T4 Fridge not fridging!

[sidepod]

As the title says, fridge job description failure.

I'm pretty sure it's the control box but I'll throw it open to the panel for your ops.

Fridge shows as on when selected from the over head contl pnl.

Compressor motor runs. Fridge doesn't cool

I stripped it out last night and I have a healthy voltage at the unit.

Compressor is running but it doesn't sound as if it's doing much work.
Freon gurgles as it should.

Thermostat is good. I connected in a known good one that made no odds.

Diagnostics. When interrogated for load (4.5A) the fridge shuts down!
This is what makes me think it's the electronics box.

I removed the control resistor from the fridge unit and linked the stat directly in which should cause it to run. Nothing.

I know the motor has a low speed drop out at 1850 rpm so it's obvs running at least this fast.
This is or isn't enough to cool ?

There is an option to connect a led across pair of terminals and check diagnostics by observing various flash patterns. I'll do this.

I've ordered a new control box. Fingers crossed.

 

[jts46]

Could it be leaking refrigerant?

 

[sidepod]

Foookin ope not.

I'll take the control box off later and wire the motor direct to the battery. It should then run and cool if the refrigerant is good.

 

[jts46]

Foookin ope not.

I'll take the control box off later and wire the motor direct to the battery. It should then run and cool if the refrigerant is good.

Agree

 

[snowy55]

Have you tried turning it off and then turning it on again?

 

[jts46]

Have you tried turning it off and then turning it on again?

Not a good idea. Switch off and wait for pressure to equalise then turn back on, same for all compressors for cooling, otherwise run coil overheats and trips klixon.
I would leave for about 3 to 4 minutes

 

[sidepod]

Update.

New controller fitted. Sadly still no fridge.

Spoke with very helpful Penguinfrigo peeps. It's looking like a coolant leak.

Fridge out and take it to them.
Hey ho.

 

[WelshGas]

Update.

New controller fitted. Sadly still no fridge.

Spoke with very helpful Penguinfrigo peeps. It's looking like a coolant leak.

Fridge out and take it to them.
Hey ho.

They can leak refrigerant gas over time, especially if used infrequently.

 

[sidepod]

Interesting bit of intel -

VW overide the low voltage drop out on the Danfoss compressor. In other words the compressor drops out at 10.5 v as opposed to something higher.

This apparently causes premature controller failure.

 

[sidepod]

They can leak refrigerant gas over time, especially if used infrequently.

Ok so my understanding of fridges -

To charge the circuit you add gas to the low pressure intake of the compressor which in turn fills the loop and compresses it. So is the system, when sitting idle, gas or liquid or a mix?

 

[WelshGas]

Ok so my understanding of fridges -

To charge the circuit you add gas to the low pressure intake of the compressor which in turn fills the loop and compresses it. So is the system, when sitting idle, gas or liquid or a mix?

I think a mix to start with and gas eventually.

 

[sidepod]

I think a mix to start with and gas eventually.

Well when in use the gas circulates and expands (cools) then compresses (heats) as it passes between the evaporator and the, er, other bit. This change of state is what causes the heat extraction from the fridge?

What I don't understand is the state it's in whilst switched off.
WG you're prob correct given your knowledge of all things gaseous.

 

[jts46]

I worked for Electrolux for 28 years repairing domestic appliances. The refrigerator side I worked on absorption refrigerators, the type used in caravans in the early days. I didn't work on compressor refrigeration. The link below should explain how compressor refrigeration works.

http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/tools-products/appliances/how-does-refrigerator-work

 

[B J G]

One of the greatest benefits of questions and answers on the Forum is that it get the grey matter (very grey in my case) moving.

looking into the fridge going into on-strike mode and reading johntowers46 link got me a bit more curious and found the following link

http://www.explainthatstuff.com/refrigerator.html

Incidentally but obviously really the Air-con works on the same principle.

Hope the T4 chills out again soon.

 

[sidepod]

Well the important bit is I remove the fridge, take it to Mr Penguin and he makes it work again. Eff re body appy.

 

[sidepod]

So I removed the fridge this morning. Before I did I checked the load it was pulling. A measly 1.5A so this further underlines the lack of refrigerant.






So here it is out of the van. No prizes for spotting the leak.
Off to Penguin next week for cheeky refurb.

 

[WelshGas]

Hopefully that is eminently repairable and once recharged should all be working.

 

[ArcticMatt]

You guys have a poor memory

I had the same problem if you remember

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/cool-box-does-not-stop-cooling.4266/page-2#post-170463

The local refrigerant company re-gassed mine and fitted a recharge port too so it can be topped up again. Mine was fixed just in time for winter! Hoping to get out this coming week for a mini road trip so we'll see how it copes for a few days of use.

 

[sidepod]

You guys have a poor memory

I had the same problem if you remember

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/cool-box-does-not-stop-cooling.4266/page-2#post-170463

The local refrigerant company re-gassed mine and fitted a recharge port too so it can be topped up again. Mine was fixed just in time for winter! Hoping to get out this coming week for a mini road trip so we'll see how it copes for a few days of use.

Hadn't forgotten, your thread helped enormously.

Despite similar symptoms my has a blockage apparently.
Fridge guy pressure tested it so no leak.

He's fitting a filter drier. Should be back in action next week.

 

[ArcticMatt]

Hadn't forgotten, your thread helped enormously.

Despite similar symptoms my has a blockage apparently.
Fridge guy pressure tested it so no leak.

He's fitting a filter drier. Should be back in action next week.

Just pulling your pud lad

They couldn't find a leak in mine either so it's probably just the natural leakage from the system. The recharge port was the best thing so if it happens again. Just squirt and go.

I'd also noticed the prices of the original fridge on Gunzl had gone up too

 

[sidepod]

So......fridge returned from Penguin.
Fully stripped, serviced, pressure tested and re-gassed. All packed up and sent back via courier. £150. Bargain.

Installed and chillin nicely.

Can't recommend Penguin enough.
Very helpful, knowledgeable and professional. Top job.

http://www.penguinfrigo.co.uk/