Normal Operating Sounds & Sights; Understanding The Sounds You May Hear - Kenmore 970-4204 Use & Care Manual

Normal Operating Sounds

Understanding the sounds you may hear

Your new high-efficiency refrigerator may make unfamiliar
sounds. These are all normal sounds and soon will become
familiar to you. They also indicate your refrigerator is
operating as designed. Hard surfaces, such as vinyl or
wood floors, walls, and kitchen cabinets may make sounds
more noticeable. Listed below are descriptions of some
of the most common sounds you may hear, and what is
causing them.
NOTE
Rigid foam insulation is very energy efficient, but is not a
sound insulator.
A. Evaporator
The flow of refrigerant through the evaporator may
create a boiling or gurgling sound.
B. Evaporator Fan
You may hear air being forced through the
refrigerator by the evaporator fan.
C. Defrost Heater
During defrost cycles, water dripping onto the
defrost heater may cause a hissing or sizzling sound.
After defrosting, a popping sound may occur.
IMPORTANT
During the automatic defrost cycle, you may notice a
red glow in the vents on the back wall of your freezer
compartment. This is normal during the defrost cycle.
D. Automatic Ice maker
If your refrigerator is equipped with an automatic ice
maker, you will hear ice cubes falling into the ice bin.
E. Cold Control & Defrost Timer or Automatic Defrost
Control
These parts can produce a snapping or clicking
sound when turning the refrigerator on and off. The
timer also produces sounds similar to an electric
clock.
F. Condenser Fan
If condenser coils are located underneath your
refrigerator as shown in the drawing at the left,
you have a condenser fan. You may hear air being
forced through the condenser by the condenser fan.
G. Compressor
Modern, high-efficiency compressors operate much
faster than older models. The compressor may have
a high-pitched hum or pulsating sound.
H. Water Valve
If your refrigerator is equipped with an automatic ice
maker, you will hear a buzzing sound as the water
valve opens to fill the Icemaker during each cycle.
I. Drain Pan (Nonremovable)
You may hear water running into the drain pan
during the defrost cycle. The drain pan will be
located on top of the compressor for air-cooled
condensers (black coils on back of refrigerator).
J. Condenser Coils (Fan-cooled models only)
You may hear air being forced through the
condenser coils.
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