Frigidaire FFTR1821TS (Top Freezer) – Compressor running constantly Repair Guide

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🔧 Compressor running constantly Repair Guide for Frigidaire FFTR1821TS (Top Freezer)

💡 Don’t panic! Clean condenser coils; check door seals and temperature settings

📋 What You’ll Need

  • Condenser coil brush
  • Door seals

🔧 Step-by-Step Repair Instructions

🔧 Step 1: Clean condenser coils thoroughly

  1. Unplug the refrigerator from the wall outlet or switch off the dedicated circuit breaker.
  2. Grip the refrigerator sides and pull it straight out from the wall approximately 3-4 feet to access the rear panel.
  3. Locate the lower rear access panel—a thin metal or plastic panel spanning the width of the unit, positioned 2-4 inches above the floor and secured by 4-6 screws.
  4. Remove all panel screws using a Phillips-head screwdriver #2, turning counterclockwise. Place screws in a small container.
  5. Lift the panel up slightly, then pull it toward you to disengage the bottom clips. Set the panel aside.
  6. Identify the condenser coils—black or dark gray zigzagging metal fins spanning horizontally across the bottom rear section, measuring approximately 18-24 inches wide and 6-8 inches tall.
  7. Use a flashlight to inspect between the coil fins for dust, lint, pet hair, and debris accumulation.
  8. Attach the brush attachment to your vacuum cleaner hose.
  9. Run the vacuum brush horizontally along the coil fins from left to right, applying moderate pressure to dislodge debris without bending fins. Make 3-4 complete passes.
  10. Switch to a condenser coil cleaning brush (thin bristle brush, approximately 24 inches long with 2-inch wide bristles) and insert between the coil fins.
  11. Move the brush up and down in a pumping motion, working from the left edge to the right edge in 2-inch increments.
  12. Vacuum again to remove loosened debris, making 2-3 additional passes until no visible dust remains on the coils.
  13. Inspect the condenser fan (circular blade, typically 4-6 inches diameter, located on the left or right side of the coils)—vacuum any dust from the blade surfaces and motor housing.
  14. Reposition the lower access panel, aligning the bottom clips first, then pressing firmly until they snap into place.
  15. Insert and tighten all screws clockwise until snug but not over-tightened.
  16. Push the refrigerator back into position against the wall.
  17. Restore power by plugging in the unit or switching on the circuit breaker.

🛠️ Step 2: Check door seals for gaps

  1. Open the refrigerator door fully to 90 degrees and locate the magnetic door gasket – the rubber seal running continuously around the entire door perimeter, approximately 1.5 inches wide.
  2. Starting at the top left corner of the refrigerator door, run your hand slowly along the gasket while pressing gently inward with your fingertips (applying approximately 1-2 pounds of pressure).
  3. Move your hand along the top section from left to right, feeling for any areas where the gasket surface feels cracked, torn, or compressed flat instead of slightly rounded.
  4. Continue down the right side of the door from top to bottom, maintaining the same pressure with your fingertips.
  5. Check the bottom section from right to left, paying extra attention to the lower corners where condensation commonly causes deterioration.
  6. Complete the inspection by checking the left side from bottom to top.
  7. Close the refrigerator door completely and place a dollar bill vertically against the door frame at the top center position.
  8. Close the door on the dollar bill so that half extends outside the refrigerator.
  9. Pull the dollar bill outward with moderate force – you should feel significant resistance, and the bill should pull out slowly or tear slightly.
  10. Repeat the dollar bill test at 8 additional locations: top left corner, top right corner, middle of right side, bottom right corner, bottom center, bottom left corner, middle of left side, and top left corner.
  11. Mark any locations where the dollar bill slides out easily with a piece of masking tape on the door exterior – these indicate gap areas where the seal is failing.
  12. Visually inspect all marked areas with the door open, looking for visible flattening, tears, or gaps between the gasket and door frame measuring more than 1/16 inch.

