LG fridge freezer making loud buzzing then clicking
LG GSL761PZXV American-style fridge freezer has started buzzing loudly then clicking off every few minutes, and the fridge isn't as cold as it was. Could this be the compressor relay (start device) or the condenser fan? Worried it's about to pack in.
1 Answer
It does sound like the compressor is trying to start, buzzing, then cutting out on overload, which can be caused by the start device, capacitor (if fitted), poor ventilation, a stalled fan, or the compressor itself. The reduced cooling fits with that. Before checking anything internal, isolate the appliance from the mains.
1. Check where the noise is coming from Pull the fridge freezer out and listen at the back. If the buzzing/clicking is from the compressor area (the black canister), that points more towards the start relay/overload or compressor. If it is clearly from a fan motor, the fan is more suspect.
2. Check condenser airflow Make sure the rear/lower condenser area is not choked with dust and that there is good ventilation around the cabinet. A blocked condenser or failed condenser fan can cause overheating and poor cooling.
3. Inspect the condenser fan If your model has an external condenser fan by the compressor, check whether it is running freely and not obstructed. A seized or noisy fan can cause overheating, but it would not usually cause the classic compressor buzz-then-click on its own.
4. Consider the start device If the compressor tries to start for a few seconds, buzzes, then clicks off repeatedly, the start relay/overload is a reasonable suspect. However, the same symptom can also mean a failing compressor drawing too much current.
5. Note the compressor temperature If the compressor becomes very hot and keeps cutting out, that strengthens the overload/start fault or compressor fault diagnosis.
If you are not confident, this is one for a qualified refrigeration engineer, as sealed system and compressor work should not be DIY. Hopefully it is only the start device, but it is worth checking the fan and airflow first.
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