Kitchen Large Electric Appliances - Whirlpool fridge not cold

I've noticed that my '05 Whirlpool side by side isn't cooling well(ice cubes are wet, not frosted as usual). I have been hearing a clicking noise and the compressor will come on for 4-6 seconds then shut off with the same clicking noise, it does this every minute or two. I can hear the fan running, but the compressor just cycles on & off. Please help if possible, I would like to know any and all likely causes, so I don't have to replace the compressor. Thank you in advance, Todd

If you hear the compressor actually starting then kicking off, there could be a problem with the relay/overload and/or the compressor itself. I would also check to make sure the condenser fan motor is running and that the area including the condenser is free of excessive dust buildup. The first thing to try would be the relay/overload. If that doens't fix it, then there is likely a problem with the compressor. Since your fridge is a 2005 model, it should fall under the 5 year sealed system warranty from Whirlpool. You should be able to get the compressor replaced at no charge to you.

Thanks gdoug,
I appreciate your reply to my problem. I did notice that the condensor fan is running, in fact all the time, not just when the compressor tries to start. I know when a central a/c system(split unit) on a house has a bad capacitor the fan on the unit outside(compressor/condensor unit) will run continuously but the compressor doen't kick on. Would this indicate a bad capacitor in the fridge as well? I know we bought the extended coverage for this fridge but I found that it will be about 5-6 days before the first availible time slot is open. Things like this happen to me only after 5 p.m. on Fridays. Thanks again, Todd

Maybe someone can chime in if I am wrong, but I think the capacitor is bult into the compressor. There isn't an external capacitor that I know of. If it had a bad capacitor, it wouldn't even try to start.

I had the same thing happen to my fridge after only having it 5 weeks. They came out and brought me a new fridge.

I replaced a external RUN capacitor on a fridge (located at relay where the box/wires plug into compressor's 3 terminal) just some months back, where the compressor would click on, run for a few seconds, then click right back off, like poster. I first cooled down the compressor with a portable fan to rule out simply overheated thermal on compressor. Still did it after it cooled down. Part only cost about $15 at appliance/repair service store. Fixed problem. Works great to this day.

Just to follow up, I had a service tech out to my house and he found that the external capacitor/relay that plugs directly to compressor was indeed the culprit. It was a $15 part but the service would have cost $189.95 if not for the extended warranty we purchased with the fridge originally. This is the second service on this fridge, first was a malfunctioned ice maker that would have cost us over $200 to replace. I would have to say the original $149 for the warranty from 2005-2010 was well worth it. I GREATLY appreciate all the help from this forum's contributors. Thank you, Todd Tedder

And now you will know for the next time, or for some other fridge in the future. :) If I was being paid what some of these companies get, I'd be on some beach in the Bahamas now, after all these years of all this stuff I do daily.