Frigidaire Upright Freezer: Replace Start Relay
The click-then-silence pattern from the back of a Frigidaire upright freezer, with the box slowly warming, almost always means the compressor start relay has failed — the single most common repair on these units. It plugs onto the compressor at the rear and takes about 15 to 20 minutes with no special tools.
Reading the click#
The relay gives the compressor its starting kick, then hands over to the run circuit once it is spinning. When it fails you hear a distinct rhythm: a click as the compressor tries, a hum of a second or two, a second click as the overload cuts it, then quiet for a few minutes before it repeats. That pattern is the tell. A compressor that instead runs steadily but does not cool points elsewhere — the sealed system or airflow — not the relay.
Safety warning: Unplug the freezer completely. Wait 5 minutes before touching compressor components. The start relay capacitor holds minimal charge but prudence is warranted. The compressor body may be warm if it has been attempting to start repeatedly.
What you need#
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tools | Phillips #2 screwdriver, quarter-inch nut driver on some models, multimeter, flashlight |
| Part | Compressor start relay and overload kit (Frigidaire 241707701 or model-specific) |
| Time and level | 15 to 20 minutes, Beginner |
Do You Have the Right Tools?
Multimeter ($85), vacuum pump ($250), diagnostic software, and specialized hand tools. Our technician arrives with $3,000+ in professional tools — your diagnostic is free.
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Step by step#
1 - Confirm it by ear. Listen at the rear for the click, brief hum, click, then a few minutes of silence. That cycle is diagnostic for a failed start relay; a compressor humming continuously with a warm box is a different problem.
2 - Open the compressor compartment. Pull the freezer out and remove the rear access panel, two to four screws, to reveal the black dome compressor with copper lines. The relay is the small plastic box plugged onto the pins on its side.
3 - Unplug the old relay and shake it. Pull it straight off the pins without rocking them — the pins are fragile — and take any attached overload disc with it. Shake the relay: a rattle inside means the contact plate has broken loose, the usual failure.
4 - Test to be sure. On a PTC relay, read between its start pins — about 3 to 12 ohms cold is healthy, and infinite means the ceramic element has cracked. Check the overload disc separately for continuity when cool.
5 - Plug in the new relay. It seats one way only on the keyed pins, so push it straight on until it is flush and firm, refit any separate overload, and reattach the power-cord spade.
6 - Test and close up. Plug in and listen: within about thirty seconds the compressor should start and run with a steady hum and no clicking. Let it run a few minutes to be sure, then unplug briefly, refit the rear panel, and slide it back — it should reach its setpoint over the next several hours.
PTC or coil relay?#
| Type | How it works | Typical failure |
|---|---|---|
| PTC (ceramic) | Ceramic element heats and raises resistance to drop the start winding out | Element cracks — rattles inside |
| Coil (older) | Electromagnetic coil energizes on start current, drops out as the motor speeds up | Coil burns open or contacts weld |
The solid-state PTC type is by far the more common on Frigidaire units, and its brittle ceramic is what gives way over years of thermal cycling.
Safety First — Know the Risks
Appliances involve high voltage (120-240V), pressurized water, gas lines, and chemical refrigerants. Over 400 DIY repair injuries are reported yearly. Our techs are licensed and insured — let them handle the risk.
Licensed & Insured · 90-Day Warranty · Same-Day Service
When the relay is not the fault#
- Seized compressor: a hard-start kit can sometimes coax a borderline one, but a truly seized compressor needs replacing.
- Low voltage: confirm the outlet gives a full 120V, since under 110V from a long cord or shared circuit stops the compressor starting even with a good relay.
- Overload failed on its own: test the disc for continuity when cool.
- Wiring: check the cord-to-relay spade for a loose or heat-damaged connection.
Appliance Repair Technician · 11 years experience
Experienced technician with 11 years specializing in Frigidaire and Electrolux refrigerator and dryer repair with a focus on safety.
