1962 GE Spacemaker TC469 Refrigerator - "Repaired" - still does not work. NEED HELP!

[estesguy]

GE and Panasonic

I wouldn't be as concerned about it being Panasonic, as to the sloppy way it was installed. To me it doesn't even look like its bolted down on the side we see in the picture. GE started using Panasonic compressors around mid 80's, eliminating the "lunchbox" style compressor they had used for years. My friend had a 1985 GE and I had a 2011, both with Panasonic compressors and no issues. I know GE had some compressor problems around the middle 90s, but I think that was from undersizing the compressor in their refrigerators, but not positive.

 

[combo52]

Panasonic compressors

I would be concerned about anybody’s ability that thinks a Panasonic compressor is a two-year compressor, they might be a decent technician but their reasoning ability is not very sound.

In 1985 GE started using rotary compressors that they built them selves in all their standard refrigerators from around 1985 through 1990, all of these compressors failed within 2 to 10 years max.

The replacement compressor may have been a Panasonic in some cases they used as many different companies as they could get their hands on because they had to replace them all.

John L.

 

[askolover]

GE used to have a compressor plant here in my town!  I worked with people who were laid off when it closed who then came to work at the auto part plant I worked in.  They told me stories about quality issues and the reason GE closed it.  That would have taken place in the late 80's early 90's.  I guess those stories were true huh?

 

[turbokinetic]

Follow up curiosity...

Hey Kelly - just curious if you were able to get this fridge running?

 

[kelly0721]

Turbokinetic: No, it does not work at all. I purchased an old repair manual for the repairman I hired, he rewired it correctly, but when we turned it on, it no longer gets cold. He does not repair compressors, so he referred me to another shop. I am not very confident that it will ever be fixed. I am not sure what I am going to do with it. I have spent hundreds on it and am nearly at our budget of $1200 to repair the fridge. I probably never should have purchased it without the skill too repair it. I know a big "I told you so" from my husband is coming. I haven't updated because I am a little despondent over the whole situation. [this post was last edited: 7/30/2019-15:50]

 

[turbokinetic]

Hi Kelly. So sorry you have this problem now.

So; it went from cooling for a short time, then stopping. Now it doesn't cool at all.

If the defrost timer circuit is somehow miswired; it could be actuating the defrost coil at all times. If this happens, the compressor will run but not cool.

 

[kelly0721]

I guess the first guy who swapped out the compressor said he got it to make ice, but the compressor would not stay on. The second guy rewired it and it turns on, but never gets even a little cooler inside the fridge or the freezer. Where is the defrost timer coil? Maybe I can take a photo for you to see if it is wired correctly?

 

[turbokinetic]

Kelly, the defrost coil is mounted to the left of the compressor. It's a square part with two wires. One wire will probably be green or blue; the other will be black. If that solenoid gets power, the fridge will not cool. The compressor will run but it won't have any cooling.

As an easy test, you can disconnect one of the wires from the defrost coil and try the fridge again. Be sure the fan under the back (the condenser fan) is running.

 

[kelly0721]

Hi David,

I disconnected the green wire (photo 1), but the fan did not turn on. I also noted a uncapped back wire coming from the fridge that seems concerning (photo 2), so I turned it off. I did not know if it was live or not.

 

[turbokinetic]

That black wire is very concerning! That could ground out and be a very bad shock hazard.

Disconnecting that green wire is exactly what I meant to disable the defrost and ensure it was not causing the fridge to not work.

Did you look at the wiring diagram on John's thread? You've replied to that one about your manuals.

The diagram I posted about the compressor wiring would apply to your refrigerator as well.

You will still need to get a new two-wire fan; as there's no way the 3-wire fan can run without the original compressor.

 

[kelly0721]

yeah, I saw that black wire and totally freaked out! I am glad I noticed it before I got shocked. I am going to call the repair shops Misty on FB recommended here in town. I don't think I am qualified (no matter how much I want to be) to even attempt to fix it myself. Gosh, I sure hope it finally gets fixed. Thank you again for all your help. Everyone here has been so nice and helpful. I am so glad I joined this forum.

