Help... Unplugged refrigerator in garage, cleaned out, won't work

[dixie]

Somehow the refrigerator in our garage got unplugged and everything spoiled of course. Anyway, after hours of cleaning out the rotten mess, plugged it back in and the light comes on but the compressor doesn't come on. It worked perfectly prior to being unplugged.

So do any of you have any ideas on what else we might try? It was a great refrigerator. Is there a reset button or something? It is a Whirlpool.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[taterhed]

It could be in the defrost cycle or have a 'reset' timer.

Did you leave it turned on and plugged in for a while?

Most ref. repairs are easy and cheap.

If it's the compressor, you could try tapping it to get it started...but not usually successful with newer fridges.

 

[DaveNV]

Is the temperature dial turned down? If it's at or above room temperature, the compressor may not need to run.

Dave

 

[Makai Guy]

Is the temperature dial turned down? If it's at or above room temperature, the compressor may not need to run.

Good thought. Would be very easy to move that setting while thoroughly cleaning.

 

[Talent312]

Tluids from the mess or the clean up may have caused a short. It may need to dry.

Pull the plug & set the temp to off (or as high as it goes). After a suitable period, plug in then and adjust the setting... If nothing happens, take a hammer to it. <kidding>.
.

 

[DeniseM]

Curious: how in the heck did it get unplugged?

 

[dwojo]

If the compressor motor is accessible see if something is preventing it from turning. Make sure the refridgerator is unplugged first.

 

[Passepartout]

My feeling: If plugging it back in, rotating the thermostat back and forth, looking around, down in the 'works' of the thing for a reset button and tapping the motor/compressor doesn't work, it's above my pay grade and either bite the bullet and call a service guy or scrap it for a new one that's probably more efficient anyway.

Jim

 

[balc453]

Some refrigerators have an overload device on the side of the compressor unit. Check for a button and with it unplugged press the button then plug it in and see if the compressor will run. Be sure the thermostat is set to about 40 degrees F.

 

[VacationForever]

Is it possible that someone found that it was not working and then unplugged it?

My freezer stopped working and after it was repaired, I had to adjust the temperature on the door as the default was set as some strange temperature.

 

[nkldavy]

Youtube ...

... recommend looking up troubleshooting with make and model.
Uncle Davey

 

[Debbie118]

I have never tried this site but you may want to look at www.repairclinic.com

Good Luck!

 

[BJRSanDiego]

Good thought. Would be very easy to move that setting while thoroughly cleaning.

I hope that Dixie comes back and tells us what they found.

I think that what BMWguy and Makai guy mentioned are quite likely. Since it was working when it got unplugged, it seems unlikely that something like the motor or compressor would have catastrophically failed.

I've fixed 2 or 3 refrigerators around here and each time the thing that failed was the temperature control/thermostat. They are not all that hard to replace if you get the exact replacement and are easy to trouble shoot with a multi-meter. But if you don't have one in many cases if you just listen very closely as you rotate the control knob, they usually make a soft "click" at the set-point. If it doesn't click, it is suspect.

 

[e.bram]

I think taterhead has got it right. The defrost timer could be in the middle of it's cycle or defective. Give it a while to see if it starts. If not check the defrost timer. it is a plug in device if bad can be easily replaced.

 

[BJRSanDiego]

I think taterhead has got it right. The defrost timer could be in the middle of it's cycle or defective. Give it a while to see if it starts. If not check the defrost timer. it is a plug in device if bad can be easily replaced.

Yes, that is also a likely culprit.

 

[raygo123]

Knowing nothing about something and something about it, I go with talent 312. Every one has their hammer, screwdriver, and knife to give it that just right TOUCH.

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[funtime]

Look on Craigs list for a replacement

I was moving and sold a perfectly good fridge for $100. There are many situations where someone wants to unload an old fridge. See if the old one qualifies for a $50 energy rebate with the electric company for turning it in.

 

[rapmarks]

just checking , my freezer must have stopped working, everything is defrosted. calling around in the am, Labor Day Weekend, and we have to leave town next week to babysit. this could be a real mess.

 

[Passepartout]

See if the old one qualifies for a $50 energy rebate with the electric company for turning it in.

They have to be working to qualify for that.

 

[Passepartout]

this could be a real mess.

Maybe already is. Or on the other hand, there might be a world class BBQ over the weekend!

Jim

 

[raygo123]

If all else fails make some foodbank happy, may be tax deduction and you don't even have to worry about it.

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[DeniseM]

If all else fails make some foodbank happy, may be tax deduction and you don't even have to worry about it.

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This is not a good idea at all - what if you gave a lot of people food poisoning?

 

[raygo123]

Didn't realize started Aug 30th

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[Patri]

Dixie, we have to hear the ending!

 

[rapmarks]

I called a local appliance store at 8:30. someone came out at ten. It is the compressor. need a new refrigerator. store owner called. I need bisque and I need a cabinet moved. He is checking warehouse, is pretty sure he has one. His men will move the cabinet for me because refrigerator is two inches taller. he would bring it out today. I am hoping that he finds that refrigerator in the warehouse. It is garbage day and I already filled one can, but would love to save the rest.
Lucky for us, we were supposed to be gone all week, we would have come home to a mess.