How to Replace the Start Relay on a Kenmore Elite 74025 Refrigerator — Step-by-Step Instructions
Step-by-step instructions for the Kenmore Elite 74025 (french-door refrigerator (lg-built)). Parts and access points can differ slightly by production year — the steps below cover the common layout for this platform, and the model notes flag its quirks.
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Kenmore Elite 74025 notes & error codes
Sears sold it, LG built it: for compressor claims, the 10-year linear compressor part warranty and the class-action settlement terms both apply to LG-built Kenmores. Bring the serial number to LG customer service before accepting any full-price sealed-system quote.
| Code | What it means |
|---|---|
| Er FF / IF / CF | Fan errors (evap / ice / condenser) |
| Er dH | Defrost heater error |
| Er CO | Communication error |
Full details for this machine — common problems, causes, and costs — are in the Kenmore Elite 74025 repair guide. The general version of these instructions is here.
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 →
What this repair costs professionally
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.
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