Replacing the compressor start relay on your Kenmore Elite chest freezer
- Unplug the freezer or shut off the circuit breaker for the freezer to disconnect electrical power.
- Pull the control knob straight off of the cold control thermostat. Remove the screws securing the compressor grille cover to the freezer cabinet. Hinge the grille cover down to access the back of the cold control thermostat. Squeeze together the 2 locking tabs that secure the cold control thermostat to the compressor grille cover and release the cold control thermostat from the grille.
- Squeeze the wire harness plug to release the locking tabs and remove the wire harness from the compressor start relay.
- Release the wire retainer from the compressor start relay. Grasp the compressor start relay firmly and pull it out of the connection terminals on the compressor.
- Position the new compressor start relay next to the compressor and line up the terminal prong connections. Push the compressor start relay onto the compressor terminal prongs. Reinstall the wire retainer on the start relay.
- Push the wire harness plug into the start relay. Make sure that the locking tabs snap into place.
- Position the cold control thermostat on the compressor grille cover and push it into the grille cover. Make sure that the locking tabs on the cold control thermostat snap into place on the grille cover. Position the control knob on the front of the cold control thermostat and push the control knob down on the stem of the cold control thermostat. Position the compressor grille cover properly on the freezer cabinet and secure it using the mounting screws.
- Plug in the freezer or turn on the house circuit breaker to restore electrical power.
Troubleshooting your Kenmore Elite chest freezer when interior lights don't work
If your interior lights don't turn on when you open the freezer lid and you already replaced the light bulb, then the lid switch may have failed. Unplug the freezer and test the lid switch with a multimeter. Replace the lid switch if it failed.
Some chest freezers use LED's to light the interior compartment. If an LED light board doesn't light up when activated, replace the light board.
Faulty lighting system wiring also prevents interior lights from working. Replace or repair any damaged wiring in the lighting system.