The gasket seals the door against the cabinet. A hardened or torn seal lets warm, humid air in, which causes frost, constant running and condensation.
Appliance part
Compressor Start Relay
The start relay gives the compressor a momentary boost to start.
When it fails, the compressor clicks, hums briefly and trips, and the cabinet warms
It is one of the few sealed-system-adjacent parts a homeowner can replace.
Symptoms of a failed compressor start relay
- Clicking from the back every few minutes
- Compressor hums then stops
- Freezer warm with no fan or compressor run
Fitment
Relays are matched to the compressor terminals; PTC and current-relay types are not interchangeable.
Before you buy
Confirm the model and serial plate before ordering — two parts can look identical and still not fit. If you would rather not fit it yourself, request a repair quote and we will route it to an independent technician.
Guides that cover this part
Related parts
The defrost heater melts frost off the evaporator during the defrost cycle. If it fails, ice builds up, airflow stops and the freezer warms.
The evaporator fan moves cold air from the coil into the cabinet. A failed motor leaves the compressor running but the cabinet warm, and it often makes a bearing noise before it stops.
The ice maker fills, freezes and dumps cubes on a timer. Failures show up as no ice, small or hollow cubes, or a maker that overflows.
The thermostat or thermistor tells the compressor when to run. A failed sensor makes the freezer run constantly or not at all, and the part is inexpensive compared with the compressor it protects.