Should I replace my refrigerator?

Question

My fridge is freezing stuff in the main compartment. It's about 12 years old. I've cleaned the coil (which was covered and not really dirty.) Should I replace it?

Answer 1

It is cooling well. Unless you have another reason for replacing it then probably not. You told us nothing about your refrigerator. If it is an inexpensive top freezer then yes, likely you have a bad thermostat.

Could be a bad damper/control if it is a more expensive one or a side by side.

The thermostat part is not very expensive if you or somebody you know can replace it.

Good Luck.  

Answer 2

Yes new=good, They come in all price ranges. Lowes has 6 months no interest.  You will be glad to have a new one.  Sounds like you got your moneys worth out of the old one. Go shop.

Answer 3

It does sound like the thermostat, but a full manual defrost is a very good idea to start with.  Try looking here for some troubleshooting advice:

http://www.repairclinic.com/0088_4_1.asp...

Answer 4

Your thermostat is defective and not turning the compressor off.

Answer 5

It's an issue with the thermostat.

Cheaper to fix than to get a new fridge.

Answer 6

Do you have a plan like service plus from your energy company?

Maybe they can check the refrigerator out.

Otherwise, 12 years is a good age for replacement.  Newer ones are much more efficient.

Answer 7

First of all is the fridge running constantly? If it is then the fault lies in temperature controls. It seems a shame to throw it out without trying the fix of the control or just defrosting the thing and restarting. Could be that just turning the control k**b will jar it into working. Try turning the k**b down just a little bit at at time when you know it should be off like in the morning and see if it will turn off the unit.

Answer 8

SOUNDS LIKE THE DEFROST TIMER IS STUCK OR BAD,LOOK FOR A SMALL SLOTTED s***w IN THE TOP PART OF THE REFIG,TURN IT ONE COMPLETE ROUND,THIS WILL RESET IT,THIS MAY FIX YOUR PROBLEM,IF IN A FEW DAYS IT STARTS FREEZING AGAIN,EITHER,CALL A SVC.PERSON OR THEN GO BUY A NEW REFRIG.FOR WHAT IT WILL COST TO REPLACE THE TIMERER,YOU MAY COME OUT JUST AS CHEAP TO REPLACE IT

Answer 9

First, most refrigerators built after 1990 were given a 10-12 year lifespan.

If things are getting frozen, where they aren't supposed to, you could try lowering the temperature in the freezer and fridge.

Or I would try taking everything out and put it in a cooler with ice, unplugging it and letting it thaw out. When you turn it back on turn it on the lowest temperature available and every hour or so raise it another number to let it slowly cool back off.

If items are still getting frozen I would recommend a new fridge. :[