As an essential home appliance, refrigerators are designed to keep our food fresh and beverages cold. However, sometimes our refrigerator may have issues, and one of the most common problems is an unresponsive start relay. Often, it's the start relay that causes your refrigerator to stop working entirely. In this article, we will discuss the reasons, symptoms, and ways to bypass start relay on a refrigerator.
What is a Start Relay?
The start relay is a small but essential component present inside the refrigerator's compressor that controls the compressor's operation. It connects the compressor capacitor to the refrigerator's power source, allowing the compressor to turn on and off during the cooling cycle. If the start relay fails, the compressor won't turn on and, as a result, your fridge won't cool.
Reasons for Bypassing the Start Relay on a Refrigerator
There could be several reasons to bypass the start relay on your refrigerator. Some of the most common reasons are listed below:
Faulty Start Relay
A faulty start relay is one of the most common reasons behind the refrigerator's compressor not starting. If the start relay in your refrigerator is broken, you need to bypass it to troubleshoot the issue.
Out of Service Start Relay
If your refrigerator is old, the start relay may be worn out and not functioning as it should. In this case, bypassing the start relay could help you identify the root cause of the problem and perform the necessary repairs.
No Available Replacement Part
Sometimes replacement parts for older refrigerators can be hard to find or too expensive to purchase. In these instances, bypassing the start relay is a temporary solution to keep your fridge running while saving you money.
Symptoms of a Faulty Start Relay
Before you consider bypassing the start relay on your refrigerator, you need to understand the symptoms. Here are some of the most common symptoms of a faulty start relay:
- Noise from Compressor: If you hear a clicking sound coming from your fridge, it may be because the compressor is failing to start.
- Fridge Warmth: If your refrigerator isn't cooling adequately, even when turned up to the highest setting, it might be due to a faulty start relay.
- Fridge Not Starting: If the fridge isn't starting at all, it may be due to a faulty start relay that's failing to provide power to the compressor.
How to Bypass Start Relay on Refrigerator?
Here are the steps to bypass the start relay on your refrigerator:
- Turn off the refrigerator and unplug it to ensure that it's safe to work on.
- Locate the start relay. Depending on the make and model of your fridge, it's usually located near the compressor or the back of the fridge.
- Remove the start relay from the compressor using a pair of pliers. If it's glued onto the compressor terminals, use a razor blade or knife to carefully remove it.
- Connect the two wires that were attached to the start relay terminal to eliminate the start relay from the circuit. Cover the wires with electrical tape.
- Plug the fridge back in and turn it on.
- If the start relay was causing the issue, the compressor should start up and run normally.
- If the fridge starts working, it's recommended that you replace the faulty start relay as this is only a temporary solution.
In conclusion, bypassing the start relay on your refrigerator can be a simple yet effective solution to keep your fridge running while troubleshooting the root cause of the problem. While it's only a temporary solution, it's best to replace the start relay with a new one to ensure that your refrigerator runs smoothly for years to come.
