GEC Fridge not working. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Granny'sfridge · 25th Feb 2013, 10:41 am

Hi I have a GEC fridge that I inherited from my Grandmother. We love it dearly but over the weekend it has died; light is off, not cold at all although the motor is making some noise suggesting life. My husband is up for some basic DIY if anyone has any suggestions, otherwise does anyone know of someone who can fix it?

Station X · 25th Feb 2013, 12:27 pm

Given that the light (I assume you mean the internal illumination light) doesn't work and the fridge doesn't get cold this would point to a problem with the mains supply, possibly a blown fuse in the mains plug. Unfortunately this doesn't fit in with the motor making some noise.

It's probably worth checking the internal light (it may be blown), door switch (try operating it many times) and the thermostat which will be connected to the temperature selection knob.

If the motor drives the compressor by means of a belt this may be slipping or even broken. However in most domestic fridges the motor and compressorr are a single unit.

Peter.N. · 25th Feb 2013, 12:49 pm

I would agree with Graham. Check the motor and see if its getting hot, if it is but not running there should be a starting relay on the motor, this may have failed, later ones use a thermistor but I doubt that yours does, the motor itself may have failed but its unusual.

Peter

ex 2 Base · 25th Feb 2013, 12:50 pm

Could be the thermostat. I'm not familiar with that particular fridge but thermostat would be my first port of call. Are you sure the motor is running correctly? Pull the fridge away from the wall so that you can position yourself near the motor, then get some one to turn the fridge on whilst you are listening. You just might hear a click from the relay when it starts up ( a black box with usually 3 connections). That indicates the the motor is running on the run winding. Is the motor/ compressor warm or hot? The relay is easy to change, it's usually just a push on fit to the motor ,it needs a strong pull off. The motor has 3 spike type terminals upon which the relays sits.

The thermostat can some times be embedded within the cabinet insulation and can be difficult to withdraw and hence difficult to replace. There some good books in libraries.

Best of luck,Ted

Nickthedentist · 25th Feb 2013, 12:53 pm

Does your husband have a multimeter?

Granny'sfridge · 27th Feb 2013, 8:50 am

Thanks guys - really useful advice. The fridge is working once more. I think it was the thermostat.

25th Feb 2013, 10:41 am	#1
Granny'sfridge Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: London Posts: 2	GEC Fridge not working. Hi I have a GEC fridge that I inherited from my Grandmother. We love it dearly but over the weekend it has died; light is off, not cold at all although the motor is making some noise suggesting life. My husband is up for some basic DIY if anyone has any suggestions, otherwise does anyone know of someone who can fix it? Attached Thumbnails

25th Feb 2013, 12:27 pm	#2
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,288	Re: GEC Fridge not working. Given that the light (I assume you mean the internal illumination light) doesn't work and the fridge doesn't get cold this would point to a problem with the mains supply, possibly a blown fuse in the mains plug. Unfortunately this doesn't fit in with the motor making some noise. It's probably worth checking the internal light (it may be blown), door switch (try operating it many times) and the thermostat which will be connected to the temperature selection knob. If the motor drives the compressor by means of a belt this may be slipping or even broken. However in most domestic fridges the motor and compressorr are a single unit. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

25th Feb 2013, 12:49 pm	#3
Peter.N. Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Charmouth, Dorset, UK. Posts: 3,601	Re: GEC Fridge not working. I would agree with Graham. Check the motor and see if its getting hot, if it is but not running there should be a starting relay on the motor, this may have failed, later ones use a thermistor but I doubt that yours does, the motor itself may have failed but its unusual. Peter

25th Feb 2013, 12:50 pm	#4
ex 2 Base Heptode Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Scarborough, North Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 510	Re: GEC Fridge not working. Could be the thermostat. I'm not familiar with that particular fridge but thermostat would be my first port of call. Are you sure the motor is running correctly? Pull the fridge away from the wall so that you can position yourself near the motor, then get some one to turn the fridge on whilst you are listening. You just might hear a click from the relay when it starts up ( a black box with usually 3 connections). That indicates the the motor is running on the run winding. Is the motor/ compressor warm or hot? The relay is easy to change, it's usually just a push on fit to the motor ,it needs a strong pull off. The motor has 3 spike type terminals upon which the relays sits. The thermostat can some times be embedded within the cabinet insulation and can be difficult to withdraw and hence difficult to replace. There some good books in libraries. Best of luck,Ted

25th Feb 2013, 12:53 pm	#5
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,846	Re: GEC Fridge not working. Does your husband have a multimeter?

27th Feb 2013, 8:50 am	#6
Granny'sfridge Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: London Posts: 2	Re: GEC Fridge not working. Thanks guys - really useful advice. The fridge is working once more. I think it was the thermostat.