Common failure modes
Not cooling or not cold enough. Most of the time this isn’t the compressor. Start with the condenser coils (blocked airflow), evaporator fan motor (failed), door gaskets (leaking heat in), or a thermistor feeding wrong temp readings to the control board. Sealed-system failures (compressor, refrigerant leak) happen too, but they’re less common and more involved to diagnose properly.
Running constantly but never reaching temp. Usually a gasket problem, a defrost issue (ice blocking the evaporator coil), or a dirty condenser. Sometimes a low refrigerant charge.
Freezer works, fresh food section doesn’t. Almost always airflow: the evaporator fan is blocked by ice, or the damper controlling cold air to the upper compartment is stuck. The evaporator is behind interior panels, so getting to it means disassembly.
Ice maker stopped. Check the shutoff arm and confirm the freezer is at or below 10°F. If those are fine, the water inlet valve or ice maker assembly is the usual cause.
Water under the crisper drawers or pooling on the floor. Clogged defrost drain most of the time. Less often a cracked water line or failed door seal.
Rattling, squealing, or grinding noise. Fan motors (evaporator and condenser) degrade before they fail completely. Compressor vibration that’s gotten louder is worth having checked sooner rather than later.
Display or control board not responding. Unplug the unit for 2 minutes and plug back in. If it doesn’t clear, the board likely needs replacement.
Built-in and column refrigerators
Sub-Zero runs dual compressor/evaporator systems, one per compartment. Repairs cost more and require brand-specific training to avoid voiding the factory warranty. Thermador built-ins share a platform with Bosch and Gaggenau; parts availability is good but diagnostics need factory tooling. Fisher & Paykel’s ActiveSmart control system uses adaptive logic that can be misread without experience.
If you have any of these brands, call before sourcing parts yourself. Ordering the wrong board or valve is expensive, and return windows on premium parts are short.
What you can check first
A few things are safe and worth doing before calling a tech:
- Confirm the unit is plugged in and the breaker hasn’t tripped
- Check that temperature settings haven’t shifted (common after a power outage)
- Close a dollar bill in the door and pull it out. If the gasket grips, it’s sealing. If the bill slides out freely, heat is getting in.
- Vacuum accessible condenser coils (usually at the back or underneath) if they’re visibly dusty
If the problem is still there after those checks, it needs a tech.
When to call us
Refrigerant work requires EPA certification and specialized recovery equipment. Control boards need to match the exact model, otherwise the unit behaves unpredictably. Compressor replacement on a built-in is a half-day job with tooling most homeowners don’t have. Getting any of it wrong typically costs more than just having it done right from the start.
We stock parts for all major brands and finish most refrigerator repairs on the first visit. We’ll get you on the schedule quickly, often same or next day when we can, 7 days a week across Tri-Valley. Licensed CSLB #1136642, BBB A+, Manitowoc factory-certified (commercial ice), and a 1-year warranty on parts and labor.
Call us or book at adriumservice.com.