Component Testing
!
WARNING
To avoid risk of electrical shock, personal injury, or death, disconnect electrical power source to unit, unless test
procedures require power to be connected. Discharge capacitor through a resistor before attempting to service.
Ensure all ground wires are connected before certifying unit as repaired and/or operational.
©2003 Maytag Appliances Company
16022323 Rev. 0
9
Component
Description
Test Procedures
Capacitor
Run capacitor connects to relay
terminal 3 and N side of line.
Some compressors do not require a run
capacitor; refer to the Technical Data
Sheet for the unit being serviced.
1. Disconnect power to refrigerator.
2. Remove capacitor cover and disconnect capacitor wires.
3. Discharge capacitor by shorting across terminals with a resistor for 1 minute.
4. Check resistance across capacitor terminals with ohmmeter set on “X1K”
scale.
•
Good
—needle swings to 0 ohms and slowly moves back to infinity.
•
Open
—needle does not move. Replace capacitor.
•
Shorted
—needle moves to 0 and stays. Replace capacitor.
•
High resistance leak
—needle jumps toward 0 and then moves back to
constant high resistance (not infinity).
Condenser
Condenser is a tube and fin construction
located in machine compartment.
Condenser is on high pressure
discharge side of compressor.
Condenser function is to transfer heat
absorbed by refrigerant to ambient.
Higher pressure gas is routed to
condenser where, as gas temperature
is reduced, gas condenses into a high
pressure liquid state. Heat transfer takes
place because discharged gas is at a
higher temperature than air that is
passing over condenser. It is very
important that adequate air flow over
condenser is maintained.
Condenser is air cooled by condenser
fan motor. If efficiency of heat transfer
from condenser to surrounding air is
impaired, condensing temperature
becomes higher. High liquid temperature
means liquid will not remove as much
heat during boiling in evaporator as
under normal conditions. This would be
indicated by high than normal head
pressures, long run time, and high
wattage. Remove any lint or other
accumulation, that would restrict normal
air movement through condenser.
From condenser the refrigerant flows
into the drier to evaporator and into
compressor through suction line.
Leaks in condenser can usually be detected by using an electronic leak
detector or soap solution. Look for signs of compressor oil when checking for
leaks. A certain amount of compressor oil is circulated with refrigerant.
Leaks in post condenser loop are rare because loop is a one-piece copper
tube.
For minute leaks:
1. Separate condenser from rest of refrigeration system and pressurize
condenser up to a maximum of 235 PSI with a refrigerant and dry nitrogen
combination.
2. Recheck for leaks.
WARNING
!
To avoid severe personal injury or death from sudden eruption of high
pressures gases, observe the following:
Protect against a sudden eruption if high pressures are required for
leak checking.
Do not use high pressure compressed gases in refrigeration systems
without a reliable pressure regulator and pressure relief valve in the
lines.
WARNING
!
To avoid electrical shock which can cause severe personal injury or
death, discharge capacitor through a resistor before handling.
