I just wanted to add in case anyone has any ideas about this, that once the house quieted down last night, I could hear the frig humming. I turned all the switches to "off" and the humming stopped. Does the humming imply that the fans are running or is it from something else?

I cannot get a repair person to come til Friday. They suggested it's either compressor (about $1000 to fix) or evap fan (about $300 to fix)

We are leaning toward just getting a new frig.

More than likely your fridge being over 9 years old did not use the variable speed compressor as did the newer ones, (circa 2006), but if you leave a model number, I can check.

Why is this important?
With the older style on/off compressors , these used a "Start Relay", a very inexpensive and easily replaced part. It is very hard to find an "Honest Appliance Repair" service today, they always want to sell you the more expensive parts, even thou in many cases that part, (compressor in this case), is most likely, not needed.

Gary

Thank you for the response. It is a jenn air, JCB2059GES.

I turned it on again today and there is definitely air blowing in the freezer but it is not cold air.

Appreciate the help!

OK that model does use the old style compressor (On/off) and it does use
a "Start Relay", which is about $35. You can get the part here:

http://www.repairclinic.com/Jenn-Air-Refrigerator-Model-JCB2059GES-ID-630296-Compressor-Sealed-System-Parts

You can also google the model # of your fridge and the word "parts" and several sites will come up, Fixya, Just Answer and even Garden Web, and in most cases the relay fixed the problem!
Sometimes the wires going to it need to be repaired too but that is a minor fix.

Good luck with it!

Gary

Thank you for the information. It is very kind of you to go to such detail for us.

I think we are going to try the repair, but my husband will review all the diagrams and available repair info before deciding.

That said, is it better to hire a service person do it? DH is very handy with mechanical and electrical things, but it's hard for him to find the time these days. I notice the site you linked above gives it 3 of 4 wrenches for "skill level."

Thank you again.

Well if husband is that busy, maybe it's best to hire a service person,

At the very least you will be paying for an "Honesty Test"

How?

Don't mention the relay to him, see if He even bothers to check it, if He doesn't and tells you "The Compressor needs replaced", then show him the door, ASAP!!

If Husband decides to do it, MAKE SURE , the fridge is disconnected from all power, (Not just turned off).!!!!!!

Gary

Thanks - we'll report back about this. He is travelling next week so it will be after that.

Hooray!

Glad it worked out!!!

Unfortunately, it's likely many compressors probably get replaced that were not bad. They replace that relay when they change the compressor, and since the fridge now works, folks are "None The Wiser"

You were smart in looking for help on the net before calling the appliance shop, although it would have been interesting to see "Their Diagnosis" and estimate.

Thanks for your kind offer about dinner, I used to get up to the Northwest, quite a bit, but now I usually take the train to see my 90 year old Mom in Coeur de Lane, Idaho and unfortunately it goes to Portland then I catch a different train to Spokane.

Gary

Hi,

I have a jennair stainless counterdepth fridge with freezer on the bottom and pantry doors purchased in Jan 2005. It stopped cooling in freezer and fridge. It had been making clicking cycling sounds at short repeated intervals, then it stopped cooling. Do you think it's the relay mentioned above?

It cost roughly $3200 and I can't afford to buy a new stainless fridge like this!

Do you think it's worth repairing?

Thank you!

Relays typically are not an expensive part, if that's the problem.