Problem: The refrigerator is making a clicking sound every 2-3 minutes.
Quick Solution: Let me save you $90(plus) and tell you the problem is most likely the Start Relay. You can fix it yourself for $15 or less.
Discovery: One evening there was a clicking sound coming from the kitchen that was much louder and more frequent than normal. It was occurring once every two to three minutes. After spending 15 minutes wandering around the kitchen tracking the source of the sound I realized it was coming from the back of the refrigerator. I removed the metal bracket and realized the clicking sound is coming from either the compressor or something close to it. I also noticed the compressor was not turning on. If it was I would have been able to hear it, see it vibrating and it would have been warm to the touch. I used the 800 number listed inside the fridge to call the manufacturer. They ran through a few minor troubleshooting steps and said it was a normal sound and that everything was working properly. They fooled me. The next morning everything was thawed out in the freezer and starting to get warm in the fridge, which required an emergency trip to the grocery store to buy bags of ice. After calling the manufacturer back they put me in touch with an appliance repair vendor in the area who wanted to charge $89 for a service call just to diagnose the problem. Thanks, but no thanks. Through a combination of YouTube videos and Google searches I was able to diagnose and fix the problem myself for free. Follow the instructions below to do the same in less time than it takes your ice cubes to melt!
LG refrigerator with bottom freezer
Refrigerator model: LFX25960ST
Start relay:
The code written on mine was 4R7MB
Replacement part to order: LG Electronics 6748C-0002C Refrigerator Start Relay
Solution:
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- Unplug the refrigerator from the wall outlet
- Remove the metal bracket on the back rear of the fridge so you can access the compressor
- Identify the black box attached to the compressor
- There are two groups of wires that run into the black box as well as a grounding wire. Leave the grounding wire connected. Follow each group of wires to the other end and unplug the plastic housings.
- The hardest part of the repair is removing the black box that is connected to the compressor. This box contains the start relay and overload relay. They connect the wires to the compressor and are responsible for supplying the signals and appropriate power levels to turn on and off the compressor so your refrigerator stays at the temperature you specify.
- How do you remove the black box? Get a flathead screwdriver. Find the notch on top of the box and insert the head of the screwdriver. The screwdriver should be parallel to the ground. Press down on the handle of the screwdriver with some force so the top of the black box pops down. Pull the box off. You can leave the wires running through the side of the box.
- Take a picture of the wires as they connect to the relay, overload and ground terminals. This will help you reconnect them once you fix the relay.
- Work the relay back and forth to remove it from the leads on the compressor. Then remove the wires from the relay.
- Gently shake the relay. Does it rattle? If so, you’re on the right track. The ceramic connector inside the relay is most likely broken.
- Using a small screwdriver, remove the case of the relay. Identify the circular ceramic connector inside. Most likely it is broken in two or more pieces. You need that connector to make contact with all of the leads on your relay. My connector was broken in two so I was able to remove the smaller piece and spin the larger piece so that it was in contact with each of the leads on the relay.
- Reassemble everything. Don’t forget to reference your picture when reattaching the wires!
- Plug your refrigerator back in and wait about 5-10 minutes to determine if the relay and compressor are working properly. Some refrigerators power up in a specific manner and require a few minutes before the compressor kicks on. So be patient.
- Add a comment and let me know if this worked for you
Additional Notes: If the ceramic disc inside your relay is broken to the point you can’t find a single piece that is large enough to make contact with each lead on the relay than you may need to order a replacement relay. There should be a model number written on the side of the start relay. There are many different types of relays so make sure you order the correct one. If you look up the replacement part on Amazon they should list the refrigerator models that it is compatible with. Also do a Google image search to make sure it looks like the right part. I ordered a replacement relay for $15 only to have the wrong one shipped to me (vendor’s fault not mine) at which point I decided to try and fix it myself.