When a Magic Chef refrigerator compressor has issues, the refrigerator will stop working efficiently. Therefore, it is important to fix it quickly.
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Magic Chef Refrigerator Compressor Hot – Quick Fix
Low refrigerant is one of the leading causes of a hot compressor in a Magic Chef refrigerator. And a leak in the sealed system causes the refrigerant level to drop.
You will need the services of a certified technician to check the refrigerant and the sealed system. This is usually not a task you can perform yourself unless you have the technical know-how.
If there is a leak, the technician is in the best position to recommend a fix. But note that it is important to fix any leak in the pipes before adding refrigerant. Otherwise, the leak will continue, growing bigger as time goes by.
Other Possible Causes…
Setting the thermostat too low is another reason why the compressor runs hot. The refrigerator will stop cooling when the thermostat is set low.
And when this happens, the compressor picks up speed and works overtime to fix the cooling issue. In the end, it will begin to overheat.
You should also check the condenser fan. See if the blades are still turning. If they are not, clean them and make sure nothing is keeping them from turning smoothly.
Now, run a continuity test on the motor using a multimeter. This is because the blades point to how well the motor is functioning. If they are clean and free of any obstruction yet have a hard time spinning, the motor bearings are worn.
So if you don’t find continuity in the motor, replace it.
The condenser coils have the job of removing heat from the refrigerant during the compression process. This way, the compressor does not overheat and the heat does not transfer to the refrigerator.
If the coils are dirty, they cannot efficiently perform their duty. As a result, the refrigerator will become warm and the compressor will try to lower the temperature. In the process, it becomes hot.
Lastly, check the evaporator fan. Its job is to spread cold air in the refrigerator. If the motor stops working or the blades are restricted, the refrigerator’s internal temperature will start to rise due to a lack of cold air.
Consequently, the compressor begins to run constantly to cool the refrigerator. The extra work makes it hot.
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Note: These fixes also apply to all Magic Chef refrigerators, mini-fridges, and freezers. The sealed system leak especially applies to the freezers.
Magic Chef Refrigerator Compressor Not Running – How to Fix
Check the following if the compressor of a Magic Chef refrigerator stops running:
1. Start Relay
Disconnect the refrigerator from the wall outlet and wait about 15 minutes. This is to give the compressor and relay some time to cool.
Next, pull the relay out from where it is attached to the compressor. Shake it to see if there is a rattle. It shouldn’t rattle at all so if it does, it is an indication that it is bad. And if you smell a burnt odor, replace it.
However, if there is no rattle or burnt smell, check it for continuity with a multimeter. Do this between the start and run terminals. If there is no continuity, replace the relay.
A compressor can stop running if the start relay is defective. This is because it provides a power boost for the compressor to run. In other words, the compressor relies heavily on the start relay for normal operations.
2. Thermostat
Check the thermostat to be sure it is not turned way too low. Setting it low affects the compressor; it may not run as well as it should.
The refrigerator stops cooling if it is low. And because of this, the compressor is automatically compelled to fill in the gap by working to cool the unit. It overworks itself and may stop working overtime if the trend continues.
3. Power Supply
This may not affect the compressor without affecting other things in the refrigerator such as the lights. So it only applies if nothing is working in the refrigerator. However, if the voltage supply drops, the compressor may trip off.
Begin with the cord. Check to see if there is any damage to it. Damages such as burns or fraying are easily visible. Therefore, if you find any, replace the cord.
If the cord is in good working condition, then check the fuses and circuit breaker. Have an electrician check them and fix the faulty ones.
The wall outlet into which the power cord is plugged may be faulty, thereby being unable to give enough voltage output. To determine this, plug another appliance into it. If the appliance does not come on, replace the outlet or relocate the refrigerator.
4. Condenser Coils
Move the refrigerator a little to be able to inspect the condenser coils. If they are underneath the unit, use a flashlight to be able to see them well.
More likely than not, they are dirty. This is especially true if you have not cleaned them before. You may opt to use the services of a professional to clean them. But if you are going to do the cleaning yourself, it is quite easy.
Get a vacuum cleaner and attach a hose or brush to it. If you have a condenser cleaning brush, use it. However, if you have none of these, use a leaf blower.
Clean the coils until there is no dirt or dust visible on them. Then, feel them in order to be sure they are not sticky. Stickiness means the coils are not yet clean enough. So, get a cloth, soak it in soapy water and wipe the coils until all the greasiness is gone.
Now, sweep the floor to remove the dust and dirt so it does not stick to the coils again and so soon. Be sure to repeat the cleaning process every year or twice a year.
5. Condenser Fan
A look at the fan will tell you whether or not it is running. If the blades are not turning, something is wrong.
Clean them and check for any object that may be restricting them. If there is any, remove it. Otherwise, turn the blades to check how well they turn. If there is any stiffness, consider replacing the motor. The bearings may be worn.
To be sure, take a multimeter and test the motor to see if it has continuity. If there is no continuity, replace the motor.
6. Compressor
Sometimes, the compressor is the first thing people check when it stops working. But it hardly fails so if it is no longer working, it is usually the fault of some other component.
However, if none of the above components is faulty or is causing the problem, test the compressor. Remove the start relay and check for resistance on the three pins by the side.
If the resistance does not tally with the recommended numbers, replace the compressor. And if you are not sure how to run this test, contact a licensed technician to do it and replace the compressor if need be.
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Recap
Troubleshoot a Magic Chef refrigerator compressor that is not working using the points in this article. You will find the origin and fix it faster this way.
But if it seems like too much of a chore, contact Magic Chef, report the issue, and request service. You can choose to use our technicians. Chat with any of them with the chatbox to your right.
Unplug the refrigerator or freezer before taking troubleshooting steps. This is the first step in protecting yourself from accidental electric shock.
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