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I figured out a quick test for fridge compressors that works every time
Lately, I've seen a bunch of fridge jobs where the problem is the compressor. I picked up a skill for testing them with just a multimeter! For instance, a customer's fridge was warm, and my test pointed to a faulty start relay right away. Fixing that part was cheap and easy, avoiding a full compressor swap. Now I do this check on every fridge call. It cuts down my diagnosis time a lot! More folks in our trade should try this method.
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derek_burns7mo ago
That multimeter check is a good first step, but it won't catch every bad compressor. A compressor can show perfect resistance on the windings and still be locked up or have weak valves. Saw one just last week that passed the ohm test but wouldn't pull any amps because the rotor was seized. You really need to see if it can draw the correct current under load to be sure. The meter trick is great for the electrical side, but it doesn't test the mechanical condition.
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caleb2417mo ago
Remember seeing a fridge that hummed fine but just wouldn't COOL. Turned out the compressor was SHOT even though the readings looked good.
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leo_barnes7mo ago
Read about a case where a fridge had perfect ohm readings but the cooling was weak. The problem was worn valve plates inside the compressor letting refrigerant slip back. It would still run and hum, but all the cold air just leaked out. The guy had to check the pressure difference between the suction and discharge lines to find it. That's a mechanical fail the meter will never show.
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