Model Hotpoint RLA80P. Motor constantly running and fridge, therefore, freezing all food. Have already changed the thermostat - no improvement. What is the most likely cause?

Tom Knowles, November 2009

Thanks for this suggestion. I'll try with the stat wires disconnected and let you know the result.

Tom Knowles, November 2009

None that I can think of. If it is a normal on or off thermostat then it has to be in the on position & not switching off for some reason. Maybe end of capillary is not in correct place, usually touching or very close to cooling plate. Try taking the two wires off the thermostat, make them safe then turn wall switch on. If motor now does not run it must be the thermostat. Put wires back on & try again. If motor runs then I would get another thermostat to try. Make sure you get it from a Hotpoing parts dealer & give them the full model number to make sure they give the correct thermostat.

Lincoln Appliance NZ, November 2009

Thanks for your reply. The thermostat is turned down to the lowest number (1) and it's the same type (Ranco) as the original. I know that the routing of the capillary is important but, on the RLA80P, there is only a very small hole to insert the capillary and, when you push the capillary down this hole, you have no access to control its route thereafter. The electrical connections are correctly installed - green/yellow to stat body and the other 2 wires have different size connectors so that it's not possible to get them on the wrong way round.

Assuming that the stat isn't faulty, are there any other possibilities which would give the fault symptoms?

Tom Knowles, November 2009

The job of the thermostat is to stop the motor when the fridge is cold enough. If the motor runs constantly & the fridge is too cold (you say it freezes the food) then I would say that you have not installed the thermostat correctly or it was a faulty one. You haven't got the thermostat turned up to the highest number have you?

Lincoln Appliance NZ, November 2009