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Post by elec573 on Sept 15, 2018 4:12:41 GMT
My second MT I picked up had nothing but a shorted cord . Hopefully it’s something simple. But unless you’re in a rush or really like this one there are lots of old ‘fridges out there that show up on eBay or craglist.
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Post by Swhip on Sept 15, 2018 6:28:23 GMT
I sent a message to the owner saying still interested. No answer back yet.
Thank you so much for the great information. I’ll definitely take a look before buying.
I really like this model and the color is great for my kitchen. And I’ll keep looking.
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slw
New Member
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Post by slw on Sept 20, 2018 18:21:40 GMT
Sure is hard to buy something when the person selling is close to non-responsive. So thought I’d check to see if any members here have come across a GE like the one posted on Craigslist, with the more squared lazy Susan shelves. I’m in the middle of California and can travel either direction. Let me know if you come across one.
Thanks
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Post by solarmike on Sept 20, 2018 20:10:32 GMT
Sure is hard to buy something when the person selling is close to non-responsive. Thanks Man you have got that right, I've tried to get several different people on craigs list to answer questions and send pics and you don't hear back from them... And if you do they hear back they say something like {yes, no or could be}
I guess they don't really want to sell it...
Good luck with your hunt......
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Post by turbokinetic on Sept 21, 2018 1:35:50 GMT
Sure is hard to buy something when the person selling is close to non-responsive. Thanks Man you have got that right, I've tried to get several different people on craigs list to answer questions and send pics and you don't hear back from them... And if you do they hear back they say something like {yes, no or could be}
I guess they don't really want to sell it...
Good luck with your hunt......
This is a very common problem. Seems that many sellers act dumb hoping you will buy their story that they don't know it has some serious hidden flaw. Classic eBay tactic "I don't know anything about this item but it looks to be in great shape." meaning "It is royally screwed. I wiped off the smoke marks around the air ventilation openings, so you can't see that it burned out."
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slw
New Member
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Post by slw on Sept 22, 2018 18:57:14 GMT
Seller finally reached out. Seems she is a nurse. She bought the refrigerator and then never used it or apparently plugged it in after purchase. She was told it needed a fan to move cold air from freezer to refrigerator but never verified the information. She says only the light comes on. We are going to look at it tomorrow afternoon. I’ll take some pictures. She said the price is negotiable which is good. I mentioned it might need a new compressor which is an expensive repair. If I should need to change out the compressor, fan and add Freon, what is the estimated cost? And can repairs be completed by someone with mechanical knowledge, but no HVAC background?
Thanks for information.
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Post by turbokinetic on Sept 22, 2018 20:16:50 GMT
Seller finally reached out. Seems she is a nurse. She bought the refrigerator and then never used it or apparently plugged it in after purchase. She was told it needed a fan to move cold air from freezer to refrigerator but never verified the information. She says only the light comes on. We are going to look at it tomorrow afternoon. I’ll take some pictures. She said the price is negotiable which is good. I mentioned it might need a new compressor which is an expensive repair. If I should need to change out the compressor, fan and add Freon, what is the estimated cost? And can repairs be completed by someone with mechanical knowledge, but no HVAC background? Thanks for information.
That's good that the seller finally reached out to you.
As far as the worst case repair with seized / burned compressor; this would be a tough call. The problem we've been seeing more often than I like; is that people can not find anybody who is willing to actually work on the vintage fridges at all, at any price.
If you can get a shop to work on it, changing the compressor would be (in my opinion) about a 2 hour job if you can get an exact replacement. These fridges are modern enough that a current production compressor would work; but mounting brackets would have to be fabricated for it. If brackets etc. have to be fabricated, you can expect that to take another hour or two.
So; expect about 2 - 4 hours of labor time, plus a compressor (guess $150) filter/dryer (about $15), fan motor ($20 - 40), and refrigerant ($20?).
That would be worst case damage to the existing compressor; repaired by an experienced person familiar with these. And again it's just an educated guess on my part. Hope for others comments!
But, more than likely, the compressor is not bad and the unit has some wiring / thermostat issue that needs to be addressed.
Sincerely, David
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Post by jake on Sept 22, 2018 22:05:51 GMT
If you have interior light(s) but no fan AND compressor activity that points to the thermostat (temperature control). If the compressor hums/buzzes for a few seconds then stops for a few minutes then repeatedly does the same thing the compressor is stuck. One other possibility is the compressor relay might be bad. Listen closely to the compressor. If it sounds like it's running for a few seconds then stops the relay isn't switching from start to run position. When this happens excessive current is pulled through the circuit for the compressor and the overload kicks off the compressor to prevent it from being damaged. But I'm betting, with lights and no fan or compressor activity, it's going to be the temperature control. Good luck and please us posted!
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Post by elec573 on Sept 23, 2018 4:38:38 GMT
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Post by ckfan on Sept 23, 2018 16:16:07 GMT
Sounds to me like you need to see it in person to see if it is really dead. It could be perfectly fine for all we know.
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slw
New Member
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Post by slw on Sept 24, 2018 19:20:40 GMT
I bought it! Now the fun beings. The compressor runs, no clicking or noise, fans don’t operate. Seems to seal on closing, but what looks like mold around the gasket. So don’t know if moisture escapes or just hasn’t been cleaned in a while. Some rust at bottom near vent and some cosmetic issues, small scratches. Overall though, it looks in good condition. Won’t be able to pick up for a couple of weeks due to family issues. Really anxious to get her home and cleaned up. Starting to look for parts, pieces and information. Any help greatly appreciated. Looking for brackets and shelf for above storage pans, Think freezer is missing a shelf or baskets, not sure. And I think there is a ice making component missing.
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slw
New Member
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Post by slw on Sept 24, 2018 19:23:09 GMT
Guess I need to reduce picture size somehow before posting. Hmmm
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Post by turbokinetic on Sept 24, 2018 22:47:29 GMT
That's great you were able to buy it. I love that turquoise color as well!
Hopefully you can locate a wiring diagram for this fridge and see what sort of switches etc. are involved in the fan circuit.
The condenser fan (underneath with the compressor) should run at all times the compressor is running. If it's not working, chances are the motor is gummed up and too stiff to run. This happens with age as the oil dries up.
The fan in the interior, sometimes condensation gets to it, or the same thing happens with the oil drying up.
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Post by elec573 on Sept 25, 2018 0:58:02 GMT
Glad you were able to get it . There might be a wiring diagram on it in the back or on the inside somewhere.
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Post by jake on Sept 25, 2018 2:59:41 GMT
That's awesome!! Glad to hear you got it!! As for the fans, there are some members of the forum who have old parts catalogs. If you can get part numbers, I'm sure you can track these down! Gemline, for example, has been out of business for a number of years. But thanks to the help of forum members here I was able to get a NOS Gemline cold control for my 1950 Frigidaire. Hopefully someone can chime in on those part numbers for you!! You can also take the old ones to your local appliance parts store. They may be able to match up the old one with new ones. You may need to reuse the old brackets and electrical plugs. But that's not too difficult to change over. Thanks for the pictures!! It's truly a gem!!
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