Hotpoint FFA 70 fault

[keyhole]

First post here…

I have a 3 y/o Hotpoint FFA 70 P Fridge-Freezer which has just stopped working.

At the top of the doors I have a green mains light showing, plus 2 red alarms: Food Defrost Alert & Freezer High Temp.

On switch-on, after about 30 seconds the motor can be heard running. Thereafter, no compressor sounds are heard, and the radiator has no heat. Is there just one motor for the fridge and the freezer. If so, how do they get 2 different temperatures?

I’m hoping this fault is something like a compressor starter relay or thermostat and relatively cheap to replace. Any ideas folks? If so, an online source for the replacement part would be appreciated.

k/h

[spimps]

Re: Hotpoint FFA 70 fault

On4e compressor supplies both via the frost free evaporator set up in the rear of the freezer,it blows cold air from the freezer up to the fan.
No simple thermostats as it’s run by te pcb and temp sensors.
Sounds like you need an engineer to establish the exact item that is faulty.
Sorry for delay in reply,lots of folks on hols.

[keyhole]

Re: Hotpoint FFA 70 fault

Spimps

Thanks for your response. I’m trying to get an engineer to take a look. Not many outfits seem to be interested in fixing FF these days!

Regarding the sensors (thermistors?) they must be buried within the walls of the fridge & the freezer, as nothing is apparent inside on examination.

Might it be be a leak of the refrigerant? How common is that? Type R 600a is stated on the plate. Would it leave a ‘deposit’ on the tubing by the leak?

k/h

[spimps]

Re: Hotpoint FFA 70 fault

There is a facility somewhere on this site to locate the nearest member of the trade site to you
The thermistors for the freezer are behind the false wall at the rear,can’t remember off hand where the one for the fridge is.
Wouldn’t usually be a sign of a leak unless it’s a fractured pipe, there may be a trace of oil,the refrigerant is an isobutane so vapourises at atmospheric pressure.
If the motor runs for 30 minutes and then cuts out is it very hot to the touch,that could be an indication of refrigerant loss

link to search

[keyhole]

Re: Hotpoint FFA 70 fault

Thanks Spimps. By a trail of phoning ‘non-fixers’ of Fridge Freezers, I have finally found a company that has both an industrial & a domestic division specialising in the freezer repair business.

I have also spotted just one thermistor sitting in the freezer section, under the evaporator finned assembly. It’s wires feed back into the open base area where the compressor motor lives, and enter a white plastic unit that also has some cooling tubing going into it. No obvious part number can be seen on it.

I get the feeling that this model is very unsophisticated compared to others, No motorised flap, for example. Just a simple fan to distribute the cold air.

The motor does not cut out – or overheat. It just produces no refrigeration!

I’ll report the solution next week when the expert has had a look. I’m assured that they carry refrigerant with them & can do a refill if required.

k/h

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