What to do when the high-temperature alarm sounds on your Kelvinator chest freezer
The high-temperature alarm sounds when the temperature inside the freezer rises 15 degrees above the set temperature so that you can fix the cooling problem and prevent food spoilage. (The exact temperature rise that triggers the alarm varies by model.)
When you hear the alarm, check the freezer electrical outlet for power because the control uses a battery as back-up power to sound the alarm (on most models) when the outlet power fails. Restore power to the freezer by resetting the house circuit breaker for the electrical outlet and the freezer will resume cooling if a power failure caused the alarm.
If the alarm goes off and you hear the compressor running, a sealed system problem such as a refrigerant leak or a failed compressor pump may be causing the problem. Have a service technician examine the freezer if you suspect a sealed system failure. A service technician will need to diagnose and fix a sealed system failure because the repair involves the recovery and recharge of the refrigerant.
Replacing the compressor start relay on your Kelvinator chest freezer
- Unplug the freezer or shut off the circuit breaker for the freezer to disconnect electrical power.
- Pull the control knob straight off of the cold control thermostat. Remove the screws securing the compressor grille cover to the freezer cabinet. Hinge the grille cover down to access the back of the cold control thermostat. Squeeze together the 2 locking tabs that secure the cold control thermostat to the compressor grille cover and release the cold control thermostat from the grille.
- Squeeze the wire harness plug to release the locking tabs and remove the wire harness from the compressor start relay.
- Release the wire retainer from the compressor start relay. Grasp the compressor start relay firmly and pull it out of the connection terminals on the compressor.
- Position the new compressor start relay next to the compressor and line up the terminal prong connections. Push the compressor start relay onto the compressor terminal prongs. Reinstall the wire retainer on the start relay.
- Push the wire harness plug into the start relay. Make sure that the locking tabs snap into place.
- Position the cold control thermostat on the compressor grille cover and push it into the grille cover. Make sure that the locking tabs on the cold control thermostat snap into place on the grille cover. Position the control knob on the front of the cold control thermostat and push the control knob down on the stem of the cold control thermostat. Position the compressor grille cover properly on the freezer cabinet and secure it using the mounting screws.
- Plug in the freezer or turn on the house circuit breaker to restore electrical power.