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"American" style Fridge/Freezer Problems?

Fridge or Freezer too warm? Relay chattering noises?

Applies to S20 and S25 models with LCD Backlit front display

I should start by saying that although this article is written about Whirlpool, the same item is also sold under the names of Admiral, Hotpoint, Maytag and Smeg, amongst others. This is referred to in the business as "Badge Engineering", where one company, say Whirlpool, makes a product and other companies, like Admiral, Hotpoint, Maytag, Smeg etc., stick their name badge on it; perhaps with slight changes to colour and trim. It comes from Italy.

Once upon a time we bought a Whirlpool American-style fridge/freezer from a French company called Boulanger (now called Worten) in Spain (we live in Spain). It arrived with a dented door and it was only after writing in the dreaded Spanish Customer Complaints book, that all businesses in Spain must have, did the matter get resolved. But I digress. What I really wanted to write about is that after about 1 year the temperature in the fridge started varying wildly. We called out an engineer; I don't know what he did but it was quite expensive. After some months the problem re-appeared and we also noticed that the food in the freezer started defrosting (the display still showed -23!) and then freezing again. We called the engineer out again and in between tutting and sharp intakes of breath he said that the circuit board needed replacing and it was very expensive (the best part of 200 quid).


The board we're talking about looks like this...	...or this.

To cut a long story short (collective sigh of relief) I did some research on the internet and found that these Whirlpool fridge/freezers are notoriously unreliable. Faults include the fridge or freezer not keeping temperature, the water dispenser dispensing in bursts and relay "chattering" noises. Also flashing displays and lights. I don't know about the last two symptoms, but 95% of the others seem to be caused by faulty capacitors. There is a group of 4 capacitors whose job it is to start compressors or motors in the fridge/freezer. Replacing these capacitors plus the big capacitor will more than likely fix the problem. It certainly worked for me.
The rest of the capacitors used on the board are also included in the kit in case you feel that, since you've gone this far, you might as well replace them all.

You can find instructions on how to do this here.

Fridge/Freezer Repair Kit

Buy set of 9 capacitors for £12.20 + £1.65 p&p

To help anyone who wants to follow in my footsteps, I am now offering little packs of all 9 capacitors for the rear circuit board (as shown in the picture), complete with instructions on how to replace them. You need to be able to use a screwdriver and a soldering iron but otherwise it's quite easy, as long as you can get to the back of your fridge/freezer.
See bottom of the page for more tips.

Some Customer Feedback & Tips

The best ebayer in the world!!! You saved Xmas for us :) Hooray!!!!! - helenme10n
Very pleased, the part sorted out the problem saving us £200+!!! - mbil2009
Lost in post but replacement sent quickly, good comms, credit to Ebay, a+++++ - dave7357
worked a treat cheers - maddogmckinnell
It worked fast service cheers - jim900660
Item as described. Fast delivery. However it didn't fix the problem. - bj46rossi
.•:*¨¨*:•.FANTASTIC.•:*¨¨*:•.GREAT EBAYER .•:*¨¨*:•. THANK YOU! .•:*¨¨*:•. - alongwayfromhome
Very good product saved money and a great e-bayer, thank you. - abid50
A really good site for tips on repairing all sorts of white goods can be found here, and it's free.