Contents
If the fan fails and turns off, or vice versa – it constantly works, problems arise. What are their causes and solutions, we will consider in this review.
The fan is part of the No Frost system. It creates forced air circulation in the chambers. The cool streams that diverge through them are produced by the cooler. Such a cooling process saved the user from the long classic defrosting of the refrigerator. Among other things, thanks to the fan, the temperature in the main compartment is always static (in refrigerators without No Frost, the temperature difference on the shelves can be several degrees).
Why do you need a fan
The system is based on a cooling chamber, in the design of which there are three main elements:
- evaporator;
- cooler;
- heater.
The impeller distills air along the fins of the evaporator, and drops of condensate then settle and freeze on it. After that, the received cold and dry air passes through the air ducts back to the compartments.
Moisture, which freezes on the surface of the evaporator under normal conditions, melts when the ice thickness reaches a certain level and interferes with heat exchange between air flows and freon.
If the refrigerant does not evaporate 100%, it may cause breakdowns, so household refrigeration manufacturers have developed forced defrosting. The timer starts the heater, which warms up the evaporator, and the frost on it melts. Water goes into the drain, and from it into a special container, from which it quickly evaporates due to its proximity to the motor-compressor.
As you can see, this system cannot work without a cooler. If the fan fails, the cooled air streams are not circulated, although the compressor remains in operation. If this happens, then the refrigerator creates an excessive load on its components and parts, so a breakdown of a conventional fan can result in a complete inoperability of the refrigerator.
What are air ducts
Manufacturers are constantly improving cooling systems in refrigeration, giving them new names and obtaining patents. Their schemes are typical, and the differences are only in the parameters. Usually there are such duct schemes:
- air shower. From English, this term is translated as “air shower”. The name itself speaks for itself: air flows from the side of the ceiling.
- Cool Front Shower. In this case, the duct pipes are located in the walls and the door, the air blows over the shelves with products from the sides.
- Surround Cool is a mixture of the above schemes. Products are cooled by air currents that come from all sides of the chamber – both from above and from the side.
- Multi-Flow – such systems include separate and independent air ducts.
- X Flow – similar to the previous scheme, but in it the pipes intersect at the outlet.
- Twin Fan – a paired type of system that allows each camera to work in standalone mode. Each compartment has its own cooler and thermostat.
Other fan application
Coolers in the design of refrigerators are needed not only so that the walls of the chambers do not freeze. In simple models that are not equipped with the No Frost system, they may also be present.
There are models equipped with the so-called “accelerated cooling”. If you need to load the shelves with a large batch of warm products, the heat influx in the chamber is enormous. To fix this phenomenon, there are special sensors that signal the fan to turn on. The cooler accelerates convection, so the required temperature is quickly reached in the chamber.
So, in addition to the fans “inside” the design, Side-by-Side models and other bulky units have coolers that improve heat exchange between the condenser and the external environment so that the compressor cools faster.
Indesit fridge fan not working
Using his example, we will consider the causes of a fan failure in all models of refrigerators – Indesit, Ariston or Liebherr, since their device is almost the same. It is worth deciding only on the type of fan in your refrigerator model:
- Axial. These are the most common models. The principle of their device is extremely simple: an impeller is put on the motor shaft, which pushes air along the shaft. The advantage of such a cooler is simple operation and easy repair.
- Centrifugal (radial) used infrequently. They have neither pluses nor minuses in comparison with the previous type. The main differences are the size and shape. Such coolers can be installed in hard-to-reach places where axial coolers will not fit.
Possible problems:
- Motor failure due to power surges. In this case, the engine needs to be changed. If the fan has stopped completely, and its blades do not rotate, then it may not be the motor that is to blame, but control electronic module. An exact clarification of the causes of such a breakdown is possible when electricity is supplied to the fan bypassing the control circuits. Before checking and changing the assembly, make sure you have purchased an original part that fits your model.
- Drying of the lubricant of the bearings of the electric motor due to strong air currents. It is worth organizing an unscheduled inspection and updating lubricants.
- The impeller beats against the frozen ice. Many manufacturers, especially such as Indesit or Atlant, make cheap plastic impellers that, when frozen, lose their strength. If there is too much ice, fragile blades can burst or fall off. Fortunately, spare parts are available in any specialty store.
Cooler maintenance and repair
If you decide to shoulder the maintenance or repair of the fan on your own shoulders, this is possible if you know the design of refrigerators, the design of the No Frost system and the availability of a special tool. If at home you only have a hammer and a screwdriver, and you don’t even know how the refrigerator works, it’s better to contact the workshop.
If you have experience or abilities, as well as all the necessary tools, you can get to work. First you need to get to the evaporator chamber – usually its location in Indesit refrigerators from the back wall.
Important! Before starting work, disconnect the equipment from the mains.
If the fan is broken or, conversely, does not stop, inspect the part. When broken, you will notice mechanical damage to the blades or burnt wiring. To remove the impeller, just twist the fasteners. Take advantage of the moment to change the lubricant.
If the motor is to blame, it must be carefully dismantled and replaced with a new, similar part. It’s cheaper and easier than repair.
Important! Draw or photograph the connections and pins so you don’t confuse the wiring.