Compressor bad I have a 5 1/2 year old refrigerator and the compressor has gone bad. should I replace or buy new? About 1 1/2 months ago it stopped cooling and I put a hard start (3 in 1) on it, so I guess the compressor was going bad then. Now I have tested with an ohm meter and the compressor has grounded. Could putting the 3 in 1 on it messed up anything else? Any advice? Thanks!!!!!

a bad defrost timer can be checked with a multi meter

It's really up to you, to decide whether you want your refrigerator to be fix or replaced and buy a new one. You need to calculate the cost between repair cost and the price of a new refrigerator. Which one is suited your budget plus the convenient of the trouble free unit for many years to come.
Since your refrigerator is about 12 years old already and it's undergo several repair, including the most expensive compressor replacement. I think it's economical to spend for a brand new unit.
New unit have service warranty of about one year, it will take many years before it undergo service repair if you use and treat it with proper care.
Good luck on your decision.

The overload/start relay may have gone bad.
Other possible causes:
* Bad thermostat. Check thermostat
* Defrost timer. Not definite but possibly bad. Last resort.
*Concentrate on getting the compressor to run first.
Once the compressor runs again, observe the refrigerator for a while to confirm cooling.
If there is no cooling after at least forty five minutes, your refrigerant may leaked out.

Do not despair, get the compressor running first. The worst case scenario would be a burnt compressor, and that has not been established yet.

might be your compressor relay gone bad. if the condenser fan was running and no compressor that could be the case. Also could be a bad compressor. you could try installing a 3in1 start kit. cost about $30. if doesn't start with that then compressor is kaput.

It is possible the capacitor has gone bad, cause, possibly a power surge. Suggest replacing capacitor first and see if problem happens again then I would change fan motor and capacitor. Good luck on your repairs

Dave

I concur, test the relay- Check your compressor relay-
http ://www.acmehowto.com/howto/appliance/refrigerator/check/compressorrelay.php

you have more than likely got a bad compressor it is pulling to many amps you need to replace the compressor

I have the same unit, same age, same problem. I'm pretty sure it's the compressor acting up. Figures, just out of warranty. Probably will end up buying a new fridge (No Amana, that's for sure!)

Had one a couple years ago did the same thing. Found the compressor was going bad and was pulling too many amps thru the control. Ended up buying a new frig.

I would think that compressor would cost a lot of money.So if I were you I would buy a new refrigerator .