Amana ATB Refrigerator: Abnormal Noise or Vibration

Frequently Asked Questions

Which noises on the ATB line are normal?

Gurgling as refrigerant moves, popping as plastic expands and contracts, and water running into the drain pan after a defrost cycle. All three get more noticeable in a quiet room rather than in a failing appliance.

How do I tell the two fans apart?

Open the freezer door. The evaporator fan is switched off by the door, so a noise that stops the instant the door opens is that fan. Anything that carries on is in the machine compartment.

Is it safe to keep using it?

A rattle, a resonance or a single knock is a nuisance rather than a hazard. A repeating click with no cooling, a burning smell, or a breaker that trips are reasons to switch it off and book a visit.

Does levelling really change the noise?

Often, yes. A cabinet that is not sitting on all its feet, or that touches a wall or a neighbouring unit, transmits normal running vibration into the structure around it.

Is a noisy compressor about to fail?

Not necessarily. Compressors that have got louder are usually transmitting through tired mounts. A compressor genuinely in trouble normally shows itself as a cooling loss first.

Should I put something under it to damp the noise?

Deal with the cause instead. A mat under a cabinet that is not level hides a resonance without fixing it, and it can make the levelling worse.

Why is it louder at certain times of day?

Ambient noise, not the appliance. A compressor cycle that is inaudible at midday fills a quiet kitchen at night, which is why night-time complaints are so common.

Is a knocking sound dangerous?

A single knock at compressor start or stop is a contact point and is harmless. A knock that repeats through a running cycle is worth having looked at rather than lived with.