Zanussi Fridge Freezer keeps defrosting

[Hoggy]

Can anyone help on my problem. I have Zanussi DF62/21 that the freezer compartment defrosts intermitently. When it does there is unpleasant smell in freezer even when empty. I have checked the defrost timer which I think is going slow it takes about 16 hours for complete cycle – could this be part of problem? The timer switch does operate switching correctly between freeze and defrost mode. When it last defrosted I turned the switch manually through a full cycle with screwdriver but although it clicked it did not kick the compessor in, I tried altering the thermostat in the fridge but that did not help either – should it be possible to hear the thermostat click when you adjust temperature? Then if I wait awhile, the thing will miraculously start up again and begin freezing. It all seems rather random.

[kwatt]

Re: Zanussi Fridge Freezer keeps defrosting

I’m not familiar with that particular model as such but it sounds as if it could be a compressor failure at worst or a plethora of other little things gone wrong. 😕

Intermittent faults, oh how we love them! 😆

On the older 62/21’s that’s what I would guess at although, as I said, there are other things that could be faulty, including the defrost timer itself but a 16 hour cycle could well be about right, there’s various times for those and one of the Zanussi guys should be able to shed a bit more light on that for you.

K.

[johnboy]

Re: Zanussi Fridge Freezer keeps defrosting

Is the appliance in an area of low ambient temperature of 10 degree or less If it is it may need a ambient heater fitting to it. The other concern is the smell ! Is it an electrical smell. It is known for the thermal cut-out stats to overheat. These are situated behind the rear panel in the freezer; worth checking !!!Disconnect plug first!!!

[Hoggy]

Re: Zanussi Fridge Freezer keeps defrosting

K

Thanks for reply.

I do not think that it is the compressor as such. The fridge seems OK and the compressor gets hot but the freezer stays warm. This makes me think it has something to do with the controls for freezer. The stat in the fridge compartment has a mass of wires going into it including two single wires contained in lightweight plastic tubing – anyone know what these are. I am planning to check out the circuits on the stat at weekend.

H

[Hoggy]

Re: Zanussi Fridge Freezer keeps defrosting

Johnboy

The FF is in kitchen so would not think a problem (except if get real cold this weekend). The smell isn’t electrical more just stale / rancid. I am wondering if something to do with the defrost heater staying on too long. Any thoughts?

H

[Dave_Conway]

Re: Zanussi Fridge Freezer keeps defrosting

As this is only a partially frost free unit, the fridge section relies on a standard auto defrost thermostat/evaporator control rather than fan assisted cold air which also switches the compressor on and off, that’s where the problem will lie I think to be honest.

Next time it cuts out and fails to come back on, tap the thermostat housing in the fridge, sometimes it will “encourage” the stat to cut back in.

Hope that helps.

Dave.

[Hoggy]

Re: Zanussi Fridge Freezer keeps defrosting

Dave – thanks I will try that but need to wait again until FF fails. I am confused by the stat in fridge. When the FF is cooling, I can turn off the compressor by reducing setting on stat – say from 4 to 2. However, I cannot then restart compressor by turning it up again to 4 – does it have some sort of delay or could stat be the fault?

Do you know what the two single wires in the thin plastic tubing are, they appear to go into insulation at back of FF so I am assuming the a thermistor.

H

[Dave_Conway]

Re: Zanussi Fridge Freezer keeps defrosting

There is a sort of delay yes, it’s an auto defrost thermostat which has a huge differential between cut out and cut in.

Which two thin leads ? Connected to the fridge thermostat ?
if it’s those they are are normally a heater around the door to prevent ice build up.

Dave.

[Hoggy]

Re: Zanussi Fridge Freezer keeps defrosting

Dave

There are two wires sheathed in a thin white plastic tube. The wires connect to two separate terminals on stat then come out of back of unit at top (fridge section) then down rear of unit and disappear behind the condenser back panel into the casing just over half way down back (where freezer section is – this is lower 1/3 of unit)

Back on the stat, it will not even come on when turned back to max – does this sound right?

H

[Dave_Conway]

Re: Zanussi Fridge Freezer keeps defrosting

Hoggy wrote:Back on the stat, it will not even come on when turned back to max – does this sound right?

Yes, it won’t react as you’d expect a normal “switch” to.

Don’t concern yourself with the other leads, there will be no problem there 😉

Set the fridge thermostat to full and leave the door open, it should react within 20 minutes at most and cut back in (normally)

Please remember I am only “distance diagnosing” here, but in general auto defrost stats are by far and away the most common cause of intermittent problems with refrigeration (if they have one fitted of course).

Dave.

[Hoggy]

Re: Zanussi Fridge Freezer keeps defrosting

Dave – appreciate your thoughts and fact that you are owning diagnosing from my comments.

Any idea where I can get spares locally in Worcestershire B98 0QZ, I have not been able to identify stat for this model – probably obsolete part – is there a standard / universal part do you know?

H

[Penguin45]

Re: Zanussi Fridge Freezer keeps defrosting

Hoggy,
The thermostat is still available. P/no 2262143-02/3 fits all DF62/21FF models, p/no 2262127-03/4 fits DF62/21FF-C only.

Contact spares@ukwhitegoods.com for prices and to order.

Regards,
Penguin45.

[admin]

Re: Zanussi Fridge Freezer ZK 56/38 RF

The unit stopped freezing but carried on humming. Engineers suggested the compressor had failed. When one came to collect the unit for repair he said it was not the compressor and this make of Zanussi is infamous because of difficult faults. It might be an internal gas leak and this model use a different type of gas.

Having consulted another engineer his firm declined the repair job and made no call out charge.

What is the problem with this model and is there anyone in the Brighton area that would do an economic repair.

Thanks Patrick

[skankz]

Re: Zanussi Fridge Freezer keeps defrosting

HOGGY: your fridge is ok and freezer not. thermostat would not cause this simptom. problem on defrost ciruit would cause whole appliance to fail as compressor cannot rut on defrost. timer fault would cause appliance to ice up as it runs for 16 hrs and when defrost is activated heater uses nutral from timer as live to stop timer from running. thermal cut-out then brakes circuit on heater and timer runs for 5 minutes before power is restored to compresser. as timer is 16 hrs run and 5 minutes off this would be unlikely fault. 2 white wires that come from stat are most likely to be drain heater in fridge as this appliance uses hot gas pipes for keeping feezer door free of ice and condesation. this suggests that your appliance is short of gas or restricted.

[skankz]

Re: Zanussi Fridge Freezer keeps defrosting

p.ginnelly: The unit stopped freezing but carried on humming. Engineers suggested the compressor had failed.

model use a different type of gas? R12 R134a R600 what other type of gas would be used on domestic refrigeration. Zanussi uses same gases as all other makes, with the exception of R12 (drop in can be use) thier should be no problem. compressor is pricey though. £130 to £200 depending on size of unit. try Expert appliance care. they fix anything I hear.

[Author]

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