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Jenn-Air Fridge and Freezer temps erratic

6 years ago

I have an erratic temperature problem with my 12-yr-old Jenn-Air JBC2088HTW refrigerator/freezer. Temp is set at 0 in the freezer and 40 in the fridge, but it fluctuates wildly, often going as high as 40 in the freezer and 60 in the refrigerator. It occurred only occasionally at first, but then started doing it every day. I replaced the main electronic circuit board, and temps held steady for 4 days, but then the problem came back, and is now spiking high 2-3 times a day.

The coils are clean and there is no ice or even frost on them. Unplugging it seems to reset it, but only if it is unplugged for at least 20 minutes. It will then run normally at 0/40 degrees for a while, but then the problem returns. That indicates to me that perhaps something is overheating and becoming erratic, but returns to normal operation after it cools down.

I also hear a periodic buzzing sound near the compressor when the problem is occurring, indicating that perhaps it is the compressor starter relay (referred to in some posts I've found as the "inverter"). So I might try that next.

Anyone have a possible solution?

Thanks in advance!

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Comments (4)

remodeler_matt
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Update: I consulted a repair technician who said the buzzing was a sign that the starting relay/capacitor (which he referred to as the overload relay) might be the problem. He advised removing it and shaking it. If it rattled, it has failed. I haven't done that yet, but saw I could get the part for under $40, so I decided to order it and see if that fixes the problem. He said that if it isn't the starting device, I likely need a new compressor.

That makes no sense to me, since the unit would perfectly for hours on end, even days on end, then fail, and then go back to normal operation again after unplugging it for 20-30 minutes, Seems to me that if it was the compressor it would fail and stay failed, not work sporadically.

Any help out there?
dadoes
6 years ago
Difficult to diagnose from afar. Replacing the relay is not expensive for a DIYer, and you're done if it fixes the problem.

Just to say ... an inverter and a start/overload relay are not the same thing.
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remodeler_matt
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks, dadoes. I'm an electrician (power plants and transmission lines mostly) so I know the difference between an inverter and a relay. I just mentioned it because I found several posts referring to that particular part as an inverter, which I knew wasn't accurate. It's compressors and refrigerant that are a mystery to me! In my 40 years of experience I can't say I've ever heard of a relay that would work, then fail, then work again, over and over. But for $20 I'll give it a shot.
H. A.
last month
Hi OP, I have the exact same issues with the my fridge/freezer. Curious what ended up happening in your situation?

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