[Hoggy]

Re: Zanussi Fridge Freezer defrosting on freezer

Thanks. I feared as much so will probable wait for the fridge to give up or the next sales to arrive as we have big freezer in garage for the frozen stuff.

[Hoggy]

Re: Zanussi Fridge Freezer defrosting on freezer

Got around to checking wiring on the defrost heater for fridge and this is OK – it is NOT open circuit.

However I have had another look in freezer compartment when compressor is running. I removed rear cover, insulation panel to expose fan and evaporator coil. Although fan is running, the coil in freezer is not getting cold but the fridge is still chilling. The problem was previously intermittent but has now become a permanent failure of the freezer to get cold. I am assuming that both the fridge and freezer evaporators work from the same continuous pipework.

Any ideas and does this sound terminal.

[Hoggy]

Re: Zanussi Fridge Freezer defrosting on freezer

Simon

I could be being a little thick here but the stat only has three contacts (besides earth). these are numbered 4, 6, 3 – 6 is the live feed in, (I cannot remember which is which on the others without taking housing off) but one (lets say 3) is connected to the temperature switching function of the stat and the other (4) is connected to the on / off function of the stat. These white wires which we believe to be the defrost heater are connected to pins 3 and 4. There are no other pins. So I am struggling to see that the white wires form a circuit as one is connected to the live pin 4 (live so long as stat is switched on) and one connected to the temperature switched pin 3 that drives the compressor. I understand that somehow these wires are part of the defrost circuit but do not see how at the moment. I can get the meter on them at weekend.

[Hoggy]

Re: Zanussi Fridge Freezer defrosting on freezer

Simon

I’m not sure about the white wires. They are connected to pins 3 and 4 on stat. Without looking, I cannot remember which way round but one of the pins is fed from the switch on the stat so is effectively always live so long as stat not switched off and the other is switched by the stat depending on temperature setting so would be live when the compressor is running. Therefore I cannot see how they are a circuit as they would then form a bridge and make compressor work continually.

There is apparently some form of heater for the back of fridge to defrost it at end of every compressor cycle – according to fridge instruction book. These wires must have something to do with the defrost operation but i am thinking that they connect to a relay switch somewhere but without circuit diagram then I’m at a loss.

Anyone have an idea how I can get hold of circuit diagram or more info? My other big freezer has the diagram stuck on its back panel. If there is problem with the defrost heater on the fridge then is it curtains for the fridge as the heater must be sealed inside insulation? I checked out all of the freezer defrost circuits that are driven by the timer switch and they are working OK.

[Hoggy]

Re: Zanussi Fridge Freezer defrosting on freezer

Alex

The FF is in kitchen which is usually warm enough but this weather and overnight is getting below 12 deg C. I have never noticed any problem until this year. I had the thermostat housing off to replace stat and did not see any red switch. Is this the only way of altering the switch off time?

Any other suggestions out there as to how I can get freezer colder if only the fridge stat operates compressor?

Do you know what these other white wires attached to stat pins 3 and 4 do?

[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

[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

[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

[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

[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

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