Tips for Resolving a Refrigerator That Keeps Running:

A refrigerator is an appliance that can maintain the duration when it runs and when it turns off, it does that so that there isn’t too much frozen in the fridge also not less cooling that the things kept in the refrigerator will become rotten that is why it turns off and on according to the required settings but, what if someday your refrigerator keeps running, and doesn’t turn off even for a second? That means there is something wrong, you should check it for any repairing or replacing parts. 

Here are some problems listed below that might be causing the refrigerator to keep running. In this blog, we will also tell you how to fix the problem easily and efficiently. If you read it carefully you may also find a cause for your refrigerator and may be able to locate and fix it easily.

Problems that keep the refrigerator running:

Dirty Condenser Coil:

A dirty condenser coil can be a common reason because if they are dirty it will heat the refrigerator and to cool it down it will keep running, they must work harder to cool it down so that it can maintain its temperature.

You can check if the coil is dirty by following these steps:

1. The initial step is to turn the switch off.
2. Now, move it away from the wall.
3. Locate the coil of the condenser, it might be under the refrigerator.
4. Check the coils if they are dirty or frozen. 
5. Clean them.
6. Now turn the freezer back on and see if it works properly.

Cleaning the dirty coil:

1. Firstly, take off the cage from the condenser.
2. Now take the air vacuum cleaner and remove the dust from the condenser. 
3. Now if the condenser is clean, 
4. Fit the cage back.
5. Turn it on and see if the problem is solved.

Malfunctioned Defrost timer:

A malfunctioned defrost timer is the most common issue it will let your refrigerator run constantly. The main function of defrost timer is that it tells the compressor when to turn off and on when the condenser turns off it is enough time so that it can easily defrost the ice frozen inside the refrigerators, but if the defrost timer is broken the condenser can not turn off properly according to time.

So to check if it is broken use the following steps:

1. Turn off the power supply of the refrigerator.
2. Locate the defrost timer it has various locations according to the model of the fridge mostly have them at the bottom of the fridge while some have them behind the fridge. You should check the manual to find out the exact location.
3. Now that you have found the timer look if it is mechanical or electrical.
4. Next, if it is electrical you need to use a multimeter to check its continuity if there is no continuity you need to replace it.
5. But, if it is mechanical use a screwdriver to take it out and hear a tick sound if you hear it that means it has activated but if you don’t hear it, it means that the heater didn’t turn on and it needs to be replaced.

Replacing a Defrost Timer:

1. Firstly, turn off the power to the refrigerator.
2. Now take the shelf out, so that you can access the appliance parts.
3. Next, loose the screw attaching the assembly, the timer will be in the assembly.
4. Loosen the two screws from the assembly flip over and take out the defrost timer.
5. Now, replace it with a new one connect the wires of the new timer, and fix it back into assembly add the screw and flip it back.
6. Attach it back now, and add it back to the shelf.
7. Turn the refrigerator back on.

Defrost Heater:

If the defrost timer seems all right that means that the defrost heater might be fluctuating. A defrost heater helps in defrosting the ice and melts it.

Here is a way to check if the heater is working properly.

1. First, turn off the power supply.
2. Now to locate it you need to remove the covering of the freezer.
3. Next, locate the heater tube, and use the multi-meter to test continuity.
4. If the multimeter doesn’t show continuity that means it is time to replace it.
5. But, if it shows continuity that means that there is nothing wrong with it, there might be some other problem.

Replacing The Heater:

1. The initial step is to unplug your appliance.
2. Remove if anything is stored in the freezer and take the contents out.
3. Next, remove the shelves of the freezer.
4. Now, cover the drain hole with tape so the screw doesn’t fall in it.
5. Mostly, you don’t need to remove the light bulb but if you need to remove it and see the back panel of the freezer. 
6. Unscrew it and look for the heater it might be with the defrost coils. 
7. Let them be defrosted before taking out the heater.
8. Some heaters are connected with wire from the sides while some are connected by wire clips.
9. Cut the wire and install the new heater get all the wires connected and then.
10. Screw the panel back.
11. Now turn the power on to see if it is working.

Termination Thermostate:

This particular device functions as a signal giver, it gives the defrost heater signal when to stop the defrosting cycle if it becomes faulty there wouldn’t be anything giving a command for the heater to turn off and on. 

You can check it by using the following steps.

1. Turn off the refrigerator’s electric supply.
2. Next, locate the thermostat you will find it in the evaporating tubing.
3. Use a multimeter to check for continuity,
4. If it shows continuity that means it is working properly.
5. But, if it shows discontinuity that means it needs to be replaced.
6. For replacing it with a new one, we will advise you to find a professional and ask him to replace it.

Refrigerator Door and Freezer Door Gasket:

The door gasket helps to close the door perfectly so that the cooling of the freezer doesn’t get out. If the gasket is faulty the the door won’t shut which will result in a meltdown inside the freezer, Not only that but also the lower the temperature the more the freezer will run. 

You can check your door gasket by following the test:

1. Firstly take a piece of paper and stick it inside the freezer door if it is working properly it will be really hard to pull the paper out, if not it will come out easily.
2. Next, check the corners of shelves if they are sticking out.
3. Now, check if there is any obstruction between the door and the freezer and remove it.
4. Then check if there is moisture on the gasket if yes then it is time to replace it.
5. Also, check if there is any sign of wear and tear in the gasket if it is replaced the gasket.

Condenser Fan Motor:

Many new models of refrigerators have the function of a condenser fan which cools down the different motors so that they don’t heat up. But if they malfunction there might be a problem it won’t cool down the motor and due to constant working, it will heat up.

 To check the condenser fan motor.

1. Make sure the power is unplugged.
2. Next, take off the back of the refrigerator covering you are going to see a condenser fan near the compressor.
3. Check to see if there is any obstruction, if there is clean it with a vacuum cleaner.
4. Now, take a multimeter and check if it shows continuity or not if not replace it.
5. If it does screw everything back again and turn on the power supply.
6. For replacing the motor we advise you to find a professional as it is very risky and might cause further damage to the refrigerator if not done by professionals.

Evaporator fan motor:

The last component that can be defected might be the evaporator fan motor. It helps the evaporator to work properly you can hear it easily in the freezer compartment.

To check it use the following steps:

1. Turn off the power supply.
2. Now take off the panel.
3. See if the fan is frozen if it is defrosted and see if it is damaged somehow, like a broken blade or a problem in the fan unit if there is we need to replace it.
4. Now check the fan shaft if it can move correctly if not replace it.
5. Check the fan motor continuity with a multimeter if it shows continuity it is fine but if it shows discontinuity then replace it.
6. When you replace it, then turn on the power supply to see if it works properly.
7. To replace this fan motor we request you find a professional and let him replace it so it will work properly.

We hope that this blog will help you figure out the cause of the problem, and will help you fix it. What happens if none of the listed problems are causing the refrigerator to keep running? Now it’s time to spend some money and buy a new one.