Kitchen Large Electric Appliances - Kenmore Elite Refrigerator won't stay cold

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DIYNovice
06-11-09, 11:34 AM
I have a Kenmore elite (bottom freezer, french doors) that is 5-1/2 years old and appearantly the compressor stopped working this morning. Every so often, you will hear a "click" sound. The fan is running constantly but no cold is being produced. The first thing I did was unplug it and cleaned out all of the food. About 3 hours later, I plugged it back in and nothing had changed.

I opened up the service panel on the bottom of the back side, and found the compressor to be hot to the touch. The refigerator still keeps clicking every 30-60 seconds. It's unplugged now until I figure out what to do. Any suggestions?

The model number is 596.73504201

A sticker on the back has the numbers:

7-19881-12110-9
P73504000C1 73504
11048539CP


The compressor is a Techumseh TCL2 with these numbers on the label:

TP142AR22988
TPG13804XA R134a
F0203 254901 BC


Thanks in advance for any help!

DIYNovice
06-11-09, 01:02 PM
I did some searching of other posts and found out to check the start relay. Sure enough, when I shake it, it sounds like it's full of sand and blackish flakes fall out of it. I would like to replace it but am unable to find a cross reference on the internet. Here are some pictures of it, on one side it says:

Made in Mexico

5SP04T419LFM
03 F03R

On the other side it says:

419LFBYY -77 FAZ2L

Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q82/bleech2/DSC00854.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q82/bleech2/DSC00855.jpg
daddyjohn
06-11-09, 03:21 PM
part # 67002783

$16 here Parts & Accessories | Shop & Find Lawn & Garden, Appliance Parts at Sears PartsDirect | SearsPartsDirect.com (http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/index.action?pop=flush)

$13 on Ebay

DIYNovice
06-11-09, 04:56 PM
Thanks so much! I've ordered the relay along with a new capacitor and will post back when I install them.

Beer 4U2
daddyjohn
06-11-09, 04:59 PM
sounds good. thanks for the feedback.
DIYNovice
06-15-09, 07:52 PM
I installed the new relay and capacitor today and the fridge is running like brand new. Thanks again for the help!
ecman51`
06-16-09, 07:50 AM
As an aside, which is nice for people to know - I replaced these on my friends fridge like 2 years ago. It has worked fine since. No other underlying causes.
DIYNovice
06-17-09, 11:41 AM
That is good to know, thanks. I'm hoping their aren't any lasting effects from the compressor overheating.