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HomeRepair HelpMagic Chef Refrigerator RepairMagic Chef Refrigerator runs constantly Repair
Magic Chef Refrigerator runs constantly
If your Magic Chef refrigerator runs constantly, it means the unit is working harder than it should to remove heat. The first thing to check is ambient temperature; hot, humid room air will make a refrigerator run constantly and reduce cooling efficiency. After that, look at the sealed system: once you verify the fans and thermistor are working, an inefficient compressor can cause the refrigerator compressor running continuously, though a failed compressor is less common. Also confirm the freezer is cold enough—if the freezer temperature is above about 10°F the fridge will struggle to cool and the fridge running constantly is a likely result. Inspect the doors and gaskets to make sure they close fully; a door left slightly open or a warped seal will pull warm air in and force continuous operation. Finally, frost buildup from a bad defrost heater assembly or a defective defrost thermostat can block airflow through the evaporator and keep the compressor on. Enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact replacement compressor, defrost heater, thermostat, gasket, or other parts that fit your refrigerator.
01 - Room Temperature is Hot
Normal operating temperatures for a refrigerator are between 60 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit (16 and 35 degrees Celsius). The hotter and more humid the air is the less efficient the refrigerator will be, causing it to run more. If possible, keep the refrigerator within the recommended operating temperatures and as cool as possible.
Top Solution
02 - Magic Chef Refrigerator Compressor
The compressor is the component that pumps refrigerant through the sealed system to cool the appliance. If you've determined the fan motors are all working and the thermistor is accurately monitoring the air temperature, it's possible the compressor itself is inefficient, resulting in it running continuously, although this is not a common problem.
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Highly Likely
03 - Freezer Temperature is Above 10 Degrees F (-12C)
Since the refrigerator compartment gets its cold air from the freezer compartment for many model types ("Top Freezer", "Bottom Freezer", and "Side by Side" models, for example), the refrigerator compartment will take longer to cool down if the freezer is not cold enough. As a result, the compressor may run constantly. The freezer temperature should be set between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 to -15 Celsius).
Highly Likely
04 - Door Not Fully Closing
Check to see that the doors are closing properly. If a door bin or food item is keeping the door open slightly the refrigerator may not cool properly, which can cause the refrigerator to run constantly.
Highly Likely
05 - Magic Chef Refrigerator Defrost Heater Assembly
The defrost heater assembly turns on several times throughout the day to melt away any frost that may have accumulated on the evaporator coils. If the defrost heater assembly is defective, the refrigerator will not defrost, and frost will continue to accumulate on the evaporator coils. If the evaporator coils are frosted over, the refrigerator will work harder to remove the heat. As a result, the refrigerator will run constantly in an effort to cool down. To determine if the defrost heater is defective, use a multimeter to test it for continuity. If the defrost heater does not have continuity, replace it.
Common
06 - Magic Chef Refrigerator Defrost Thermostat
If the refrigerator runs constantly, the defrost thermostat might be defective. Several times a day the defrost heater turns on for a few minutes to melt away any frost that may have accumulated on the freezer or refrigerator evaporator coils. In order for this to work, the defrost thermostat has to sense that the coils are cold enough. If the coils are cold enough the defrost heater will turn on. If the thermostat is defective it may not be able to sense the temperature of the coils and then won't turn on the defrost heater. If the defrost heater doesn't turn on, the frost will build up on the coils and eventually no air ...
Common
07 - Magic Chef Refrigerator Control Board
If the refrigerator runs constantly, the control board might be defective. A few times a day the control board is supposed to turn off the cooling system and turn on the defrost heater to melt away any frost that may have accumulated on the freezer evaporator coils. If the control board is defective it could cause the system to never cycle into defrost.
Common
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my refrigerator running constantly?
My freezer is cold but the refrigerator section is warm, what should I check?
How do I test the defrost heater or defrost thermostat?
How can I tell if the compressor is bad?
How do I find and buy the correct replacement part on RepairClinic.com?
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