1966 ge spacemaker acting up

[carolinacat]

Its starting the fan and not the compressor and then it cycles the compressor on for about a second and cuts off then a few seconds later it does it again. It may do this for while. Then go on like nothing is wrong. The only time i have ever heard it do that before is if the current blinks and the compressor was running while the current blinked. I'm not really sure what's going on with it. Any ideas.

 

[carolinacat]

So it doing it right now and it's cycling the fan not the compressor. Maybe something to do with the defrost timer?

 

[Sudster]

Doubt it

Evaporator fan on means compressor on usually. If that was mine and original, I'd run a hard start kit. If the compressor is newer then replace the compressor relay,Otherwise Look up Supco RC0410 on Google,quite a few video's--Good luck--Joe

 

[carolinacat]

Ok I willcheck. I know compressor comes on no fan during defrost cycle as well. I opened and shut the freezer door and it went to working correctly. Last night so gonna have to catch it acting up again. Orginal compressor best I could tell. I had to replace the defrost solenoid a year or so ago now.

 

[carolinacat]

So I finally pulled the heavy thing out so I could access the rear. I pulled the cover off of the relay and the guardette. The guardette is what is tripping when it goes acting up. I checked last night the freezer temp is 0 this morning. But it seems like it's running cycle is longer than it should be. I have not ordered a hard start kit for it yet. My understanding is the hard start kit replaces my relay and guardette is this correct. Also If I turn thermostat in freezer section shouldn't I hear it click when it reaches what ever temperature it is in there. Wondering if that's not working and that's why compressor is running so long then it trips out.

 

[carolinacat]

Also like to add when it's not working and the guardette is tripping and it's trying to get back right I can cut current to it let sit for a bit and then turn back on and it goes back running fine.

 

[turbokinetic]

This sounds familiar...

Nicholaz; this sounds like a problem several of us have experienced with Spacemaker fridges.

Under normal conditions, the high pressure side, and the low pressure side of the system will equalize, in 5 or so minutes after the compressor stops. The compressor is not designed to start up against a lot of pressure in the high side. That is why the guardette will trip if there is a power-blink. The system tries to re-start before the pressures are equalized.

If the capillary tube is restricted, it may begin to take longer and longer for the pressure to equalize; and also this will reduce the refrigerant flow while it's running, causing the system to lose capacity. That could explain both the long run-times and the hard starting.

Just to be sure; check that the thermostat isn't short-cycling the compressor. Be sure it is not cycling off, and then trying to cycle back on too soon.

Hope this gives you some good pointers.
Sincerely,
David

 

[carolinacat]

Mr David, thanks for the reply. I follow you on the equalization of the pressure that makes sense. When it does finally cycle off it seems like it comes back on too soon. How long should it be between a cycle assuming the doors aren't opened. I was home at lunch today and it was running when I came in. It ran for a while and then... I don't know why but to me ... seemed to cut off fast and I thought to myself well it's gonna try and restart shortly. And it did with a click and a fail. I'm not sure how to check the thermostat out really. Is there a replacement out there for it. All the thermostat I have ever messed with you could adjust/ turn it to hear it click to know the temp it was currently at. This one I don't hear or feel it when turning. I'll check amp draw of the compressor tomorrow and try to catch it acting up as well. I have gotten to letting it run for a few hrs and then if I hear it trying to power up clicking/ cycling unplug it for a few.

Nicholas

 

[carolinacat]

I heard it finally cut off this morning less than 10 minutes it was back on.

 

[combo52]

Problems With A GE 1966 Frost Guard Refrigerator

Hi Nicholaz, the first thing you need to figure out is what the temperatures are inside the freezer and ref sections are to analyze the problem.

 

Under normal conditions this ref should run around 50% of the time, if it has sealed system problems it may run much more, so to determine why it is coming back on so fast monitor the temperatures and see how they look.

 

The FF section should be between 35 and 38F, the freezer should be between 0 - + 5F.

 

John L.

 

[carolinacat]

I like my milk cold so I keep the fridge around 35 and the freezer is around 0 I will double check them again but the freezer fridge doors were not getting opened this morning when i posted the ten minute comment.

 

[carolinacat]

Where is this capillary tube at on this fridge. I Assume only way to fix that is to replace it? I Can't just flush the system And recharge can I. Mr. John/ Mr David would either of you mind emailing your contact number so i could have someone walk me thru some things. Thanks

[email protected] is my email.
Or my cell is 2522670421 call txt whatever.

 

[carolinacat]

Any links to a suitable replacement for the thermostat?

 

[carolinacat]

Wr9x186 has been discontinued and replaced about 50 times I just need one that has a long tube made to it. I rigged one up I had laying around. See what I can find to replace this one.