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HomeRepair HelpInglis Refrigerator RepairInglis Refrigerator runs constantly Repair
Inglis Refrigerator runs constantly
If your Inglis refrigerator runs constantly or your fridge is running constantly, start with the basics: a hot, humid room makes any refrigerator work harder, so keeping the appliance in the recommended 60 to 95 F range often fixes the problem. If ambient temperature is normal, the next suspects are the compressor or sealed system; a weak compressor can cause the refrigerator compressor to run continuously even with fans and thermistor working. Also check the freezer temperature — if the freezer is above about 10 F the fridge will struggle to cool. Inspect the doors next for bins or food blocking a full seal, since a door not fully closing forces the unit to run non stop. Frost buildup from a failed defrost heater assembly or a defective defrost thermostat can also block airflow through the evaporator coils and make the refrigerator run constantly; both components can be checked for continuity with a multimeter. Enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact replacement part for your refrigerator and get step by step parts and repair guidance.
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 - Inglis 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 - Inglis 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 - Inglis 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 - Inglis 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
Refrigerator runs constantly — what should I check first?
Freezer working but fridge not cooling — why is the refrigerator running constantly?
How do I test the defrost heater assembly or defrost thermostat?
How can I tell if the compressor is the problem?
How do I enter my model number to find the right replacement part on RepairClinic.com?