Hot refrigerator (leak, electricity, repair, cold)

[otterhere]

Running, but not cooling. Same with the freezer compartment. It's gone off and come on a couple of times now. Is this something that can be easily and cheaply fixed, or is it just too old? It's pretty old.

[AksarbeN]

Just the fact that you said it’s pretty old tells me it’s time to buy a new one instead of spending the money to repair the old one….. I’d start looking for what seems to work best for your needs, size-color-model- ect.

[mathjak107]

likely one of 4 things .
#1 is easy , check the condenser coils for air flow blockage from dirt and dust .
#2 easy- possibly bad thermostat
the other likely reasons , not so easy are low or out of refrigerant and there is a leak or a bad compressor .

[otterhere]

I'm only there for another year, and the buyer may want a different size/color/style. Any ideas what the problem could be?


Just saw response; are those cheap/easy fixes (number one obviously is, but) or not worth it?

[mathjak107]

just the stat is generally a cheap fix . you can do it yourself .

just bypass it and see if things improve . then you know if it is bad

[otterhere]

I'm a helpless female; would be calling in a repairman. Just wondering if it's worth it.

[mathjak107]

yikes ! a girl ha ha ha

[LIcenter]

If it's a frost free (cold air) fridge, it could also be the defrost relay. My thought on this is you said it works sometimes, which kinda tells me the relay could be sticking in the defrost cycle. Look for the model # and post it here. Maybe we can narrow it down for you.

[mathjak107]

there is usually a thermal disc that terminates defrost even if the relay sticks . most frost free are timer actuate and temperature terminate . i have been out of the business for years but most of what i saw worked that way

[LifeIsGood01]

Get a new or newer used one. it should also save electricity as they have become more energy efficient.