need help

[jrobinette]

We just bought a 1951 frigidaire refrigerator about 3 days ago, it was working like a champ and I put a thermometer in it, it was accurate. Came home today only to hear it kicking on but not staying on. My husband and I don't know much about these vintage appliances other than we live them and really want to get use out of them. Any ideas???? I've included some pictures incase that helps pinpoint the model.

 

[norgeway]

You need

A new starting relay, its called a Delco hot wire relay, what you are hearing is the start windings running but its not kicking over to the run windings of the motor...UNPLUG IT NOW so as not to burn out the start windings as they are not designed to run all the time, the relay can be found on ebay, its a common part.

 

[jrobinette]

Thank you so much!!!! I unplugged it as soon as I noticed it so hopefully its ok, I wasn't home much during the day so I'm not sure how long it was like that. Just a question for the future: if anything were to go wrong with the compressor what are our options? Is the only thing left to do at that point is send it out for restoration? Also, would a hard start relay be an ooption while we are waiting for the one you mentioned to arrive in the mail? Theres a local appliance tech I spoke with yesterday, he was willing to come take a look but didnt seem too optimistic of what he could do, I guess at this point I have more trust on this forum than with him.

 

[goatfarmer]

"If" it's the compressor, it can be retrofitted with something newer, but it will be an expensive proposition.