Sub-Zero Refrigerator Not Cooling

If you have been battling cooling issues in your Sub-Zero refrigerator, this article will show you how to solve issues with Sub Zero refrigerator not cooling.

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Sub-Zero Refrigerator Not Cooling – How to Fix

If your Sub-Zero refrigerator is not cooling, there are different parts of the unit to check and they are:

Condenser Fan Motor

Look at the blades of the fan. Is there anything obstructing their movement? Be sure to remove them and clean the blades well. Next thing to do is to turn the blades with your hand. If they turn without any hitch, then the motor is fine. But if they don’t, the motor is bad and need to be replaced.

Condenser Coils

Check the condenser coils under the refrigerator. Looking at them will tell you if they are dirty or not. Clean them very well if they are and see if there is any change in the coolness of the refrigerator. Condenser coils should be cleaned at least once a year.

Evaporator Fan Motor

Spin the blades of the fan with your hand. If they turn with some difficulty, the fan motor has a problem and needs to be changed. Also, listen for any strange sound coming from the motor. That will tell you that the motor has developed a fault. Lastly, if you don’t hear the motor running, test it with a multimeter for continuity. If there is none, change it.

Start Capacitor

Test the capacitor, which is by the side of the compressor, with a multimeter. If there is no continuity, change it. Without it, the chances of the compressor running are low.

Start Relay

Check the relay, which is attached to the side of the compressor, for continuity using a multimeter. If there is none, it is bad and needs replacing. A bad relay means the compressor will not run well or not run at all.

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Sub-Zero Fridge Not Cooling after Power Outage

After a power outage, check the power cord of the fridge to be sure it didn’t burn. Also, check the wall socket for any burns. Then, go to the circuit breaker and power it off. Leave it that way for 20 minutes, at least. Power it back on after this time and see if there is any change.

If there is no change, then check the start relay attached to the body of the compressor. The power going off and coming on could have burnt it. Detach it from the compressor and shake it. If there is a rattling, then it is bad and needs to be replaced.

But if there is nothing wrong with the relay, the problem could be with the compressor. You will have to find a qualified technician to take a look at it to determine if it is indeed bad. That will tell you if you need to buy a new fridge.

Check out these other articles on refrigerators not cooling for other brands…

Sub-Zero Refrigerator Not Cooling Properly but Freezer Is Fine – Quick Fix

Evaporator Coils

Check to see if the evaporator coils have an ice buildup on them. If they do, thaw the ice by using a hairdryer or defrosting the refrigerator manually. This means unplugging the unit or turning it off for some hours so the ice can melt.

If you have to do this, however, it means something is not right with the defrost system of your Sub Zero refrigerator. That is why the defrost heater did not come on to defrost the ice on the coils. Have it checked so you don’t have to go through the process again.

The evaporator coils are responsible for the flow of air in the refrigerator. If they are plugged with ice, then the flow of air will be poor or non-existent. The fridge section will be hard-hit while the freezer will remain cold.

Evaporator Fan Motor

If the fan motor is bad, the fan will not be able to blow cool air over the evaporator coils and also spread it throughout the refrigerator. If there is an unusual noise coming from the motor, it is bad. And if the blades of the fan do not turn freely, the motor is bad. Change it as soon as possible.

Air Damper

Check the air damper, between the freezer and fresh food section, to see if it is open, partially open or closed completely. If it is only partially open or closed, the refrigerator will not cool even though the freezer will remain cold. It means it is broken. This is because its opening and closing lets in the right amount of cool air into the refrigerator. Replace it quickly.

The video below describes how to properly diagnose the cause of the cooling problem in a Sub-Zero refrigerator...

Sub-Zero Refrigerator Drawers Not Cooling – Fast Fix

If the drawers of your Sub-Zero refrigerator is not cooling, there is a possible freon leak. This is not a repair you can make yourself. Call a technician to fix it.

The technician will also be in a better position to advise you on what to do if a freon leak is not the problem. So it is best to call one out to diagnose the problem correctly and fix it as soon as possible.

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