Frigidaire FRSS2623AS (Side-by-Side) – Not cooling properly Repair Guide

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🔧 Not cooling properly Repair Guide for Frigidaire FRSS2623AS (Side-by-Side)

💡 Don’t panic! Test compressor start relay; check condenser coils for dirt/debris

📋 What You’ll Need

  • Start relay
  • Condenser coil brush
  • Vacuum

🔧 Step-by-Step Repair Instructions

🔧 Step 1: Test compressor start relay

  1. Unplug the refrigerator from the wall outlet and wait 5 minutes for capacitors to discharge.
  2. Pull the refrigerator away from the wall, creating at least 3 feet of clearance behind the unit.
  3. Locate the lower rear access panel on the back of the refrigerator, positioned approximately 8 inches from the bottom edge and spanning 18 inches wide.
  4. Remove the 4 sheet metal screws securing this panel using a 1/4-inch hex nut driver, placing screws in a container.
  5. Set the panel aside to expose the compressor—a large black cylindrical component approximately 10 inches tall in the lower right corner.
  6. Identify the start relay attached to the right side of the compressor—a small black or white plastic rectangular component measuring roughly 2×3 inches with 2-3 metal prongs inserted into the compressor terminals.
  7. Grip the relay body firmly and pull straight outward with steady pressure until the prongs disconnect from the compressor terminals—this requires 8-12 pounds of pulling force.
  8. Examine the relay for a burnt smell, scorch marks, or rattling sounds when shaken—any of these indicate failure.
  9. Set your multimeter to the ohms setting (Ί symbol) and touch one probe to each of the two larger metal prongs on the relay.
  10. Read the multimeter display—a functional relay shows 3-15 ohms of resistance; readings showing OL (open loop/infinite resistance) or 0 ohms indicate relay failure.
  11. Rotate the relay 180 degrees and repeat the resistance test—you should get the same 3-15 ohm reading from the opposite orientation.
  12. If readings fall outside 3-15 ohms, the relay (part number 5304491941 or compatible) requires replacement before proceeding to further diagnostics.

🛠️ Step 2: Clean condenser coils

  1. Unplug the refrigerator from the wall outlet or flip the dedicated circuit breaker to the OFF position.
  2. Locate the lower front grille panel spanning the full width of the refrigerator, positioned 2-3 inches above floor level.
  3. Grip the grille panel at both ends and pull the top edge toward you with steady pressure until the 4 plastic clips release (2 clips on each side).
  4. Set the grille panel aside on a clean surface.
  5. Lie on the floor and shine a flashlight into the opening to locate the condenser coils—black serpentine tubes with aluminum fins running horizontally across the bottom of the unit, approximately 4-6 inches deep from the front edge.
  6. Use a refrigerator condenser coil brush (18-24 inch long with narrow bristle head) and insert it into the space, sliding it horizontally along the coils from left to right.
  7. Pull the brush back toward you 5-6 times in each section, working in 6-inch segments across the entire width of the coils.
  8. Attach the crevice tool attachment to your vacuum cleaner hose.
  9. Insert the crevice tool into the same opening and vacuum along the base of the coils, moving from left to right to remove loosened dust and debris.
  10. Vacuum the floor area beneath the refrigerator opening to remove any fallen debris.
  11. Inspect the coils with your flashlight—they should appear mostly silver/gray (clean aluminum fins) rather than dark gray or black (dust-covered). Repeat brushing if more than 30% of fin surface remains covered in dust.
  12. Reposition the lower grille panel by aligning the 4 clips with their slots and pushing the panel firmly until you hear 4 distinct clicks.
  13. Restore power by plugging in the refrigerator or flipping the circuit breaker to ON.

