Hotpoint FFA90 Fridge Freezer thermistor problem?

[Mel_P]

Hello,

I have seen lots of threads on this topic, but not for this model, and suspect that one of the thermistors has drifted.

The problem is no cooling – whole fridge-freezer shuts down.

Searching the internet it seemed the first solution is to switch it off for 24 hours and try again. I checked all connections to control board etc and this made no difference so I left it turned off overnight and plugged it in – hey ho it worked. OK for 4 -5 days then exactly the same problem (lucky I have the old fridge and freezer in the garage!). Switched off again. Did not start next day – so took off back panel inside freezer – warmed up bottom sensor (thermistor) with fingers – compressor BURST into life!!! Lets see how long it runs for?

When it works it all works OK – temps correct. Freezer cools down to -18C then fridge starts cooling to correct temp.

If it works it suggests its the thermistor(s) slightly out of range confusing the control board.

All parts seem operational (control board, freezer fan, compressor, damper in fridge compartment). It has shut down twice – a week apart.

The baffle is working – I have taken the top cover off in the fridge compartment and the baffle opens / closes and the duct is not blocked. The fan is also free and operates when required.

With the back panel off the freezer compartment there appear to be 2 thermistors – one at the bottom left (white with red marking) and one near the top left, above freezing coils – white)? They are about 2cm long x .5cm diameter – with a white cable going out of the casing.

(Links removed)

Does anybody agree? Which thermistor – the one at the botttom of the freezer compartment, or the one in the middle please?

If so, I have searched the web but have not found an on-line supplier – can anyone help here. I have requested “partmaster” and “whitegoods.co.uk” for parts availability as none of lists seem to mention the FFA90

This has got to be cheaper than paying a Hotpoint engineer £90 to tell me the same thing?

So
– do you agree with diagnosis?
– where can I buy suitable thermistors for FFA90 (part numbers???)?

Here’s hoping somebody can help here. Many thanks for any guidance. Thanks, Mel P ❓ [/img]

[hotpnt]

Re: Hotpoint FFA90 Fridge Freezer thermistor problem?

hi, unfortunatly the thermistors on these models are foamed into the cabinet and are not replaceable, if they have failed its the end of your machine, only other cause would be the module, however they come in at over £70, a costly gamble,
If it’s not 5 years old yet, better to call in hotpoint & get free parts

[admin]

Re: Hotpoint FFA90 Fridge Freezer thermistor problem?

Hi

These thermisister have a habit of failing,Normally together,Change the set and you will find that it would work ok.

Change one and you will probably regret just changing one as you’ll need another shortly.

Bryan

[hotpnt]

Re: Hotpoint FFA90 Fridge Freezer thermistor problem?

hi r600a these are foamed in themistors!

[Mel_P]

Re: Hotpoint FFA90 Fridge Freezer thermistor problem?

Hi Hotpnt, thanks.

Yes – I can see they are foamed-in – I was hoping I could “by-pass” the foam and run the thermistors to the junction box – but I am not sure they go there – do they go straight to the PCB?

If the thermistors are not replaceable – do Hotpoint replace the fridge-freezer if the thermistor fails? Seems a “silly” design to me!

It is 4 years / 9 months old – just inside the 5 years free parts (+ £90 call-out I am told).

As I said – its now working – but for how long. These intermittent faults are a PAIN!

🙁
Mel

[admin]

Re: Hotpoint FFA90 Fridge Freezer thermistor problem?

Hi

Sorry I was looking at the frost free model with the thermisters on the evaperator ass.

Bryan

[hotpnt]

Re: Hotpoint FFA90 Fridge Freezer thermistor problem?

hi, they run all the way up inside the insulation to the module,
to be fair these ones dont fail often, but if they go open circuit or short circuit then the module should detect this & revert to a timed operation
You can run a test
With the Fridge Door OPEN press & hold the Fast Freeze Button, Keep it pressed in whilst shutting the door, then release the button
The display should then show, Fridge temp for 3 seconds, Freezer Evap temp for 3 secs, then Freezer cabinet temp for 3 seconds

[Mel_P]

Re: Hotpoint FFA90 Fridge Freezer thermistor problem?

I have checked the temps previously with a thermometer and they are OK.

It’s working now – but twice (overnight) its just cut out and warmed up and the only way of getting it going was to warm the bottom thermistor.

It seems to get stuck in “defrost mode” until the whole system is warmed then it will restart. That’s why I suspect some drift somewhere.

“hotpnt” (thanks) – I have done your test:

Fridge – 6 deg c (set point 4 but it had been open)
Freezer (-)17 deg C (set point (-)18 degC)

So OK – I just expect it to shutdown and day and wake up to defrosting food again.

Mel

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