Official RCA refrigerator parts

Most common RCA refrigerator parts that need replacing

1. Compressor. A refrigerator compressor is often sold as part of a compressor motor kit. The compressor is a positive displacement pump rotated by an electric motor. The compressor receives low-pressure refrigerant gas from the evaporator and rotates to compress that refrigerant to a high-pressure gas that moves through the condenser. The refrigerant gets hot when compressed by the compressor pump. The condenser is a heat exchanger that removes heat from the refrigerant gas and condenses it into a high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant flows through the expansion device and into the evaporator that's at low pressure. The high-pressure refrigerant expands and evaporates. It absorbs the latent heat of vaporization as it changes from a liquid to a gas, which causes the cooling action in the evaporator. The refrigerant flows through the evaporator and back to the compressor where the cycles starts over.
2. Condenser fan. The condenser fan is located in the machine compartment of the refrigerator next to the compressor. It moves air across the condenser coils to help cool the hot refrigerant coming out of the compressor. The refrigerant is cooled before it moves through the expansion device and into the evaporator.
3. Defrost bi-metal thermostat. The defrost bi-metal thermostat is a safety device attached to the evaporator coil. The defrost bi-metal thermostat shuts off the refrigerator defrost heater if the heater gets hot enough to damage the evaporator.
4. Electronic control board. The refrigerator electronic control board controls the major electro-mechanical components in the refrigerator. When the electronic control board senses the compressor needs to run to cool the refrigerator, it sends voltage to the compressor and fans. It then receives input from temperature sensors to monitor the temperatures inside the refrigerator and freezer sections. With this information, the electronic control board controls cooling and the defrost cycle.

How to fix your RCA refrigerator when it isn't cooling

• Check air flow through the cabinet. Check whether containers are blocking air flow at the vents; your owner's manual usually shows where the vents are. Blocking vents prevents cool air from circulating through the refrigerator and freezer to properly cool stored items.
• Examine the door seals. Loose or damaged door seals allow warm air to enter the refrigerator and inhibit cooling. Check the refrigerator and freezer door seals for cracks or damage. Replace any damaged door seal. Reattach any loose door seal.
• Look for defrost system problems. Your refrigerator uses an automatic defrost system that melts frost off the evaporator coils to keep the refrigerator cooling efficiently. If you see frost buildup on the back wall inside the freezer, troubleshoot the defrost system to find out which part failed. A broken defrost heater or bad defrost bi-metal thermostat could cause the defrost failure. Find and replace the broken part.