Is your Engel fridge not cooling? Use this article as a troubleshooting and repair guide. We will shed light on why your fridge is not cooling enough or not cooling at all, even though there is power.
Table of Contents
Engel Fridge Cooling Fan Not Working – Causes and Solutions
If the cooling fan (evaporator fan) of your Engel fridge is not working, the following may be the causes and solutions:
i. Defective Evaporator Fan Motor
The evaporator fan motor facilitates air circulation throughout the fridge. So, if it fails, there will be a rise in the temperature of your fridge.
You have to troubleshoot the evaporator fan motor of your Engel fridge by running a continuity test to know if it needs replacement. You will need a multimeter to run a continuity test on the fan motor windings to determine whether or not there is continuity. Replace the motor if you find no continuity and also ensure the blade spins well.
ii. Physical Obstruction
Another thing to consider if your fridge is not cooling is whether there is something obstructing the fan blades. Once you notice the cooling fan is not working, unplug the fridge and take out the evaporator fan cover.
Many times, the issue is a result of ice accumulation on the evaporator fan blades. More worrisome is if the metal fan blades of your Engel fridge are bent because of the ice clogging issue. If you notice the evaporator fan blades are bent, do not attempt to straighten them because they will lose their balance.
It is crucial to find out why there is a significant amount of ice on the fan, which may also mean that the evaporator coils are frozen. This problem usually stems from a weak door gasket or not closing the refrigerator or freezer door tightly. If there is any compromise in the seal to keep warm air out, the coils and fan in the freezer begin to freeze.
Another possibility is if the compressor and fans constantly run, causing the refrigerator to produce more cold air than is needed. Additionally, the appliance may have a sealed system leak, which may manifest as ice building on one side of the coils. Let a qualified technician troubleshoot further and fix the problem.
Apart from ice buildup, the issue might be dirt or dust buildup on the bearings of the fan. If defrosting and oiling the evaporator fan does not work, consider getting a new one.
iii. No Voltage Transmission to the Fan
If the evaporator fan motor is not defective and there is no physical obstruction, check to ensure the voltage is getting to the evaporator fan motor’s terminals. To do that, place your analog or digital multimeter on its AC voltage terminal and join the test leads via alligator clips.
But then, ensure that the test leads do not have any contact with the fridge cabinet. Turn ON the fridge and look at the meter reading. If it shows 120 volts, then it means there is no voltage transmission problem.
However, if it displays “0”, it is an indication that there is no voltage getting to the evaporator fan motor. At this point, you can call a technician to resolve the issue.
iv. Bad Thermostatic Control
If your fridge fan is not working, it is most likely that voltage is not getting to it. This can be as a result of a disconnected cable or defective thermostatic control.
To know the exact source of the problem, take off the thermostatic control from the fridge cabinet, and perform a continuity test on both terminals of the cables. If the cable reading checks out, your last resort is to get a new thermostatic control.
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Engel Fridge Light On But Not Cooling – How to Fix It
If your Engel fridge is not cooling, but the light is ON, you can save some extra cash by following these steps to troubleshoot it:
i. Disconnect the Power Supply
Before you start any troubleshooting process, it is of utmost importance that you turn off its power supply. In the same vein, you have to take out all food items so you can easily access all corners of the fridge.
ii. Check the Fridge Temperature
If you take a look at the Engel fridge interior, you will see a knob that is used for temperature regulation. If the temperature of the fridge is very high, the fridge will be unable to cool because the compressor will be affected. This knob typically shows numbers; the higher the number is, the colder the temperature. And the lower the number is, the warmer the internal temperature will be.
Turn the knob in an anticlockwise direction to reduce the temperature, and observe for some minutes if the compressor runs. If it does not, the problem is with the temperature control knob. Replacing the temperature control knob or hiring a repairman can resolve this issue. Otherwise, you may have a compressor problem.
iii. Diagnose the Airflow
All fridges require adequate space for airflow. It is recommended that you give about three inches gap between the walls of your house and your fridge. Also, there should be a minimum of one-inch space between the fridge top and the ceiling.
If your fridge is not spaced like that, the cooling problem may be a result of inadequate ventilation. So, move the fridge to a more spacious location. Creat two to three inches of space on both sides and behind the appliance. Do not have a cluster around it to encourage proper air circulation.
iv. Troubleshoot the Condenser Coils
The condenser coils of the Engel fridge are black. Locate these coils at the rear of the fridge and check if they are dirty. If they are, clean them with a small brush.
If the coils are extremely dirty (say, you cleaned them last two years ago), use a little soap when cleaning them. This will help them regain their cooling efficiency.
v. Check the Compressor
The last thing you can do if your Engel fridge is not cooling, even though its light is ON, is to check if the compressor is defective. To do this, unplug the fridge and wait for about 2 – 3 hours before plugging it back in.
Now, observe if the compressor starts running. If it does not, the problem may be a result of the compressor overheating. You can replace the compressor or hire a repairman to fix it.
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Why is My Engel Fridge Not Cooling Enough?
There’s are several reasons why an Engel fridge may not cool as much as you want it to. Check the following areas to see if the issue is resolved:
i. Ambient Temperature
If the temperature of the surrounding is not equal to the temperature of the fridge, cooling will be difficult. For this reason, it is recommended that you do not place your Engel fridge in a garage or hot environment.
ii. Door Seals
If the ambient temperature is not the problem, the next area to check is the door seals. Check for any signs of wear and tear, and cracks. If you notice any gap between the cabinet of the fridge and the door seals, it may be why your fridge is not cooling enough.
You have to reposition the door seals by pulling the door towards your direction. If there is still an opening, you should replace the door seals.
iii. The Number of Food Items
While your Engel fridge can contain quite a number of food items, it may become a problem if there is no space for air circulation. For all corners of the fridge to get cool, air needs to be adequately circulated, and that cannot happen if your fridge is overstocked.
So, take out the food items blocking the air vents, and the fridge should get cooler if that was the source of the issue.
iv. Condenser Coils
The condenser coils are installed for giving off the heat produced by the fridge during operation. If these coils are covered with dust, debris, and dirt, they cannot function effectively.
So, unplug your Engel fridge and move to the location of the coils at the back of the fridge. Even if the condenser coils are not that dirty, clean them. Especially, if you have not done so in the last six months. While you can use a piece of cloth to clean the condenser coils, a vacuum with a low suction power will be more effective.
v. Internal Light
The internal light of your Engel fridge goes out when the doors are shut. To know if the internal light is the source of your cooling problem, close the door slowly, and observe if the light goes out. If it does not, that means the bulb may be producing heat while the fridge is working, thereby increasing the temperature of the fridge.
At this point, you have to hire a technician to remove the bulb and install a new one. Then again, if you have a little technical know-how, and you do not have extra cash for hiring, you can follow the instructions on the user’s guide to fixing a new bulb. Check out the video below to better understand how to fix a fridge internal light…
Check out these other articles on refrigerators not cooling for other brands…
- Dometic Refrigerator Not Cooling [Simple Solution]
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- JennAir Refrigerator Not Cooling [What to Do]
- Lec Fridge Not Cooling [How to Fix]
- Norcold Refrigerator Not Cooling [What to Do]
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- U-Line Refrigerator Not Cooling [How to Fix]
Final Notes
The Engel fridge is an exquisitely built appliance that is easy to use and maintain. If anything goes wrong with its cooling system, you can fix it within minutes if you follow our guide.
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