Do-It-Yourself Story

Came home to find the fridge and freezer had totally warmed up to room temp. I first suspected the compressor had gone bad but a quick continuity check showed it was likely fine. Also, it was very warm, almost hot, to the touch. The fan worked fine too.I then found several vids elsewhere showing how to test for this relay/compressor starter. Taking it off the compressor first, when you shake it, if you hear rattling inside, it's shot. That was indeed the case for me. I checked continuity across all three terminals and sure enough they all showed an open circuit. I thought this part would be an identical OEM drop-in, meaning the part would be exactly the same. For my circa 2012 KitchenAid Superba, it wasn't. I couldn't use the big white "all in one" part, the one with the funny plastic point sticking out the back. I had to install the parts according to type 2, or whatever they called it ("discreet", I think). I had to install the two smaller parts separately (relay and overload, I believe). Not a big deal, the repair video associated with the part walks you through it easily enough, it's just that I expected a total drop in replacement. Apparently the compressor mfr (Embarco) has changed things up a bit in the years since. Alll in all still an easy fix.