Parts used:
8201769

Difficulty level:
Easy 2/5

Time of repair:
30 - 60 minutes

Tools:
Socket wrench or screwdriver to remove cardboard cover in lower part of refrigerator (back)

Customer:
sergio, TX

Refrigerator started making clicking sound and stopped cooling, although fan was running. Research pointed to a bad start relay, which may have failed due to accumulation of dirt on condenser coils.

My Repair & Advice:

Original part was a combination of start relay and overload protection. Whirlpool has since replaced with a kit that includes start relay and two different overload parts (depending on which compressor is installed). Old part pulls right off (may need some prying with a flat blade scredriver), and new parts are pushed on, after switching wires from the old to the new parts. Instructions are simple and clear. A word of caution: To save $10 I ordered the parts from another website and received two parts in plastic bags, without part number or instructions. Obviously knock-off parts, similar looking, but no way of knowing if the overload was for my compressor. After installing, refrigerator started and quickly shut down. I then reordered from Parts Dr, got original parts in two days via UPS and the refrigerator is back running. This was my first experience with Parts Dr.

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Parts used:
8201769

Difficulty level:
Very Easy 1/5

Time of repair:
15 - 30 minutes

Tools:
Vacuum cleaner, Phillips and flat blade screwdrivers, multimeter, needle nose pliers, and linesmen plier.

Customer:
Peter D, CA

The refrigerator's compressor would not turn on or provide any cooling but just constantly click.

My Repair & Advice:

This Whirlpool refrigerator originally uses the single piece integrated 2213106 to serve as the start relay for the compressor as well as overload protection. On this refrigerator the overload stills works but the PTC part within was shattered. After pulling it off the compressor it was making noise when I shook it. It sounded like pieces of gravel rattling inside. Before taking the the wires off from this device, be sure to make a sketch of the color coding. I made the sketch right on the back cardboard cover. I've tested it with the multimeter and found no continuity between the two terminals. After some online research, I found out the original part was obsolete. The new part that was recommended was 8201769. This part was a little different physically than the original. It comes with a black plastic cover as well as 2 separately internal parts. The one with the single prong that plugs into the compressor is for overload protection. There are two of these parts in the kit, the right one to use depends on the model of the compressor. Look at the compressor checking for model number and use the appropriate one. Please refer to the supplied instructions with this kit. The other part which is black and has two prongs is the start relay. Be sure to check the compressor making sure there are no short-circuit of grounding with the multimeter before replacing with this kit. Otherwise it will suffer an immediate failure. The kit also supplied a short jumper adapter that has to be used for connecting the start portion right on back of the PTC to connect with the wiring harness. This is because that terminal is smaller than the other one on the wiring harness and would not fit directly but on the back of the PTC.

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Parts used:
8201769

Difficulty level:
Easy 2/5

Time of repair:
15 - 30 minutes

Tools:
Flashlight. Small Flat-Headed screwdriver. Hex-head screw driver

Customer:
Stephan, TX

Refridgerator stopped cooling

My Repair & Advice:

First of all, the instructions came with the part. Go slow, follow the directions and you will be just fine. Unplug fridge. Rotate the Fridge to see the back side. Unscrew the back panel (mine was card-board) find the compressor (It is big and round). The Start Device is on the left side. Pull it off of the compressor and take all three wires off. Blue, Red, White. I used a small flat-head screwdriver to help get the wires off of the old Start Device Kit. The next step is crucial. There are 2 similar parts that come in the box. You have to figure out which one goes with your compressor. Again, the directions that come with the part have the guide/instructions. That piece (white plastic) goes on the bottom. Then the other piece(black fits on the top) Reattach the wires as described in the directions. You are provided with a white "jumper" it goes between the old white wire and the new pieces you just installed. Just go slowly and double check everything as you are working. Then check them again. After the wires are all connected, cover the whole thing with the plastic cover provided in the box. It snaps on, top then bottom. At this point, I plugged the refrigerator back in to make sure that it worked. I let it run for 10 to 15 minutes (it is quieter than I remember) but after that I checked the Freezer and it was getting cold. The thing works great. You should probably unplug it and then reinstall the back panel, reposition the fridge then replug it in. If it didn't work the first time, I would recommend unplugging it and double checking all of your work. Like I said, MINE WORKED GREAT THE FIRST TIME!!!

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