- This topic has 4 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 20 years, 6 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
As a new member I would just like to say what a great forum this is, with many useful tips and invaluable sharing of information. It is always a challenge when an item fails and frustrating when you can’t get hold of decent repair information e.g. a service manual. Keep up the good work.
I have a ‘Hotpoint MistralPlus Model 8596 Frost Free’ refrigerator which is 11 years old and both the freezer and fridge are not cooling. I looked on websites and found this one. Although armed with fresh ideas, I still couldn’t identify the problem. With much pressure from her indoors, we replaced it, taking the pressure off. It is now in the garage, awaiting a final decision before going to the great refrigerator in the sky rubbish tip!
Observations:
– top/front control unit appears to function correctly and shows both compartment temperatures reasonably accurately (as compared to a digital thermometer), and can press Fast Freeze putting FF in the display. Powered off over night in the garage, powered on & in 2 hours the freezer temp. remained at +18 degC, and the fridge temp. remained at +17 degC. It doesn’t get any colder. The situation has got worse over the last few days from working, to partially working, to not at all;
– both compressor and neighbouring fan (blowing over the heat exchanger) at the bottom back, come on shortly after power on and stay on. After power off, I can hear the compressor run down. The compressor is cool-warm to touch and makes a fairly normal running noise;
– no gurgling sound of refrigerant liquid; no signs of any leaks;
– inside the freezer compartment: evaporator is not cold/no ice & the fan is not on (a forum post mentioned this doesn’t start until lower than approx -5 degC when it then distributes the air around the freezer and up to the fridge compartment);
– the yellow and green thermistors measure 1576 and 1548 ohms respectively. I put the yellow one in a mug of warm-hot water and observed the temperature rise on the display.Actions to date:
– cleaned the heat exchanger / compressor area at bottom back;
– observed the circuit board / control unit at top, which appears to be Ok in respect to no burned out components.Questions:
– should the freezer compartment evaporator get very cold; and the fan come on only when the temperature reaches approx. -5 degC?My guess:
– the compressor is at fault and not pumping the refrigerant around effectively.Any suggestions please?
Re: Hotpoint MistralPlus Model 8596 Frost Free – not cooling
Answer – Freezer evaporator should get very cold -25C ish. If you stick your ear to outside of cabinet you should hear the refrigerant passing through the pipes. I would guess you are correct in that the compressor is suspect or else it has lost all its refrigerant. You would need to put a line-tap valve on and a set of guages to be sure. Good luck – Ian.
Re: Hotpoint MistralPlus Model 8596 Frost Free – not cooling
Ian – thanks for your prompt response. I put my ear to the outside of the cabinet, also to the end of a length of wood up against the compressor and as expected – no refrigerant sound. I was wondering whether the compressor is turning fast enough (my last option)?
I looked at the connections to the compressor and noticed broken black plastic. It looks like there are 2 components in the black connection module: (i) rectangular (marking: MM8-610C 1244 330M355), has a circular disk inside measuring 29 ohms (either direction) – now in bits, yuk!; (ii) ~1 cm circular unit which pushes against the compressor (heat sensor?). There is also another white component with 3 wires – I guess is a capacitor. The compressor has 3 connections. I guess my disturbing it has made matters worse. A few further questions:
– do you have a circuit diagram which shows what I am guessing at?
– could this be the cause (I am guessing at a capacitor start motor – which I can’t remember the principle/cct)?
– do you have the part number if I decide to order, how much and from where?Thanks again for your help. I only wish I could get hold of a decent service manual.
Regards, Mike
Re: Hotpoint MistralPlus Model 8596 Frost Free – not cooling
UGHH!
You’ve taken off the start relay and current/temperature overload. These parts are unique to your compressor make and model. If I were you I would ring the local authority and have it lifted especially as you now have a replacement.
George
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.