One of the types of damage to the refrigerator is that the refrigerator not cooling but freezer is fine. Generally the condition of damage like this is not too severe. Because the cooling system is still running well.
The problem is that the dispersal of cold air is not happening properly. So that only the freezer area is cold, while the refrigerator is not cold.
Reason refrigerator not cooling but freezer is fine
The main cause of the refrigerator not cooling while the freezer is fine is because the defrost system in the refrigerator is not functioning normally. Defrost is useful for melting ice coral that forms in the area around the evaporator.
For those of you who don’t know, the evaporator is a cooling pipe that is useful for producing low-temperature air. The location of the evaporator is behind the freezer. You have to open the back cover of the freezer room so you can see the condition of the evaporator area.
The cold temperature produced by the evaporator is exhaled by the evaporator fan into the freezer room and into the air duct leading to the refrigerator.
When the refrigerator is operating, the temperature around the evaporator is very cold. This condition causes the formation of a layer of ice coral in the evaporator area. Therefore, if it is not thawed, it will accumulate and cover the evaporator area.
In some cases it can even inhibit the rotation of the evaporator fan, causing the refrigerator not to cool.
To melt the ice coral that forms in the evaporator room, the refrigerator is equipped with a defrost system. The defrost system will periodically melt the ice coral around the evaporator pipe network.
Damage to the defrost system can cause the refrigerator not to work normally, one symptom of the damage is that the refrigerator is not cold but the freezer is fine.
How to fix it ?
To repair damage to the refrigerator because the defrost system doesn’t work, we have to check the components of the defrost system one by one. As a system, the refrigerator defrost feature consists of several components:
- Timer. To set when the defrost time to start working.
- Thermofuse. Prevents damage from overheating.
- Defrost sensor. Detect the temperature around the evaporator
- Heaters. Heating the evaporator area to melt the ice coral.
Now it’s time to examine the components in the refrigerator defrost system.
1. Timer
The timer is used to set the defrost work. Inside this component there is a relay that works to regulate the provision of electric current between the heater and the compressor. So, when the relay provides electric current to the heater, the compressor will not work, and vice versa.
Here’s how to check the timer:
- Check the connectors and cable connections on the timer.
- Turn the timer and see if you hear a spinning wheel in the timer.
- turn the timer and check if the relay on the timer is working properly.
If when checked the timer shows abnormal symptoms, you should replace the refrigerator timer with a new one.
2. Thermofuse
Thermofuse serves to protect the components in the evaporator area from damage due to excessive heat from the heater. This component will cut off the flow of electricity to the heater when the heat in the evaporator approaches 75°C.
To check the condition of the thermofuse, this can be done by measuring the resistance at both ends of the thermofuse using an ohmmeter or multimeter.
If no resistance is detected, it is possible that the thermofuse is broken or damaged. Replace the thermofuse with a new one
3. Sensor
The function of the temperature sensor on the defrost is to detect the temperature around the evaporator area. This sensor contains a bimetal that can deform when exposed to cold temperatures.
In principle, this sensor is a relay that connects and disconnects electricity to the heater. When the temperature around the evaporator is very cold, the bimetallic metal inside the sensor will deform and connect the electricity supply to the heater.
To check the condition of the sensor can be done by measuring the resistance at both ends of the sensor. At normal temperature, the resistance at both ends of the sensor is zero. Place the sensor in the liquid ice for a few minutes. Supposedly the sensor will show infinite resistance.
4. Heater
The way to deal with the refrigerator not cooling but freezer is fine is to check the heater. This component serves to melt the ice coral that forms in the evaporator area.
You can check the heater by measuring the resistance on the heater using an ohmmeter. A normal heater will have a certain resistance value, usually a few hundred Ohms.
However, if the heater has been damaged or broken, then no resistance will be measured at all on the heater.
Thus the explanation of how to repair the damage to the refrigerator in the form of a refrigerator not cooling but freezer is fine. Refrigerator damage like this should be easy to repair yourself without the need to use the services of a technician.
You only need to identify each component in the refrigerator defrost system and replace it if you find any damage to any of the components of the defrost system.
