Liebherr Freezer Model GS1583 (same as Miele model F 3410S-6)
FAULT: Often colder than -18degC with pump running continuously. Pump could be stopped by gentle knock on top of case just above control panel.
At first suspected bad soldered joint but after re-soldering 3 suspect joints there was no difference.
After reading this forum (MANY THANKS to everyone on the forum page before me – you pointed me in the right direction) I measured voltage across relay coil which was 11.6V – this was not enough to pull in relay armature but by knocking as above it did pull in and the pump switched off. The thermistor and temperature comparison circuitry was obviously working as the relay armature came out when the temperature had warmed up enough and pump restarted. Also traced out most of circuit on relay board and the 0.47uF is acting as a capacitive voltage dropper – rather in the manner of a series dropper resistor but without the resultant waste heat. If it loses capacitance then it's capacitive reactance increases and hence more voltage will be dropped across it resulting in less across the relay. This would appear to have happened in this case.
Replaced 100uF 50V with 100uF 63V 105deg but no change.
Replaced 0.47uF 275Vac X2 with same type of capacitor. FAULT NOW CURED.
Out of interest I tested the 2 capacitors which I had removed using a home built 1000ohm/V test meter on ohms range. Observed charging 'kick' of needle compared with that using new capacitor of same size. The old 100uF was identical in this crude test when compared with the new one.
However the old 0.47uF appeared to have less capacitance than a new specimen of the same type.
Finally the following voltages were measured which may be helpful when fault-finding.
With FAULT REPAIRED :-
Volts across 100uF - Pump on 16.6V Pump off 41.1V
Volts across relay - Pump on 0.16V Pump off 25.5V
When fault was present there was never more than 19.2V across 100uF nor was there more than 11.6V across relay coil.
Convenient measuring points are :-
Relay coil across glass diode near front of board adjacent to transistor and 0.47uF.
Voltage across 100uF - measure across 4 x 1N4000 bridge output.
NB. THIS CIRCUIT IS AT MAINS VOLTAGE - BE VERY CAREFUL - ALSO DO NOT USE EARTHED TEST EQUIPMENT.
Parts were ordered from
www.esr.co.uk
I hope that this info is of help to someone.