How to Replace a Refrigerator Start Relay — Step-by-Step Instructions
Unplug the fridge and wait 10 minutes. If your setup includes a separate run capacitor, treat it as charged — discharge it with an insulated-handle screwdriver across the terminals before touching. If that sentence gave you pause, this repair is pro territory.
Tools
- Screwdriver
- Needle-nose pliers
- Phone camera
Parts
- Start relay/overload (and run capacitor if your model pairs them) for your exact model
Step by step
-
1 Confirm the click
A warm fridge that clicks every 2–5 minutes from the lower back is the signature. Pull the fridge out and unplug it.
-
2 Open the rear lower panel
The compressor is the black dome; the relay is the small plastic box plugged onto its side pins, often under a wire bail or cover.
-
3 Pull and shake the old relay
Photo the wiring, unclip the cover, and pull the relay straight off the pins. Shake it: a rattle means burned internals — near-certain confirmation.
-
4 Plug on the new one
Push the new relay/overload onto the same pins, transfer wires per your photo, and refit any cover or bail.
-
5 Test with your ears
Plug in and listen: a soft hum that settles into a steady run — no clicking — means the compressor started. Give it 4–6 hours before judging temperatures.
If a new relay still clicks, the compressor itself is struggling — that’s sealed-system territory, EPA-certified work, and exactly the moment to stop DIYing and get a professional opinion on repair vs replace. If you'd rather skip it entirely, find a refrigerator repair pro near you →
Sources
Where the safety, regulatory and warranty claims on this page come from. Repair costs are our own figures based on Arizona market rates and OEM parts pricing.
- Stationary Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (Section 608) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Refrigerant handling rules and the certification required to open a sealed system.
- Section 608 Technician Certification U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Which certification type covers household refrigerators and freezers.
Step-by-step instructions for your exact model
The same repair, tailored with your machine's error codes, known quirks, and typical costs.
What this repair costs professionally
Find a refrigerator repair pro near you.
Browse verified independent appliance repair companies by city — ratings, hours, and phone numbers, no middleman.