Not cooling properly

The Load Mode display (entered by pressing Freezer + Fridge for 6 seconds, then Light) shows ambient temperature conditions via LED indicators: R-1-e (over 93°F, overload condition), R-1-f (under 72°F, low temperature). These affect compressor run time and cooling capacity. At high ambient (over 93°F), expect compressor to run 80% of the time. At low ambient (below 55°F), refrigerator may struggle to cool. This is normal operation, not a malfunction. Customers who place their refrigerator in unheated basements or hot garages will see reduced performance.

The capillary tube is only 0.032 inches (0.82mm) in diameter. Even tiny moisture droplets can freeze at the tube outlet and block refrigerant flow, completely stopping cooling. This is why the dryer cartridge exists — to absorb moisture before it reaches the capillary. If a blockage is suspected, the system must be fully evacuated with a recovery machine, the dryer replaced, and the system recharged. Simply 'flushing' the line or applying heat to a blockage is not recommended as it risks tube rupture. Always replace the dryer when the system is opened.

If you place the refrigerator in Cooling Off mode (O-FF) by pressing Freezer + Fridge + Alarm for 5 seconds, the compressor shuts down completely. However, if the fresh food or freezer section exceeds 149°F (65°C), the system automatically restarts cooling without any user intervention or alarm. This safety feature prevents food spoilage if someone accidentally triggers Cooling Off mode. The auto-restart has no audible alert, so the user may not realize the refrigerator has restarted. This is intentional design to protect food.

The compressor is protected by an over-load relay (4TM445PHBYY-82) rated for AC 115V/60Hz. This relay opens at 156.2°F (69°C) to stop compressor if temperature gets too high. It closes at 257°F (125°C) to restart. If the compressor makes a clicking sound every few seconds, the over-load relay is cycling — the compressor overheated. Common causes: dirty condenser, blocked air vents, or refrigerant undercharge. Fix the underlying cause or the relay will keep clicking. Simply replacing the relay without fixing the root cause leads to repeat failures.