Fridge diagnosis,

[ExtraSlow]

Electrolux side by side fridge/freezer, about 15 years old, came with the house when I bought it.
Twice in the last week it has started beeping overnight, due to a "temp top high" alarm. Freezer compartment readout was 6 degrees above set point. Fridge side at or near set point.

Cleaned the coils tonight, which 9nvolves pulling fridge out of cubby, removing a cardboard panel, unplugging it. The vacuum and damp cloth. Coils weren't that bad, but cleaned them anyway.

When plugging the fridge back. In, it makes all the poses I'd expect, the fan starts normally, the compressor kicks in, and the beep alarm sounds, because of the power outage. All normal. Then, literally 1.5 seconds later, all sounds stop, for 3 seconds, as if the plug was pulled. Then it starts up again, just as before. Starts, stops, starts, stops over and over without a change, until I u plug it again.

I checked, and when it powers down, the interior lights shut off too.

Checked houses fuse panel, no issues there. Ran extension cord to different outlet, no change. Opened it back up and looked for loose wires or anything, but nothing.

Internet seems to indicate main control board most likely.

What does beyond say? Is this fixable? What's next step in diagnosis? Is it new fridge time?

I'm going to bed, will read responses in the morning.

[g-m]

I dunno man that sounds like new fridge to me. You can also pay someone to come and tell you that as well, that is a service that's available

[Darell_n]

I find it odd the lights shut down too so I’d lean towards a bad control board as well. Is the compressor too hot to hold your hand on? Being a cheap fuck and kinda handy I would ( on my own fridge) rip the controls out and use a universal one from a commercial cooler. They can cost as little as $40-50 and have multiple sensor and alarms on them.

[ThePenIsMightier]

In my opinion, modern appliances are as disposable as a garbage bag. You have gone 2x above and beyond what's reasonable from a reasonably handyman's role and now it's time to buy a new one.
My advice is to buy the most expensive extended warranty you can get and mark your calendar so that you remember to be "extra careful" during its last 6 months of warranty. A catastrophic failure requiring a no-questions-asked replacement during that final period would be such a bummer.

[ExtraSlow]

D, nah the compressor is warm, like very reasonable.

[ExtraSlow]

Morning update.
Fridge compressor will run steady, but compressor cooling fan is turning off and on, now showing "ce - ce" code, which is communication error.

Wonder how long the compressor can run without cooling before its too hot?

Planning on buying a new fridge this afternoon.

[killramos]

This is the way

[Tik-Tok]

Probably the control board. I replaced mine not long ago for lights issue (18yo LG). It was only $150 and easily swapped.

[ExtraSlow]

Of course, this fridge control board is a little more expensive. Fuck I hate electrolux. $330, and not in stock anywhere. And appears to be UNDER then fridge? Like I'll have to lay it down to access. Fuckers.
Looks like part: "Frigidaire 5303918558 BOARD-SWITCH,TERMINAL"

Votes? Control board, or new fridge? @dar rel_n?

[mr2mike]

I've heard too many fridge issues more than anything else for appliances. But it's usually a freeze up issue or the flapper stops. Not a control board.

Chance you heated up the control board and fried it?

No vote from me but if you do replace fridge. Can I come grab the compressor? Depending on what you're planning.

[Nufy]

Are you up for the adventure ? Empty everything out and start working...

Or do you need an excuse to buy a new shiny fridge...

As I get older I am opting for the latter. After 15 years you have your moneys worth...

[Darell_n]

Amre shows 3 in stock in Ontario and will ship. I would repair the fridge if you didn’t hate it before this happened, especially with the electronics quantity and quality going stupid since this fridge was built. Hopefully you have a backup fridge in the meantime. As for lifting it, just rock it back and forth placing wood 2x4s underneath. Block it up, easy to do. Half the time at work we even just use milk crates.

[ExtraSlow]

Yeah, the thing is I don't have a spare fridge. I have a second freezer, but I'll be doing milk and meat in a cooler camping stylez until I have a functional fridge. Amre can suck my balls frankly for most things, probably buy from reliable parts if I go that route.

Going to think for an hour or two, have some work stuff that needs attending.

[pheoxs]

No idea aside from typically when I’ve had any freezer related issues letting it fully dethaw and de-ice has been the fix half the time.

[bjstare]

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letting it fully dethaw

Can you please not say this.

edit: +1 for just buy a new fridge. After 15 years, something else is bound to go wrong soon, then you've wasted $330 and a bunch of hours of your time.

[brucebanner]

Part $330. New low to mid range fridge $8-1500

Waiting for parts would deter me but you'll probably get close to the same life span after repaired.

[SJW]

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No idea aside from typically when I’ve had any freezer related issues letting it fully dethaw and de-ice has been the fix half the time.

DE-THAW = REFREEZE change my mind.

[JRSC00LUDE]

GF has a Kitchenaid fridge. The water supply flooded the kitchen and ran down the basement stairs, it was awesome. She decided to not GAF about it so didn't bother getting it fixed under warranty (I don't know why.....) and now that she wants it fixed I had a guy come over to investigate and the valve body was split open. It's over 600 dollars. Ridiculous. No ice for you! haha

[riander5]

Control panel all the way

I like playing risky games

[mr2mike]

Art room a/c on high for rest of week. Dress for it.