Customer Questions and Answers for Refrigerator Compressor by Whirlpool

Hello Chuck, Plug the unit in and see if the compressor starts. If it doesn't, remove the start relay from the side of the compressor and shake it. If it rattles, it is the problem. If the compressor does start, let it run for about ten minutes and unplug the refrigerator. The room needs to be quiet at this point. Listen for a hissing noise. If you detect a hissing noise, there is a sealed system leak and it will have to be located and repaired before any repair will take. If there is no hissing noise, start the unit again and let it run for another ten minutes or so and feel of the two copper lines on the side of the compressor. One should be cool and the other should get hot. This shows the proper circulation of the Freon. If the compressor starts getting hot and neither copper line is cooling off, the unit probably has a restriction. If this is the case, the restriction can be any where in the sealed system. This condition will have to be located and corrected also or the unit will never cool properly.