the relay got pretty hot too

For me, I tested everything I could with a multimeter and the only thing that didn't seem right, was the relay. I wasn't even sure if that was the problem, I just decided to take a chance since the part was like $10. It may be that the relay isn't your problem, it is meant to fail in order to protect the compressor but it could have failed and the compressor could still have been damaged as well. Most freezers are closed systems so if the compressor is bad, you pretty much have to buy a new freezer. I'm not an appliance specialist so I'm afraid I can't really give any other guidance.

@@thediygrunt Did you ever test the pins on the compressor itself to make sure it wasent that? I know that you have to measure between them and the lower 2 numbers added together should equal the higher number of the 3, or close to it....mine unfortunately is 8.3, 9.5 and 15.5...adding the smaller ones is equaling 17.8, so im thinking something is not right with my compressor. What do you think?

If the manufacture didn't build it that way then I'm not going to change it. The first relay lasted about 4 years of continuous use and if it lasts another 3-4 then I will spend 10 dollars and replace it again. At the same time my parents literally have the same model only the smaller version and theirs is like 6 plus years old and had no issues at all so who knows what will happen or what caused the first relay to die.

No. My deep freezer was dead. Literally not running at all. I replaced this part and its been running just fine for the last 2 plus years.

I'm not sure what you mean by alternator... Deep freezers don't have alternators

@@thediygrunt that’s what the repair guy was telling me 🤷‍♂️ it’s a wood’s brand model C07NAA K0 there is power but it doesn’t freeze so I have no idea any advice ? I checked their website and parts are discontinued then the repairmen told me the part is called Wp4-35940-001 Thermostat

I did a separate video just to cover that because of so much feedback asking how to get that cover off. I did not expect the cover to be such a pain when I did the video and my focus was to show a simple replacement that might save an otherwise perfectly good freezer from being thrown out.