- 1). Monitor your food stored in the refrigerator, especially produce and meat, for signs of premature rotting. Note the date you stored the food and whether items are expiring before they should. This could indicate that your fridge has a bad compressor or thermostat or that the defrost or condenser fans are broken. Put a cooking thermometer in the refrigerator and monitor the readings over several days to check for lower than normal temperatures.
- 2). Check your food items for signs of frost. Ensure that the temperature setting is not lower than normal. Icy food may signal a sealant problem because moisture can get into the refrigerator and freeze over. It also could mark a faulty internal thermometer. Put a cooking thermometer in the refrigerator and monitor the readings over several days to check for higher than normal temperatures.
- 3). Listen to your refrigerator's motor. It should not run continuously. Properly working refrigerators run the motor only to boost the cooling system, while a motor running continuously could indicate a cooling problem or motor sensor issue. Conversely, the motor should not be stopped completely -- that is a sure sign of a broken refrigerator.
- 4). Run your fingers over seals both inside and out of the refrigerator and visually inspect them for signs of condensation. The rubber seals may be broken or the temperature control could need repair. Condensation or puddles around the bottom seals may signal a broken tube channel.
- 5). Look under and behind your appliance for signs of puddles or dripping leaks. There should not be any water coming from or pooling under your refrigerator. Evidence of puddles or leaks could mean anything from a coolant leak to motor problem to a broken defrost system.
- 6). Visually inspect the refrigerator's power cord, ensuring that you never touch bare wires or wires that are sparking. Check for signs of disrepair, including frayed wires, sparking plugs or loose connections.
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