WendyG Posted July 3, 2009 Share Posted July 3, 2009 Hi allI purchased a Curtiss fridge for the guest annexe which is not used all the time so is left unplugged.Last time plugged it in and discovered not working (about 5 years old - used less than 1 year in total).Any helpful suggestions - other than the tip - would be gratefully received.I have an old fridge in UK whch is at least 15 years old and gets turned and off as needed and it still springs into life when switched on.Not at all happy with French appliances so far.Fridge needed for friends next month and do not really want to go out and buy another one at great expense compared to UK.ThanksWendy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fridgeman Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 Hello WendyIn my experience I have found fridge kit does not being turned off for long periods.......but lets just check a few things .....is there any sound at all when you turn it on?Humming?.........Clicking?..........if humming does the compressor (the black dome on the bottom back) get hot?Come back to me with answers and let see if we can work out what may be the fault.Depending where you are I could take a look Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnRoss Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 Could add does the internal light come on when you open the door and does the black grid at the back get warm? I think some just leak the refrigerant away as the years go by...............................................JR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 As a last resort try thwacking the compressor, I have a dehumidifier that often needs to be kick started Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 Start by plugging it in. Not as stupid as it sounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerdesal Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 WB, the OP said it was plugged in, however.......plug another known working appliance into the fridge socket and check if you actually have leccy available at that point. ie, do the simple stuff before anything else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 Check the fuse ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerdesal Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 RH, its assumed that the OP is in France, as you know, there are no fuses in plugs in France. I suppose it could have a UK plug with a fuse and be used with an adaptor into a French socket.....but why would anyone do that????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 Who knows, it was just a thought....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5-element Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 If the light comes on when the fridge is plugged in, but nothing else happens at all, i.e. no motor noise, no sign of life except for the internal light, it is likely to be the thermostat - which can normally be changed.I found this when my 6-year old Whirlpool fridge did just that - the shop I'd bought it from said "Bin it, it's too old, must buy a new one!". Another shop, where they do "dépannage", came to take it away - bringing me another, reconditioned fridge to tie me over, and then told me it was the thermostat - could be fixed for 80-90 euros. This is where they said the thermostat is the most likely part to go wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WendyG Posted July 4, 2009 Author Share Posted July 4, 2009 HiSorry not to have replied before but have been away for a few days.Yes fridge light does come on when plugged in - no hum or any kind of noise. Note about the thermostat -, if this is the case then it might be cheaper to get someone to bring me a new one from UK as they are still much cheaper than the French ones.Thanks for all the suggestions I am in department 37 bordering on 86 (12 miles from Loudon).Might try the suggestion of a tap on the thermostat - cannot do any harm and might do the trick!Thanks to you all for your suggestions.Wendy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 A sign, but not conclusive that the thermostat is working is that you should hear a faint click as you turn it up or down throught its full range.Kick the compressor [6] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnRoss Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 Something I did to check for a faulty thermostat and that is to find the two connections to the thermostat and short them together and see if the compressor runs. Do make sure you have not found the wiring to the door switch and lamp or the wiring to the compressor. ! Of course you need to make sure the fridge is unplugged when playing with the wiring and to make sure the temporary connection does not touch anything like the surrounding metalwork of the fridge! Then stand well back and plug in and see if it runs. Don't be tempted to touch anything on the fridge whilst it is running in this state. Best not to try if you have zero electrical appliance experience however it is a pretty conclusive test one way or the other............................................JR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ViVienne Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 our fridge in France is also very temperamental, it seems to be something to do with the house being shut up for long periods of time, as once we have all the doors and windows open it clicks into life....it also gets a bit miffed when it's very hot weather, it's does lots of clicking but the motor won't kick in. It only seems to work ok once we have phoned the gitem engineer to come out and look at it.! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonzjob Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 Wendy, the best thing is to get someone qualified in to have a look at it for you. With the best will you are obviously not an electrician and as such if you get it wrong it will bite!See if you can get a recomendation from a neighbour for someone to check it. It's much cheaper than a possible accident!Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5-element Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 In order to get a pro to have a look at it, I would look in Pages Jaunes for a white goods shop under "électro-ménager" that does "dépannage". That was the tip I got from our electrician, who doesn't touch "appliances". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TefkaC Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 Hello Wendy, Le Cerc in Loudun are good for electrical repairs....Not the main store they have a workshop on the back road to the market..Regards.Charlie.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon griffin Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 Hiif there is no sound from compressor...black pot at back...then 9 times out of ten it will be the thermostat...a univesal stat will fit at no more than 10 pounds in uk.....ime a fridge engineer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WendyG Posted July 15, 2009 Author Share Posted July 15, 2009 Hi thereThanks for all the info. Will try suggestions.Wendy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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