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About 6 months ago, we bought the above model fridge freezer second hand. Other than the regular “Aircraft taking off” sound from the fan, everything was OK.
In January, however, we noticed the fridge was getting warm, and in the freezer, my tub of ice cream was like rock. I measured the temperature at around -30 C. We also realised it was mostly quiet, without the “aircraft noises”. After buying a used freezer, and still having our old fridge, we transferred everything and switched it off. After a couple of days, I started removing stuff to investigate. Everything looked OK in the fridge section, temperature sensor looked OK, and connections good.
Next I dismantled the freezer section, where there was ice still. After thawing it thoroughly, I removed the section below the de-frost heater unit, eventually accessing and removing the fan. Visual checks indicated nothing appeared amiss with the fan, its bearings were free and I could spin it OK. Finding nothing obvious, I carefully reassembled everything and switched it back on.
All seemed OK, so we transferred back all the food and it ran OK. Only for about one month, then the same fault recurred. This time, we moved the food, and left it with the doors ajar for over one week, before trying it again. Fault still present.
I have concluded that the problem must be either the fan is faulty, or the “board” which tells it when to switch on and off (and maybe vary the speed) wants replacing.
I can get a new fan for around £60, but have no idea how much, if available, the board would be. I notice in one spares suppliers listing, mention is made of a programmer interface (around £120) which suggests boards need setting for the specific unit. I understand Hotpoint want around £120 for a call out (reading a post elsewhere on line) and that, without parts supply, would put it in the “cheaper to scrap and buy another” area.
Do I risk the cost of a new fan, or does anybody know something I need to know. Whilst I am not a white goods engineer, I have been fixing my stuff of every type for the last 60+ years.
Les.
Quite sure. The last attempt it stood over one week with doors open, but was back at _30 C (actually, lower) by the end of day after switch on. No time for ice build up. I am convinced it is either the fan, or whatever tells it to come on, go off or whatever. Les.
could be the fan. you would need to check the board output to the fan to see if it should be running. Even if you run test programme and get a fan fault code you still cant be certain if its the board or the fan
part no C00344820
found it one heck of a lot cheaper on Amazon
Dave
Wow,Dave, that makes more sense, well worth risking £25. The Amazon supplier would not deliver to Isle of Man, but Ebay yielded the same item at £25:19.
When you refer to a test run, is this something that can be achieved by key presses, or does it need a manufacturer’s test device. I never established if the fan motor was a mains supply, low voltage DC or what. Do you know? I could pull the unit out now whilst I await delivery, and perhaps do some testing. If speed controlled, what is method of control. I am not certain where the control unit is, but could remove and check for obvious stuff, though that rarely yields anything these days when control of everything lies in computer code within a chip.
When we first bought it, SWMBO was “over the moon” with its performance, capacity, and (for me) lower energy use. If I can understand its working, I will be less inclined to consider scrapping it, which I was almost resigned to earlier. Many thanks, Les.
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