Lec fridges are built with functionality, sleekness, and ease of use in mind. However, they are not immune to cooling glitches. If your Lec fridge is not cooling, we have put together this brief guide to help you diagnose and fix the problem in no time.
Table of Contents
Why Is My Lec Fridge Not Cooling?
The most common reasons why your Lec fridge is not cooling include:
1. Dirty Condenser Coils
The metal frames at the bottom rear of your Lec fridge are the condenser coils. These coils dissipate the heat from the refrigerant after the gas absorbs it from the air to make the fridge air cool. That way, the ompressor and fans, components of the cooling system, do not overheat and compromise the cooling capacity.
The condenser coils will lose their effectiveness if they are covered in dirt, leading to cooling problems. This is because the dirt insulates the coils and makes heat dissipation dificult. Take a close look at the condenser coils to see if they need to be cleaned.
If they do, use a vacuum cleaner or small brush to thoroughly clean them. Also, refrigerator manufacturers and experts recommend that you clean the evaporator coils of your fridge at least once in six months.
2. Damaged Thermostat
If the thermostat of your Lec fridge is damaged, there will be nothing to signal it to cool. The thermosta regulates the voltage to the cooling system. It detects the air temperature and transmits it to the control board. Then, the board can provide the required voltage for the compressor and fan motors to run without making the fridge too cold.
Spin the dial of the thermostat from the lowest level to the highest level. If you hear a click sound, everything is good with the thermostat. However, if you don’t hear the click sound, Run a continuity test on the component using a multimeter. And if you fid no continuity, consider getting a new thermostat for your fridge.
3. Faulty Condenser Fan Motor
Air moves over the condenser coils with the help of the condenser fan motor. The air keeps the coils from becoming too hot and overheating the compressor or entire fridge.
The condenser coils tend to get hot as they condense the refrigerant or release the heat from the appliance. However, a faulty condenser fan motor prevents this cooling process and the fridge may overheat, restricting the cooling process.
So, the big question on your mind is: how do you know that the condenser fan motor is broken? Well, observe the component after spinning it. If you notice any slight resistance, the condenser fan motor may have worn bearings, which means the motor needs a replacement.
To be doubly sure the cooling problem emanates from the condenser fan motor, carry out a continuity test using a multimeter. Replace the motor if there is no continuity.
4. Defective Door Seals
The door seals of your Lec fridge helps to prevent cold air from escaping. The seals work by creating a tight seal, building a bit of pressure to keep the doors shut. Sometimes, cold air can still manage to escape, even with the doors closed, which can cause cooling problems.
The most common way of knowing if the door seals are defective is to place a piece of paper between the door and the main body of the fridge, and to try pulling it out with the door closed. If the paper pulls out without any resistance, then the door seals are defective.
If you clean out the grime and dust and the door seals still allow air to escape, then go for a replacement.
5. Faulty Start Relay
The compressor of your fridge does not start without a power boost from the start relay. The relay ensures there is enough power for the compressor to start because the motor usually needs a lot of power for the initial start. However, the relay can become defective over time and unable to power the compressor.
You may hear clicking noises as the compressor tries and fails to start. A continuity test between the start and run terminals of the start relay will tell you whether you need to go for a replacement. If you do not see any continuity or the resistance value is incorrect according to the fridge’s tech sheet, replace the start relay.
Also, if your Lec fridge emits a burnt smell, that could be a sign that the start relay is not working.
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6. Overstocked Fridge
While the aforementioned reasons for not cooling may not be your fault, having an overstocked fridge is definitely your doing. If your fridge does not have space for cold air to circulate, cooling will take longer than normal.
In light of this, ensure that the food items in your fridge are well spaced with nothing blocking the air vents. Observe the cooling condition for 24 hours and if nothing changes, then something else is the issue.
7. Faulty Evaporator Fan Motor
The evaporator fan motor is designed to circulate air throughout the fridge. If your fridge is at the optimum temperature and it still does not cool, that is an indication of a faulty evaporator fan motor.
Just like the condenser fan motor, the evaporator fan motor can be troubleshot in two ways: manually by rotation and continuity testing. With the result, you will know whether to get a new evaporator fan motor or not. Check out this video to see how to fix a fridge that suddenly stops cooling…
8. Malfunctioning Compressor
A malfunctioning compressor can also top the fridge from cooling. Since the compressor is the heart of the cooling system, a fault can keep the fridge from cooling. Other components may also have trouble running if the compressor cannot power the fridge.
Unfortunately, testing the compressor is complex and will require the expertise of a professional technician. Also, replacing a compressor is expensive, so compare it to the cost of a new fridge before deciding.
Check out these other articles on refrigerators not cooling for other brands…
- Dometic Refrigerator Not Cooling [Simple Solution]
- Engel Fridge Not Cooling [Quick Fix]
- Waeco Fridge Not Cooling – What to Do
- JennAir Refrigerator Not Cooling [What to Do]
- Norcold Refrigerator Not Cooling [What to Do]
- Neff Fridge Not Cooling [What to Do]
- U-Line Refrigerator Not Cooling [How to Fix]
Quick Recap
If your Lec fridge is not cooling, we recommend that you troubleshoot the evaporator fan motor, condenser fan motor, thermostat, start relay, condenser coils, and door seals to get to the bottom of the problem. After troubleshooting, you can replace the defective part(s) or hire a technician to fix it if that is more cost-effective.
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