What's Wrong with my mini fridge?

[DanB7290]

Hi all, I have a mini fridge which I've had for just under 2 years, was great in halls as I had somewhere to stop my beer being liberated, and its pretty useful on those long car journies. However recently it's stopped working. Doesn't keep things cool, and it also has a heating function, and that's stopped working as well, doesn't matter if its plugged into the mains or into the car. However it has a blue light which still works, and all the lights which usually say its working are all still going. More specifically it's this model http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/2...

Any ideas what I should be looking for when I take it apart? No qualms about voiding guarantees/warranty as it's 2 years old, plus I don't have the receipts etc

[AlVal]

I've heard tales of unscrupulous people solving such matters by buying the same model new, swapping whatever part of the case contains the serial numbers, and returning the item as faulty.

I wouldnt reccommend you try any such fraudulent activity, but rather spend the time fixing it. probably a crack or break in the seal. a lot of various types of fridges accumulate dust etc on their radiator grilles at the back, and performance can be restored by brushing off/hoovering this radiator - not sure if yours has such a thing

[DanB7290]

AlVal said:

I've heard tales of unscrupulous people solving such matters by buying the same model new, swapping whatever part of the case contains the serial numbers, and returning the item as faulty.

I wouldnt reccommend you try any such fraudulent activity, but rather spend the time fixing it. probably a crack or break in the seal. a lot of various types of fridges accumulate dust etc on their radiator grilles at the back, and performance can be restored by brushing off/hoovering this radiator - not sure if yours has such a thing

Nah I'm not that dishonest. Hmm there is a fan at the back with a grille over it, I'll have a look and see what I can do. Will try and post pics if I can get phone camera working properly again

[FlossyThePig]

These little fridges are cooled using the peltier affect. Passing a DC current through a sheet of semiconductor material will cause one side to get cold and the other to get hot.

I have one built into the lid of a cheap coolbox. It stopped working when I dropped the lid. When I stripped it down I found one of the connectors had snapped off the panel. Replacements can be found on the internet if you want to have a go yourself.

[mattcov]

Cant help, but Lidl have an esky style one for £34.99 from today with a 3 yr guarantee. In car + mains supply.