 

[turbokinetic]

Not giving up...

It's the spirit of the enthusiast community not to give up. There is surely SOMEONE in your area who will be able to get the wiring sorted out! Just be sure they understand that the existing fan motor will have to be replaced with a two-wire version. That may be what's tripping them up.

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Kelly, I was wondering, are there old appliance parts stores in your area? A store that has been at least 20 years in business? Sometimes they would know of a repairman with the knowledge to fix older appliances. Asking wouldn't hurt.

 

Good luck!

 

[paulg]

Anecdotal information / not germane in this case / GE SANYO

Regarding General Electric parts - particularly through the 1980s.
My father worked with the Hotpoint / General Electric Home laundry and subsequently the refrigeration group from 1948 until the late 1980s.
I do recall, compressors and trim parts being source by SANYO. I am very sure GE had multiple vendors but I distinctly recall his hating the Japanese “Just in time” system. He’s often have to get a truck to O’Hare for an emergency shipment of stuff from Sanyo or the Chicago factories would shut down.
In recent years Sanyo ran into some bad times. I forgot who bought their appliance division. Was it Panasonic / Matsushita ?
Oh well, just passing along some info that is wasting synapses in my brain.

 

[kelly0721]

Not Giving Up

David: I was a little dejected when the fridge was not fixed with this last go round of repair and had to put it on the back burner for a while due to my little dog, Grace Kelly's death and my grandmother's death. But with your help and encouragement, I am back on the horse and not going to give up! I am determined to get this fridge running. Thank you for being so helpful and kind!

Ultramatic: When I first started my quest for a repairman to repair the fridge I called several old shops around town and paid for several service calls only to be told they don't work on anything that old and to "Get a new refrigerator". Apparently, I was not diligent enough and got a few referrals from the Vintage Appliances and Electronics group on Facebook. I am going to call them today.

PaulG: Thanks for the interesting information! I too have lots of information wasting synapses in my brain that I don't think anyone will find useful. However, I always think you never know what will be useful information and welcome anyone's thoughts! Thank you for sharing!

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Keeping my fingers crossed Kelly. The refrigerator is gorgeous, and with the ultra-rare left hand swing.

 

Louis

 

[kelly0721]

Thanks Louis! I think it is beautiful too! Can't wait to get it into my kitchen. We are about done with our kitchen remodel, so it is one of the last items we needed to finish to get the project wrapped up.

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Can't wait to see the pictures when it's back in service!

 

[kelly0721]

Louis, I will make sure to post pictures as soon as I get it in the kitchen.

 

[kelly0721]

No freon

Had a local repair shop out to look at the fridge. Apparently, there is no freon in the fridge. One of the tubes to the compressor is broken. I hadn't even noticed it was broken otherwise I would never have turned it on! I just bit the bullet and now everything is going to be replaced for a lot of $$$, which is fine. It is what I would have paid in the first place. I just want it done and over with. He is coming back on Tuesday to fix it. I wish I would have known about this shop before I paid the last two charlatans. 

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Wow. So none of the former "techs" never caught something so basic? Unbelievable. Charlatans is putting it too kindly.

 

[turbokinetic]

WOW!!!

That is terrible! Apparently one of the last bozos had broken that tube and didn't say anything about it.

So glad you found a repair shop who will get it going for you.

 

[northwesty]

I

am hoping this will fix it. It sometimes is a long process with these old things. Best of luck.

 

[kelly0721]

No freon

Yeah, I have to say I was pretty pissed off when the tech showed me the broken copper tube. 

 He was just dumbfounded by the mess that was made of my refrigerator. He even offered to help me take him to small claims court. I was also pissed to find out the "new" compressor was used and may no longer be working. I used the word charlatans to be nice. When the first guy who had it for a  year returned it, all he talked about was how he lived on a golf course. If I would have known better, I would have told him that he probably can afford that golf course abode because he has no problem ripping people off. What a jerk! Oh well, I have to let it go and just look forward to my "new to me" refrigerator finally being in operation in my kitchen! I will keep you all posted.