Resolve refrigerator woodpecker noise - brittag/maintenance GitHub Wiki

Aspect	Info
Context	Residence
Date started	2024-06
Date finished	2024-06
Status	Complete
Summary of outcome	Success

Background

Refrigerator is an LG LRDCS2603S purchased in 2020. It has a 5 year warranty for some components, and a limited warranty for up to 10 years.

Problem

The fridge was not staying properly cool, and after a few days it stopped cooling at all, but the lights still came on inside. It occasionally made a tap-tap-tap-tap-tap noise that sounded a bit like a woodpecker. Based on the sound and behavior, we suspected a problem with the compressor.

Approach

Tried the troubleshooting recommendations in the manual, but they did not help.

A couple years ago this fridge stopped working because a fuse busted in the control board, and after replacing that part, the fridge was plugged into a special surge protector for refrigerators ($19) to prevent that from happening again. Opened the panel on the back of the refrigerator to check for similar issues, but the control board looked healthy and normal.

Went to LG's website, created an account, and followed the instructions to start a repair request.

They asked if we'd done the basic troubleshooting steps from the manual (yes). After they accepted the repair request under the warranty, they sent the request to a local business to schedule and complete the work. The local business also wanted to know if we'd done the basic troubleshooting steps (yes).

Various parts of this process required a photo of the label inside the fridge and a copy of the proof of purchase (PDF of email receipt).

Outcome

Technician diagnosed a high side restriction and fixed it. No cost due to fridge being under warranty. Technician said he sees this problem fairly often with this model.

Next steps

Woodpecker noise came back a few months later during particularly hot weather, but it went away on its own. Keeping an eye on it. See also: Maintain safe refrigerator temperature.