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HomeRepair HelpIkea Refrigerator RepairIkea Refrigerator has a bad smell or burning smell Repair
Ikea Refrigerator has a bad smell or burning smell
A burning or musty smell from an Ikea refrigerator usually has a handful of likely causes you can check yourself. First, make sure the interior light is not staying on; an incandescent bulb can get hot and produce a burning odor if it stays energized with the door closed. Next, sniff around the compressor area—if the compressor start device or start relay is failing the compressor may try to start and overheat, which can create a burned-electrical smell and leave your fridge not cooling. Inspect the power cord and outlet for burn marks or a loose connection, since a hot cord is a common source of burning smells. If the scent seems to come from the back or bottom of the cabinet, check the condenser fan motor for overheating or damaged wiring and test it for continuity. Also look for pinched, shorted, or melted wire connectors and signs of a failing control board or a stuck fan motor. Enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact replacement start relay, bulb, fan motor, cord, wiring, or control board for your refrigerator.
01 - Ikea Refrigerator Light Bulb
Make sure the light is not staying on when the door is closed. A regular incandescent bulb can get hot and produce a burning smell.
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Top Solution
02 - Ikea Refrigerator Compressor
The compressor start device, also known as a start relay or start relay and overload kit, may have failed. This will usually cause the compressor to not start. If the burning smell is coming from the compresser area check the start device. If the start device smells burnt, or the compressor is trying to start but can't, the start device is likely bad and will need to be replaced.
Highly Likely
03 - Ikea Refrigerator Power Cord
Inspect the power cord prongs and wall receptacle for burn marks. The cord should plug tightly into the receptacle. A power cord that is hot is a sign of a bad connection. If the power cord is burnt or damaged it will need to be replaced. If the cord is loose in the receptacle, the receptacle will need to be replaced by a licensed electrician.
Common
04 - Ikea Refrigerator Condenser Fan Motor
If the burning smell appears to be coming from the exterior of the refrigerator, it's possible the condenser fan motor is wearing out or overheating. You should inspect the component for any burn marks, especially near the wire connection points, and use a multimeter to test the motor for electrical continuity to help determine if the component has burned out.
Less Common
05 - Ikea Refrigerator Wire Connector
Inspect the wiring and connectors in the area of the smell. A bad connection or pinched or shorted wire can produce a burning smell.
Less Common
06 - Ikea Refrigerator Control Board
If one of the components has failed it can produce a burning smell from that area. Look for a stuck fan motor or a shorted control board.
Less Common
Frequently Asked Questions
Refrigerator light not working: Could a stuck or hot bulb cause a burning smell?
Refrigerator not cooling: Can a bad compressor start relay or overload cause a burning smell and cooling failure?
Refrigerator noisy or loud: Could a failing condenser fan motor create a burning smell?
Refrigerator control panel not working: Could a shorted control board or bad wiring produce a burning smell?
How do I enter my model number or part number on RepairClinic.com to find the correct replacement part?
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