1956 Fridgidaire Imperial Cold Pantry

[lombardo]

Hey all;

Just bought my first vintage refrigerator 1956 Fridgidaire Imperial Cold Pantry. I am having a thermostat problem, it will not cycle the compressor it just continuously runs. So I’m hoping I can adjust the thermostat or that there is a remedy to getting it to begin to cycle again. Also the evaporator fan in the back runs constantly too, I wonder if this related to the thermostat problem? Thanks for your help.

Evan

 

[rp2813]

The evaporator fan should be tied into the cooling cycle, so it makes sense that if the thermostat is calling for cooling, everything involved in that process is operating. 

 

I assume that when you turn the cold control to "OFF" everything shuts down.  If not, then yes, there's an issue with the thermostat and it's probably not something that can be fixed.

 

There are universal aftermarket cold controls out there, and the best place to find them would be on ebay.  You'd have to extract yours or take a good picture of it so you can compare it to what you might find on line.

 

I had a similar problem develop on my '57 GE Combination.   The fridge would run continuously even on the warmest setting.  I pulled the cold control and there was nothing visibly wrong, but  I tried to take the assembly apart and it did not turn out well.  There's nothing serviceable inside.

 

The one thing I do recall is that the NOS replacement control I installed had instructions and adaptive mounting hardware for other makes besides GE, and Frigidaire was one of them.

 

[diesirae7]

Sounds like the internal contacts may be stuck or "welded" together. I have a 1939 Frigidaire and its still running on all original parts, maybe the compressor relay is stuck on as well, and that might be able to open and clean the contacts, but things changed to more sealed components after 1939 for sure. I've worked in commercial refrigeration and there are options out there so you can still use it.

 

[lombardo]

The evaporator fan continues to run in the off position as well. I was afraid of that, I was hoping it was serviceable in some way. I’ll try to see if can clean the contacts in the relay and begin my search for a replacement thermostat. I do want to use it so I appreciate you guys advice and help.

 

[lombardo]

Do you guys have advice for removing the Old thermostat? I was lucky to find and own one on eBay this morning, I see the metal tube goes up and over the inside cabinet just not sure how it comes out.

 

[eronie]

So is the refrigerator compartment freezing anything? Could be a tired compressor...

 

[rp2813]

Let's hope it's not a tired compressor.  I hadn't thought of that possibility, but yes, if it's getting overly cold in the cabinet, then the compressor is likely still OK.

 

The tubing is probably either clipped into place, or like my '57 GE, has a couple of clasps that are held by small screws (see picture).  You may need to remove the rear panel to get at the evaporator, but I'm going on fuzzy memory of what these Cold Pantry models look like.  If you can post a picture of the interior, that should help.

 

[lombardo]

I don’t believe the compressor is getting tired it’s getting below freezing in the refrigerator compartment. Here’s where the thermostat tube comes down and clips the the evaporator. I removed the plastic air deflector to expose the clip. I’m wondering how to get the tube out through the top and back through with the new thermostat? Thank you for your help.

 

[rp2813]

Bummer.  It's hidden.  If there's no way to view from the top (like below the freezer section, I'm assuming), I don't know how you'd fish through a new one.  Worst case scenario would be to securely attach a line or thin wire and pull the thing out from the front end, and use that same line to pull the new one back through, but there's no telling whether you'd hit a snag trying to remove or reinstall.

 

Others here are more familiar with Frigidaires than I am, and may be able to provide information on the R&R process.

 

[goatfarmer]

Tie a string to the end of the sensing bulb on the old thermostat.. When you pull the thermostat out, the string will come with it. Then untie it, and tie it to the end of the new sensor. Pull the other end of the string, like a fish tape. Kinda threads it behind the liner.

 

[lombardo]

Update... I don’t think it’s the thermostat. I purchased a temporary thermostat and wired it in. I’m getting the same results with the temporary thermostat. So is it the relay stuck with the contacts closed?

 

[diesirae7]

check the relay out, something is fused together there.

 

[philr]

The fan for the cold plate in the refrigerator section of these fridges should run most of the time and shut off when the temperature in the refrigerator section gets cold, the thermostatic control for this fan is usually hidden somewhere behind the plastic trim around the liner. It should run with the main control in off position and when the door is open too. At least, it's how it is on my 1959 and 1961 Frigidaire Frost-Proof refrigerators.

If the compressor runs continuously with any setting of the thermostat except the "off" position, the freezer section should get below 0°F. If that's what it does, then the thermostat might be the problem...

I'm not sure about the YT relay, never had a problem with any of mine. Here are a few pictures from a service manual. I don't have the complete information for 1956 models but I hope that helps.

[this post was last edited: 1/17/2018-01:11]

 

[goatfarmer]

Did the temp thermostat attach a sensing lead to the cold plate? Or was it one that sensed air temperature?

 

[lombardo]

It’s clipped to the cold plate. I’m thinkjng the relay is fused I was lucky to find a new old stock relay and should arrive in a couple days so I am crossing my fingers.

 

[lombardo]

How do slide the inside cabinet out to route the thermostat through? The string broke when installing the new thermostat. Now I’m forced to do it this way. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[rp2813]

So did it need the new thermostat after all?   How did you determine that?  Just curious.

 

Can you use something like a length of coat hanger wire instead of a string?  If that will push through to the rear opening,  you should be able to pull the capillary tubing behind it.  How you keep it attached to the wire is the tricky thing.

 

Removing the liner could be a big job, but it can certainly be done.  I wonder what a repair tech would have done back when these refrigerators were daily drivers in homes across the nation.  I can't imagine it would have been a lengthy process to replace this part.

 

[lombardo]

I’m really just playing it by ear and learning as I go. I may not have needed a thermostat and I found the adjustment after I took the old one out. So I may have been able to adjust it instead. Just learning and trying to figure things out on my own as I always do. I thank you for the coat hanger suggestion that’s what I did and it worked. New thermostat is installed now I’m letting her run to see what I have and I’ll adjust if needed.

 

[goatfarmer]

Thank the stars the coat hanger worked! I can't imagine pulling the liner, or if it could even be done.