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HomeRepair HelpCaloric Refrigerator RepairCaloric Refrigerator has a bad smell or burning smell Repair
Caloric Refrigerator has a bad smell or burning smell
If your Caloric refrigerator has a bad or burning smell, start where most problems show up: check the interior light to make sure it is off when the door is closed, since an incandescent bulb left on can get hot and smell scorched. If the odor is coming from the compressor area, the start relay or start relay and overload kit often fails and will smell burned when the compressor is trying to start but cannot. Next, inspect the power cord and wall receptacle for burn marks or a loose connection; a hot plug is a common cause and a safety hazard. If the smell seems to come from the back or bottom of the cabinet, look at the condenser fan motor for overheating or worn bearings and test it with a multimeter. Check wiring and connectors for pinched or shorted insulation, and if no obvious source appears consider the control board or a stuck fan motor. These failures can also leave your refrigerator not cooling or fridge not cooling. Enter your model number at RepairClinic.com to find the exact replacement part and repair instructions for your model.
01 - Caloric 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 - Caloric 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 - Caloric 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 - Caloric 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 - Caloric 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 - Caloric 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 not cooling: Could a burning smell mean the compressor or start relay has failed?
Refrigerator light not working: Can the interior light make my fridge smell like it's burning?
Refrigerator control panel not working: Could a bad control board cause a burning odor?
Refrigerator runs constantly: I smell burning while the fridge runs all the time, what should I check?
How do I enter my model number or part number on RepairClinic.com to find the correct replacement part?
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