⚙️ Step 3: Verify temperature settings

  1. Open the refrigerator door and locate the electronic control panel on the ceiling of the fresh food compartment, approximately 2 inches back from the front edge and centered left to right.
  2. Press the “Refrigerator” button once to display the current refrigerator temperature setting on the digital readout.
  3. Check that the refrigerator display shows 37°F (the factory recommended setting). If it shows a different number, press the “Refrigerator” button repeatedly until the display cycles to 37°F.
  4. Press the “Freezer” button once to display the current freezer temperature setting on the digital readout.
  5. Verify the freezer display shows 0°F (the factory recommended setting). If it shows a different number, press the “Freezer” button repeatedly until the display cycles to 0°F.
  6. Wait 5 seconds after making any adjustments. The display will flash three times, then return to showing the actual current temperature inside the compartments.
  7. Close the refrigerator door and wait 24 hours to allow the unit to stabilize at the new settings before proceeding to further diagnostics.
  8. After 24 hours, place an appliance thermometer on the middle shelf of the refrigerator compartment, centered front-to-back and left-to-right, away from walls.
  9. Place a second appliance thermometer in the freezer compartment on the middle wire rack, centered in the same manner.
  10. Close both doors and wait 8 hours without opening them.
  11. Open the refrigerator door and read the thermometer. The temperature should read between 35°F and 38°F.
  12. Open the freezer door and read the thermometer. The temperature should read between -2°F and +2°F.
  13. If both readings fall within these ranges, the temperature controls are functioning correctly and temperature is not the source of your cooling problem.

🔩 Step 4: Test door seal with dollar bill

  1. Open the refrigerator door completely to access the full perimeter of the door gasket.
  2. Locate the door gasket—the black rubber seal that runs continuously around the entire door opening, approximately 2 inches wide with a magnetic strip embedded inside.
  3. Take a crisp U.S. dollar bill (or similar paper currency) and position it vertically against the gasket at the top center of the door, 18 inches from the left edge.
  4. Close the door on the dollar bill so that half the bill extends outside the refrigerator and half remains inside the compartment.
  5. Pull the bill outward with steady pressure—you should feel moderate resistance, requiring approximately 1-2 pounds of force to slide the bill out without tearing it.
  6. Move 6 inches to the left along the top seal and repeat the test—close the door on the bill and pull it out, noting the resistance level.
  7. Continue testing every 6 inches around the entire door perimeter in this order: top edge (4 test points), left vertical edge (5-6 test points), bottom edge (4 test points), right vertical edge (5-6 test points).
  8. Pay special attention to the four corners where the gasket changes direction—test within 2 inches of each corner junction.
  9. Mark any locations with a pencil where the bill slides out with little to no resistance or falls out when you release it—these indicate weak seal points.
  10. Mark any locations where the bill cannot be pulled out at all—these indicate the gasket may be compressed or misaligned.
  11. Check for consistent resistance at all test points—the dollar bill should require similar pulling force at every location around the door.

Step 5.

📋 Step 5: Replace seals if needed

  1. Open the refrigerator door and locate the rubber gasket that runs continuously around the entire door perimeter, sitting in a channel approximately 1/4 inch deep.
  2. Run your hand along all four sides of the gasket, checking for cracks, tears, hardened sections, or areas where the gasket pulls away from the door surface by more than 1/8 inch.
  3. Close the door on a dollar bill at 8-10 different locations around the perimeter (top corners, middle of each side, bottom corners). Pull the bill out at each location – if it slides out easily without resistance, the seal fails at that point.
  4. Open the door fully and grasp the top-left corner of the gasket, pulling it outward from the metal channel with steady pressure until the retainer lip releases.
  5. Work your way around the entire door perimeter, pulling the gasket completely free from the channel. The gasket is held by compression only, no adhesive.
  6. Use a flat-head screwdriver to pry out any retaining strips if present in the channel (some units have a thin plastic or metal strip running behind the gasket).
  7. Starting at the top-left corner, align the thick retainer lip of the new gasket with the metal channel opening.
  8. Push the gasket lip into the channel using your thumbs, working in 6-inch sections along the top edge until you reach the top-right corner.
  9. Continue down the right side, across the bottom, and up the left side in the same manner, ensuring the gasket corners form 90-degree angles without bunching.
  10. Close the door and verify it seals uniformly – the gasket should compress evenly with no visible gaps exceeding 1/16 inch anywhere along the perimeter.

⚠️ Safety Reminders

  • Always unplug the refrigerator before beginning any repair work
  • Allow the unit to warm up if working with frozen components
  • Use proper tools and safety equipment
  • If you’re unsure about any step, consult a professional

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🛒 Recommended Products

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