ZanussiZI920/8FF Fridge not cooling

Re: ZanussiZI920/8FF Fridge not cooling

Thanks for your prompt response spimps.
I have tested the two switches (they are just bi-metal thermostats) and they are OK. Heater fine.
Taken the F/F out of the housing.
Now I am in trouble. As this is an Integrated Unit, the complete back of the Unit is covered with an insulation covered in a thinck piece of plastic or similar. It’s all one piece and I cannot see anuthing behind it. I am trying to locate the Defrost Timer.
The only clue I have is that the only cables up from the base cable entry is on the left hand side (looking from the rear). There is also a bulge about 4 inches wide and a metre long on the same side.
Anu suggestions on how to access the electrics, fan? and timer stuff? I don’t want to have to remove all the insulation and then have to replace it.

Thanks and regards,

John

Re: ZanussiZI920/8FF Fridge not cooling

Hi spimps,
Apologies for the long wait for a response.
I had the back coveroff the inside of the freezer and there was a fan behind this, together with a couple of thermostats, the evaporator and a heater. I looked high and low, removed the fan and the plastic all round the fan recess was pristine without a crack, joint or mark to indicate a damper or flap. Nothing there to let air out of the freezer compartment.
I checked the fan, heater and the switches and they are all OK.
After removing the Unit from the integrated box I still could not find anything that could indicate a ducting except fo the 4inch bump about a metre high on the back of the rear insulation. Maybe a duct undeer that. But where can the air come from? I do remember that there used to be icicles on the rear wall inside the fridge. So there must be something there.
NO signs of the timer or anything electrical except the motor contactor. Eventually removed the plate between the fridge and the freezer from the front and voila there was the timer. Seemed to be working OK, but, on opening it up the contacts were weled together. Fitted a new timer this afternoon and now waiting to see results.
Running for about 2 hours now, freezer is just below 0C, but the fridge is still at room temp.
Doesn’t seem to be any different to when I started this project.
Where can I look for a fan or duct or something that can provide cooling to the fridge?????? Will I have to start tearing off the insulation which looks quite substantial.
Any suggestions on how and where to proceed? Is it likely that there may be other devices in the space between the fridge and the freezer?
Thanks for your help

John

Re: ZanussiZI920/8FF Fridge not cooling

Thanks for your very prompt advice Bob. It is most appreciated in helping me to find a solution. Wife is nagging about lack of space for both of us in the kitchen.
I’d like to explore ALL avenues before calling out an engineer. But I will when it’s necessary.
Overnight Inoticed some further developments:
1. The freezer temp dropped right off the scaly below 30C. While the fridge remained at room temp around 18C.
2. The condenser at the back of the fridge was quite hot on one side only. The other side was quite cool. Maybe confirming Bob’s diagnosis.
3. The compressor was quite hot to touch.

It appears that you are probably correct in your suggestion that there is a separate evaporator for the fridge. However, what is the best way to examine this aspect of the Unit? Could the fridge thermostat be the cause of this symptom? Or some other device that is accessible?
Or as you suggest it’s most likely the lack o f gas or the compressor itself?

thanks again,

John