Indesit C 239 NF (UK). Fridge OK – Freezer not working

[kwikphix]

Hello Folks my first post here and hopefully somebodyt can help. My Freezer has just broken down and will not freeze, which has meant emptying everything out only a few days after a big shopping trip – not happy !.

To be honest the RED warning light has been flashing sporadically for a few weeks ( possibly months ) now , however the temperature always seemed to be OK and it froze. On Saturday night it stopped freezing altogether and the compartment de-frosted and is now just below room temperature even with super freeze selected on and the temp dail to the max.

The fridge still seems to be working OK. I left the unit on overnight and had a temp in the fridhge of +2.8º , It was about +9º C when i went to bed but the door had been opened a lot durning the day whilst i was ‘fiddling’.
I’ll summarise the symptoms below:

i) Freezer compartment will not freeze
ii) Fridge compartment does cool – (with thin frost visible on the back wall)
iii) RED warning light on all the time the machine is switched on. It was flashing a few days ago but is now steady –ON
iv) I recall hearing ‘Gugling’ noises from the machine a few weeks ago, with the RED light flashing.
v) no obvious signs of external leaks or damage
vi) I can hear the motor/compressor working , it is warm to the touch – aren’t they all though ?
vii) The condensor seems to be working . it is hot at the pump output end and cooler at the other end , just before it goes inside the machine.
viii) The Fan is working OK in the freezer compartment – i can see it after lowering the cover.

I suspect either the PCB or there looks to be some kind of Divertor valve on the back ? I can also see quite a few sensors in the freezer compartment now i’ve got the covers off …

Any advice greatly appreciated. I am an Aircraft Technician by trade and quite able to fix some things myself but would appreciate some expert help or advice…

[Dave_Conway]

Re: Indesit C 239 NF (UK). Fridge OK – Freezer not working

kwikphix wrote:I can hear the motor/compressor working , it is warm to the touch – aren’t they all though ?

Is it running constantly (24/7) and how hot is it ?

Dave.

[kwikphix]

Re: Indesit C 239 NF (UK). Fridge OK – Freezer not working

Dave_Conway wrote:
Is it running constantly (24/7) and how hot is it ?

Dave.

Hello Dave , thanks for replying.

Obviously i can’t monitor the compressor all of the time, however i do think that it is coming on and off , for example if i switch off at the mains and then switch back on again it is a while before the compressor kicks in again. When I looked this morning the freezer fan wasn’t running , but then it started later on, so the fn comes on and off.

The compressor is Hot to the touch but not to a huge degree, I can hold my hand against it, but only for a few seconds. There is a small amount of water in the plastic collection tray on top and so it isn’t so hot that it evaporates it completely or quickly.

I also noticed that the pipes on the freezer evaporator started to freeze , with visible frost on them, and the temp started to drop a little, but it is now raised again and the frost has disappeared.

HTH.

Edit: I’ve just used a thermometer to measure and i would say that the body of the Motor assy is approximately 58+º C

[goody_1000]

Re: Indesit C 239 NF (UK). Fridge OK – Freezer not working

Hi,

I have the same fridge freezer with the same fault.

Does anyone know what it maybe?

I can’t find a manual online for this f/f.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Aaron.

[goody_1000]

Re: Indesit C 239 NF (UK). Fridge OK – Freezer not working

After reading this It makes sense.

The freezer freezes up excessively and then stops working. Once it’s unfrozen itself it starts up again.

I’m going o take my screwdriver to it and see if i can find my thermisters.

Do they register the heat generated or the cold in the freezer. Just trying to think where they are likely to be. Is there anything i should look out for?

Thanks.

Aaron.

[Dave_Conway]

Re: Indesit C 239 NF (UK). Fridge OK – Freezer not working

goody_1000 wrote:Do they register the heat generated or the cold in the freezer.

The cold in the freezer 😉

But, they are foamed in on this model and aren’t replaceable.

I would be looking at the defrost heaters to be honest (with the power off :zap:)

If you’re unsure, try the repairs@ link below for an engineer 🙂

Dave.

[expertcat]

when they brought them out the only problem was the main pcb you could change that.
the heaters was ok but the defrost sensor might be the problem but that cant be replaced.pcb can be replaced and that cured all the ones i went to.

[goody_1000]

Re: Indesit C 239 NF (UK). Fridge OK – Freezer not working

The cold in the freezer

Thanks

But, they are foamed in on this model and aren’t replaceable.

Bugger.. what crap design.

I would be looking at the defrost heaters to be honest (with the power off )

Hmmm what do they look like. Defrost heaters.. Sounds like they switch on to defrost the freezer? How would they be at fault. It does get round to de-freezing but only when it’s uber frozen.

If you’re unsure, try the repairs@ link below for an engineer

Woot and spend my hard earned cash! 😯

Thanks Dave.

the defrost sensor might be the problem but that cant be replaced.pcb can be replaced and that cured all the ones i went to.

How can i test the defrost sensor? Do you know where it is. I havn’t taken my screwdriver to it yet but i can see a sensor (long and thin)clamped to the pipe inside the freezer at the front. I would like to rule it out prior to buying a board.

when they brought them out the only problem was the main pcb you could change that.

Can you remeber how much they are. Is it cheapest to source from manufacturer or supplier?

Thanks gents.

Aaron.

[Dave_Conway]

Re: Indesit C 239 NF (UK). Fridge OK – Freezer not working

As a guide, the PCB is £48 and the defrost heater £36.96, both ex VAT and carriage.

They’ll be the same price wherever to be honest as they are only available from Merloni in the first place.

Dave.

[major]

Re: Indesit C 239 NF (UK). Fridge OK – Freezer not working

Hi, I had same bother. 🙁 unit was 1yr 9 months old?( i got a 2 year warrenty).engineer did a complete overhaul under warrenty costing over £500 to indisit( only cost £269.99) but 9 months down line same problem occours. 😡 indisit have offered £90 off any new model, from indisit,hotpoint and other makes that are linked to indiset ,just looking at comet/currys. 😕

[kwikphix]

Re: Indesit C 239 NF (UK). Fridge OK – Freezer not working

Just to give you all a follow up to this snag ( before posting another Q about my faulty Bosch washing machine 👿 ).

I’ve had idesit service guys out on two occasions. each time it was discovered that the refrigerant had leaked out , unfortunately they were unable to either trace the location of, or fix the leak. The did top up the refrigerant on both occasions to ‘keep me going ‘ until a replacement machine arrived. I ordered the replacement about 4 weeks ago now, and keep getting apology notes from Indesit/Hotpoint saying there will be another 2 week delay. I am still in the same situation as before with the freezer being very unreliable , but the fridge working fine.

Based on my experience I could not personally recomend this brand to anybody.

[Author]

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