Refrigerator Start Relay Replacement Cost
Click… (pause) … click… from the back of a fridge that isn’t cooling, the sound of a compressor trying to start every few minutes and giving up. The start relay/overload (a small plug on module on the compressor’s side) is the most rewarding cheap fix in refrigeration.
Refrigerator Start Relay Replacement Cost runs $100 to $200 for a pro repair in Arizona, parts and labor included.
- Parts $15 to $50, labor $80 to $160, about 20 to 45 minutes on site.
- Priciest fix is the relay/overload failed, up to $200.
- 2 of 3 common causes are DIY friendly. Difficulty is easy.
- Always try the relay first, it’s the cheapest possible answer to a warm fridge and takes minutes.
Averages for independent repair companies. The service call fee of $75 to $150 is usually applied toward the repair. Costs vary by brand, model, and city.
What causes it, and what each fix costs
Relay/overload failed
The module burns or rattles (shake it, a rattle is a confession). New part plugs straight on.
Run capacitor failed (where fitted)
Same symptoms on capacitor start designs. Usually replaced together.
Compressor actually seized
The heartbreaker. Identical clicking. If a new relay doesn’t start it, you’ve spent $30 to learn the truth, still the right order of operations.
Repair or replace?
Always try the relay first, it’s the cheapest possible answer to a warm fridge and takes minutes. If the compressor is truly gone, see the compressor guide for the real decision.
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.
We'll quote you on hauling it away, or buying it.
Not every refrigerator is worth repairing, and we'd rather tell you that than sell you a repair. If you're replacing it, we'll give you a free quote either way. Scrap pickup for a machine that's finished, or a cash offer if it still has life in it. Working units, recent models and premium brands are often worth real money.
Quick Questions
Is the clicking dangerous?
Each click is the overload protecting the compressor from a stalled start, safe short term, but every attempt heats the windings. Fix it within days, not months.
Model specific guides for this problem
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