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Refrigerator: Repair or replace?

Posted on 5/28/16 at 4:47 pm
Posted by nahtanojc
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2006
980 posts
Posted on 5/28/16 at 4:47 pm
Got a Maytag 26CF side by side that was purchased in 2006. Refrigerator side is no longer getting cool, whereas the freezer is working as intended.

Could be the evaporator fan, condenser fan or the thermostat control. . . right now i'm leaning toward the thermostat which will cost $90ish to replace. If I am correct, cool! If not, then that repair cost will climb. (was trying to fix myself and not call a repair guy out)

But with a 10 year old refrigerator, how much more life can I realistically expect from it? I can pick up a 24CF Top freezer new for $850 this weekend that should give me many years of trouble free operation.

When do you know it's time?
Posted by Springlake Tiger
Uptown
Member since Aug 2006
15531 posts
Posted on 5/28/16 at 4:47 pm to
Replace
Posted by SuperSaint
Sorting Out OT BS Since '2007'
Member since Sep 2007
140462 posts
Posted on 5/28/16 at 4:49 pm to
First off, is it running?
Posted by nahtanojc
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2006
980 posts
Posted on 5/28/16 at 4:53 pm to
quote:

First off, is it running?


Freezer is; refrigerator side is not cool.
I felt the evaporator fan blowing last night, so while it could be only working intermittently, it is what is making me think it's the temp control and not the fan itself.

I don't know much about the history of the unit- it came with the house when I purchased it. So it could have been repaired several times a year as far as I know. . .
Posted by MoreOrLes
Member since Nov 2008
19472 posts
Posted on 5/28/16 at 4:56 pm to
I can't be sure but if i were a betting man, there is a fan on the refrigerator side that has gone out. If thats it, it will be less than 80 bucks to replace.



IF you DIY

This post was edited on 5/28/16 at 4:59 pm
Posted by windshieldman
Member since Nov 2012
12818 posts
Posted on 5/28/16 at 4:57 pm to
quote:

First off, is it running?


quote:

Freezer is


THEN GO CATCH IT!!!!!!!
Posted by PSU2LSU
Oxford MS
Member since Apr 2011
3144 posts
Posted on 5/28/16 at 5:00 pm to
Did you check the damper control? From my limited knowledge the freezer side is the only side that is actually cold and there is a vent that controls cold air to the fridge side. Check to see if the Damper Control is closed shut.
Posted by SuperSaint
Sorting Out OT BS Since '2007'
Member since Sep 2007
140462 posts
Posted on 5/28/16 at 5:00 pm to
quote:

First off, is it running?

quote:

Freezer is
Well you better go catch it!!

Posted by MoreOrLes
Member since Nov 2008
19472 posts
Posted on 5/28/16 at 5:04 pm to
Posted by nahtanojc
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2006
980 posts
Posted on 5/28/16 at 5:06 pm to
quote:

Check to see if the Damper Control is closed shut.


You are correct- there are no fans on the refrig side. Cold air is circulated into the refrigerator by the evaporator fan that is located in the freezer.

The vent that connects the two compartments has been wide open for the last 48 hours. Still no cooling.

If I replace the fan, I should be able to get that done below $75, but I don't want to be shelling out money on an appliance that may well be on its last leg and in need of replacement. That money would be better spent on the replacement rather than the repair.
Posted by MoreOrLes
Member since Nov 2008
19472 posts
Posted on 5/28/16 at 5:08 pm to
How about trying to fix it for less than 100 and making it a garage unit.


Posted by geauxtigers6492
Admin in Waiting
Member since Jun 2008
3981 posts
Posted on 5/28/16 at 5:33 pm to


Call this guy.
Posted by OweO
Plaquemine, La
Member since Sep 2009
113946 posts
Posted on 5/28/16 at 5:47 pm to
Just had a similar problem. Last weekend the power went out in my area twice... each time for several hours. About a day or two after started noticing the refrigerator wasn't cooling but freeze was still working like a champ. The fan was frozen up. I called a guy I know who works on appliances as a side job. He use to work for a business that sold appliances. He fixes refrigerators and washer and dryers. He has saved me some money over the past several years. Anyway, he came over, took off the panel in the refrigerator, broke out a hair dryer.. In about 20 mins he had it working. He charged $100.. With that said, you know anyone who works on appliances? Give them a call.
Posted by Tigers58
Athens, AL
Member since Jun 2005
1076 posts
Posted on 5/28/16 at 6:36 pm to
1) Freezer to Frig fan .. cheap to replace. (simple to see if fan is turning)
2) Defrost timer .. cheap to replace. (possible culprit if coil is frozen)
3) Heater Switch .. cheap to replace. (possible culprit if coil is frozen)

New Frig .. not cheap to replace.
This post was edited on 5/28/16 at 6:41 pm
Posted by ChEgrad
Member since Nov 2012
3264 posts
Posted on 5/28/16 at 7:10 pm to
quote:

Just had a similar problem. Last weekend the power went out in my area twice... each time for several hours. About a day or two after started noticing the refrigerator wasn't cooling but freeze was still working like a champ. The fan was frozen up. I called a guy I know who works on appliances as a side job. He use to work for a business that sold appliances. He fixes refrigerators and washer and dryers. He has saved me some money over the past several years. Anyway, he came over, took off the panel in the refrigerator, broke out a hair dryer.. In about 20 mins he had it working. He charged $100.. With that said, you know anyone who works on appliances? Give them a call.


This. Just do it yourself. I had to do this twice to my side by side. Easy, just takes time.
Posted by Thurber
NWLA
Member since Aug 2013
15402 posts
Posted on 5/28/16 at 7:52 pm to
Replace
Posted by bigwheel
Lake Charles
Member since Feb 2008
6491 posts
Posted on 5/28/16 at 7:57 pm to
Repair ten years is not old for a refregator
Posted by #1TigerFan
Member since Apr 2005
1665 posts
Posted on 5/28/16 at 9:57 pm to
Make sure your coil, that is probably under the refrigerator side, is lent and dust free.

I had a similar problem with my Kenmore side by side, cleaned the coil and replaced the thermostat. Problem solved.

Whatever you do, do not call Calvin's Maintenance in BR, they came out and wanted to charge me $1500 to fix a $899 (when it was new) unit.
Posted by Corch Urban Myers
Columbus, OH
Member since Jul 2009
5993 posts
Posted on 5/28/16 at 10:21 pm to
Replace.

Always.
Posted by OweO
Plaquemine, La
Member since Sep 2009
113946 posts
Posted on 5/28/16 at 10:33 pm to
quote:

Replace.

Always.



I think you have to factor in a few things. Which option makes the most financial sense.
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