⚙️ Step 3: Check compressor operation

  1. Locate the compressor at the bottom rear of the refrigerator – it’s a black cylindrical component approximately 8 inches tall and 6 inches in diameter, positioned 4 inches from the right side when viewing from the back.
  2. Plug the refrigerator back into the electrical outlet and turn the temperature control to its coldest setting by rotating the dial clockwise to the maximum position.
  3. Place your hand directly on the compressor’s metal housing and wait 3-5 minutes – it should become warm to the touch (approximately 100-130°F) and vibrate steadily, indicating normal operation.
  4. Listen for a low humming sound coming from the compressor – normal operation produces a consistent hum at approximately 60 Hz without clicking, rattling, or grinding noises.
  5. Locate the compressor relay on the right side of the compressor body – it’s a black plastic box measuring 2 inches by 1.5 inches, attached with a friction fit.
  6. Pull the relay straight off the compressor terminals using both hands with firm, even pressure – it will release after approximately 10 pounds of force.
  7. Shake the relay near your ear – you should hear a single solid rattle from the internal metal contact, not multiple loose pieces or no sound at all.
  8. Examine the three metal prongs inside the relay housing – they should be shiny silver without black burn marks, pitting, or corrosion.
  9. Look at the compressor’s three terminal pins where the relay connects – they should be clean and silver-colored, measuring approximately 0.25 inches in length, protruding evenly from the housing.
  10. Press the relay firmly back onto the compressor terminals until it seats completely flush against the compressor body with an audible snap.
  11. Unplug the refrigerator again before proceeding to the next diagnostic step.

🔩 Step 4: Verify refrigerant charge

  1. Locate the service ports on the compressor at the bottom rear of the refrigerator, 4 inches from the right side – you’ll see two copper lines with brass valve caps: the larger suction line (5/8 inch) on the left and smaller liquid line (1/4 inch) on the right.
  2. Attach a manifold gauge set: connect the blue low-pressure hose to the suction line service port and the red high-pressure hose to the liquid line service port using a 1/4-inch flare wrench, turning clockwise 3-4 full rotations until hand-tight.
  3. Turn both manifold gauge valves (blue and red knobs) to the closed position by rotating them fully clockwise.
  4. Start the refrigerator and let it run for 15 minutes to stabilize operating pressures.
  5. Read the low-side gauge (blue) – it should display 0-5 PSI for R-134a refrigerant at 70°F ambient temperature.
  6. Read the high-side gauge (red) – it should display 110-130 PSI for R-134a at 70°F ambient temperature.
  7. Check the sight glass on the liquid line (if equipped) located 8 inches from the compressor – you should see clear, bubble-free liquid flowing. Bubbles indicate low refrigerant charge.
  8. If pressures read below these ranges or bubbles appear in the sight glass, the system is undercharged and requires professional service.
  9. Close both manifold valves by turning them fully clockwise before disconnecting.
  10. Remove the hoses from the service ports by turning counterclockwise with the 1/4-inch flare wrench.
  11. Replace both brass service port caps, tightening them hand-tight plus 1/4 turn with an adjustable wrench.

📋 Step 5: Replace relay or clean coils as needed

  1. Locate the condenser coils on the rear lower section of the refrigerator, spanning approximately 24 inches wide and 12 inches tall, positioned 4 inches above the floor.
  2. Unplug the refrigerator from the wall outlet.
  3. Pull the refrigerator forward 3 feet from the wall to access the rear coils.
  4. Use a coil brush (8-inch long with soft bristles) to sweep downward through the vertical fins, starting from the top and working down in 2-inch sections across the entire coil surface.
  5. Vacuum the loosened dust and debris using a shop vacuum with the brush attachment, holding the nozzle 1 inch from the coils.
  6. Inspect the coils – clean coils appear silver or copper-colored with visible spacing between fins; repeat brushing if black dust buildup remains.
  7. Locate the compressor (black cylindrical component, 10 inches tall) in the lower rear left corner of the refrigerator, 6 inches from the left edge.
  8. Find the start relay attached to the right side of the compressor – a black plastic rectangular box measuring 2 inches x 3 inches.
  9. Pull the relay straight off the compressor terminals with a rocking motion (left-right, then pull).
  10. Shake the old relay near your ear – if you hear rattling, the internal component is broken and requires replacement.
  11. Match the new relay (part number 297370700 for this model) to the old one – verify 3 metal prongs on the bottom match the terminal configuration.
  12. Align the new relay’s 3 prongs with the compressor terminals and push straight down until it seats completely flush against the compressor body.
  13. Tug upward with 5 pounds of force – the relay should not move if properly installed.
  14. Plug the refrigerator back in and listen for the compressor to start within 2 minutes.

⚠️ 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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