Even if your refrigerator stops working, it is helpful to have a list of the most commonly used refrigerator parts. Understanding the components of your appliance will allow you to understand what the technician is quoting you for the repair.
This animated short explains why appliance parts are important and shows you why it’s better to repair than replace.
A refrigerator repair can seem expensive. Here are some common parts of refrigerators that won’t break the bank.
4 Most Common Refrigerator Replacement Parts
Thermostat
The thermostat monitors the refrigerator’s temperature and sends it to the control board. The thermistor can fail, which can lead to a variety of problems. Failure of the thermistor can lead to your refrigerator not cooling down or your refrigerator freezing your food. If your refrigerator is not cooling properly, then the compressor or evaporator fan maybe not running as often as it should. Fans running too often in your refrigerator can cause it to freeze food. It is necessary to replace the thermistor if it fails multimeter testing.
Motor for Condenser Fan Motor
Your refrigerator might not be cooling due to a condenser fan motor. This motor’s purpose is to draw air through the compressor and condenser coils. It regulates the refrigerator temperature. It should be replaced if there is no continuity. You may also notice your refrigerator becoming louder or noisier. Look for any debris stuck in the blade of your condenser when you locate it. If there’s no debris, the bearings will need to replace.
Motor for the Evaporator Fan
If your refrigerator stops cooling, you should also check the motor of the evaporator fan. The motor controls the circulation of air in the refrigerator. The evaporator motor could be the cause of your refrigerator not cooling properly. Your refrigerator could be louder than usual due to the condenser fan motor. If the refrigerator door is left open, the noise may be even louder. You should check the continuity of your refrigerator’s fan motor windings.
Water Inlet Valve
The water inlet valve controls water flow to the refrigerator and icemaker. If it malfunctions, it can lead to a number of problems. The water inlet valve may be leaking water if it isn’t tightly connected to the water supply line. Mineral deposits may also cause problems with your refrigerator’s dispenser. Your refrigerator may also make noises due to these mineral deposits. Water inlet valves are not repairable, so they are one of the most popular refrigerator replacement parts.
Not-As-Common Refrigerator Replacement Parts
Problems with your refrigerator such as the fridge not cooling are often mistakenly attributed to problems with the compressor and main control board. These are not common replacement parts for refrigerators and they are rarely the root cause of refrigerator issues. Examining the most popular replacement parts first can save you a lot of money.
