Vintage GMFR refrigerator cycling question.

[volvoguy87]

I was over at a friend's house today and he has a late 1940s GM Frigidaire refrigerator that is just not working. Instead of running, it cycles. The motor switches on and gets up to speed then it goes "click" and shuts off. It will cycle like this every few minutes. What is causing this? Is it low on refrigerant, a bad start switch, bad run windings, a bad relay, etc? (According to the wiring diagram, there is a relay and it is separate from the cold control.

When the motor shuts off, it sounds to be about the same point that the start windings would be de-energized.

Your thoughts?
Dave

 

[58limited]

I would check the freon level first. My '54 was empty and it cycled like that, I had it filled and it has been fine since.

 

[qsd-dan]

"Is it low on refrigerant"

Bad/leaking hoses and o-rings are the most likely the cause. Refrigerant should never have to be recharged. If the system needs a recharge, there's a leak.....PERIOD. R-12 is too expensive nowadays to give the system a "shot" and see if things begin running correctly.

 

[travis]

Bad relay

I would bet that the relay isn't working. It sounds like the compressor starts but fails to trigger the run windings. If that's the case, an overload shuts it down for a few minutes or slightly more until it tries again.

These things are old and contact point do eventually go bad.

 

[whitekingd]

Travis is right.

I've seen the same symptoms caused be a bad relay.

 

[twintubdexter]

smart cookies on this site

sounds like the Meter Miser is dealing with a bad relay.

 

[volvoguy87]

Thanks guys.

I'll give the relay a try.
Dave

 

[kenwashesmonday]

If I remember right, it's a large rectangular bakelite relay. I bet it comes apart.

Ken D.

 

[swestoyz]

Dave - let us know if the relay is shot. If so, let me know the model number of the fridge. I know of a source that may have this part on hand.

Ben

 

[goatfarmer]

It does come apart, if you wanted to clean the contacts.

 

[everythingold]

A hard start kit is $10. Although there are that don't like them. matt

 

[volvoguy87]

Hard start kit?

What is a hard start kit? Another friend has a stubborn Westinghouse that refuses to even turn over, perhaps that would be of use?

Dave

 

[neptunebob]

It's a capacitor with connections that sends an extra "jolt" into the start windings, helping make a start possible in case the compressor is "tight". They are available at refrigeration supply wholesalers, but I don't know if a consumer could get one or not.

 

[everythingold]

I get them through Servall, I have an account, don't know how many there are. But you can buy one from your local appliance repair man. They are also called 3 in 1's, they are a completely new relay. matt

 

[goatfarmer]

I don't know if they would work on a vintage 'fridge. They do the job, though, if you have a newer 'fridge with a weak compressor.

 

[everythingold]

It depends on the fridge. Once you get into the 60's you have a good shot. it is a cheap fix, worth a try.

 

[volvoguy87]

I'll see.

This Saturday I'll be taking a peek at the relay in the fridge mentioned at the top of this thread. I'll see what I can do.

The guy who owns it has an AMC fridge at his place of work that is doing something similar. I'll look at it too. Anyone ever heard of an AMC refrigerator? He says it isn't Kelvinator and American Motors is the only AMC I know. He also says it was made in New York.

Always the appliances...
Dave

 

[goatfarmer]

There was an AMC refrigerator in our house when we bought it 22 years ago.

 

[jamiel]

AMC was private label for a series of department stores in the 50s-70s. Other private labels (same timeframe) was Duracrest (which I believe was associated with May Department Stores) and Supremacy (Macy's). Refrigeration was probably sourced from Kelvinator or Gibson in Michigan or possibly Philco in PA