Advice needed for my Whirlpool Fridge Freezer model ART 531-1/h, please read

[stin74]

Hi. I have a Whirlpool fridge freezer. Seperate freezer at the top with door, and fridge at the bottom with door, a 3/4 size 4ft in height. Model number is Whirlpool ART 531-1/H Service number is 856453115001

The freezer works fine but the fridge wasnt getting warm enough, so after research i believed the problem may have been the thermostat. I then ordered a thermostat as a direct replacement, an Atea A13-0681R Thermostat which is the correct part. I fitted it, didnt calibrate the screw that can be used for adjustment of temp. Anyway, the fridge then became too cold no matter if on the user knob i had it on high or low position. With a thermostat it was too cold, back of fridge freezing, also the compressor was running all the time, ie: the fridge noise was on all the time. It seems the thermostat hadnt worked….so i then removed the thermostat and adjusted the screw by turning clockwise one screw turn to increase the temp a bit in the fridge. this seemed to work a bit but the the other problem happened which was the compressor seemed to be off permanently, not kicking in and the temp in the fridge was now too warm, in the region of 10+ celcius ??

I heard that the contact relay could be at fault so i removed it from the compressor to inspect. I did the shake test but it didnt rattle, after removing a plastic cover i could see the thermistor disc was all in good order and not broken. I dont know much about using multi meteres but gave it a go putting red probe on one contact and black on the other and got a reading of 27 or 0.27 or something. There was some slight heat marks on the plastic casing in line with where the thermistor disc was. But nothing excessive. As i said, inside it looked fine

My question now is can any one advise what the likely problem is ? Ive been quoted £45 for a new monoblock direct replacement . Oh and im going to need another thermostat for the fridge as i broke the capillary wire after removing it too many times to try and adjust the screw inside to see if that would solve it.

Im kean to get it working again, i know i could buy a reconditioned fridge for cheap but the challenge is to get this one working. Also ive not worked in quite a long time so im skint too.

Any good advice or tips appreciated 🙂

[stin74]

Update: i bought another thermostat and it worked. I had been impatient with the first replacement one, not realising it can take up to 24 hours for the fridge freezer to readjust. I had taken the other thermostat out 3 or 4 times and messing with the adjustment screw, until in the end the long capillary wire snapped due to keep removing it and reinserting it, and i then ordered another thermostat which has worked.

[Author]

Posts