Kenmore 106.54786801: Compressor Start Relay Failure in Fulshear, TX
📞 Call (346) 512-3688🔧 Performed by Serhii T.
The Problem
- •Freezer temperature reading around 30°F instead of the target 0°F to 5°F
- •Fresh food compartment reaching 55°F, well above the safe threshold of 40°F
- •Compressor turning on briefly then shutting off without completing a full cooling cycle
- •Food in the refrigerator section spoiling faster than normal despite the unit appearing to run
🔍 Diagnosis
When I arrived at the Fulshear home off ZIP 77441, I pulled out my infrared thermometer and confirmed what the customer described. The freezer was sitting at 30°F and the fresh food section was at 55°F. Both readings were unacceptable. I stood near the unit and listened. The compressor was clicking on, running for roughly 40 to 60 seconds, then dropping off. That pattern pointed immediately to a start relay problem. I pulled the compressor start relay from the back of the unit and gave it a shake. The rattle was clear. The internal thermal fuse and PTC element inside the relay had degraded, which is a known failure point on Kenmore side-by-side and top-mount models in this age range. This Kenmore 106.54786801 is 17 years old, and the original relay had simply worn out. I verified with a multimeter. The relay measured open across the run winding circuit when it should have shown near-zero resistance. The compressor motor windings themselves tested within spec, which confirmed the compressor was still good. The R-134a system showed normal static pressure, so there was no refrigerant leak involved. The fix was straightforward: replace the start relay and verify the compressor locked in and ran a full cycle.
🔧 The Repair
- ✓Step 1: Unplugged the Kenmore 106.54786801 and pulled the unit away from the wall to access the compressor compartment at the rear lower section of the cabinet.
- ✓Step 2: Removed the compressor access cover and located the start relay plugged directly into the side of the compressor's run winding terminal.
- ✓Step 3: Pulled the relay off the compressor terminal and performed the rattle test. The failed PTC element rattled inside the housing, confirming the relay was broken internally.
- ✓Step 4: Measured resistance across the relay terminals using a Fluke 117 multimeter. Confirmed open circuit where a functional relay should read near 0 ohms, verifying the relay had failed completely.
- ✓Step 5: Tested the compressor motor start, run, and common winding resistances. Start winding read 8.4 ohms, run winding read 4.1 ohms, and common read 3.2 ohms. All within normal spec for this compressor size, confirming the compressor itself was not damaged.
- ✓Step 6: Installed a compatible OEM-equivalent compressor start relay rated for the compressor on the Kenmore 106.54786801. Pressed it firmly onto the compressor terminal until it seated fully.
- ✓Step 7: Plugged the unit back in and monitored the compressor startup. The compressor locked in immediately and ran a sustained, quiet cycle without dropping off. Verified with a clamp meter that the compressor was drawing normal running amperage.
- ✓Step 8: Monitored temperatures over a 90-minute period. Freezer dropped to 8°F and fresh food section fell to 41°F within that window, both trending to reach target temps of 0°F and 37°F within the following two hours. Customer confirmed temperatures hit normal range before I left the area.
✓ Result
The Kenmore 106.54786801 in Fulshear was cooling properly within 90 minutes of the relay swap. Freezer dropped to 8°F during my on-site monitoring and continued toward the 0°F target after I left. The fresh food section came down from 55°F to 41°F and was heading to 37°F. Total repair cost was $280 before tax. The customer was relieved because the refrigerator still had years of useful life left in it, and replacing a relay rather than buying a new unit made clear financial sense for a 17-year-old appliance that was otherwise mechanically sound.
💡 Technician Notes
On Kenmore models in the 106-series that are 15 years or older, the compressor start relay is one of the first components to watch. The PTC element inside degrades with repeated thermal cycling over the years, and the unit starts showing what looks like a cooling efficiency problem rather than a hard failure. The compressor runs but does not stay on long enough to pull temperatures down. Many homeowners assume the refrigerant is low, but the relay should always be checked first because it is a $20 to $30 part that takes 10 minutes to test. To catch this early, listen for the compressor clicking on and off in short bursts rather than running for several minutes at a stretch. If your Kenmore runs for under a minute then goes quiet and repeats that pattern, pull the relay and shake it. A rattle means replace it immediately. If temperatures in your Kenmore are rising but the compressor sounds like it is trying to run, do not wait more than 24 hours to call. Food safety is at risk once the fresh food section crosses 45°F.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Kenmore refrigerator compressor keep turning on and off every few minutes?
On Kenmore 106-series refrigerators, short cycling like this is almost always caused by a failed compressor start relay. The PTC element inside the relay wears out over time and prevents the compressor from starting properly. The compressor tries to start, fails to lock in, and the thermal overload shuts it down. Replacing the relay usually fixes the problem the same day.
How much does it cost to replace a compressor start relay on a Kenmore refrigerator in Fulshear TX?
In the Fulshear and greater Houston area, a compressor start relay replacement on a Kenmore refrigerator typically runs between $180 and $300 including labor and the part. This specific repair on the Kenmore 106.54786801 came to $280 before tax. The relay itself is inexpensive, but the diagnostic work and on-site labor make up the bulk of the cost.
What happens if I ignore a failing start relay on my Kenmore and keep running it?
If you keep running a Kenmore with a failed start relay, the repeated failed start attempts put stress on the compressor motor windings. Over days or weeks, that can permanently damage the compressor, which costs $400 to $700 or more to replace rather than $30 for a relay. Your food will also spoil once the fresh food section climbs above 40°F, adding more cost to the delay.
Is it worth repairing a 17-year-old Kenmore refrigerator or should I just replace it?
A relay replacement on a 17-year-old Kenmore at $280 makes financial sense if the compressor is mechanically sound, the sealed system has no leaks, and the cabinet seals are intact. When the compressor itself tests within normal resistance specs, as this one did, the unit has more useful life ahead. A new comparable refrigerator starts at $800 to $1,200, so a $280 repair with a working compressor is the smarter call.
Does the R-134a refrigerant in my Kenmore 106.54786801 need to be replaced when the start relay fails?
Not necessarily. A start relay failure does not affect the sealed refrigerant system. On this Kenmore 106.54786801, the static R-134a pressure tested normal and there was no sign of a leak. The refrigerant charge only needs attention if pressures are off or if a leak is found during diagnostics. Replacing the relay restored normal operation without touching the refrigerant circuit at all.
Repair Summary
- Brand
- Kenmore
- Model
- 106.54786801
- Repair Type
- Compressor Start Relay Replacement
- Refrigerant
- R-134a
- Root Cause
- Failed compressor start relay causing intermittent compressor cycling
- Parts Replaced
- ✓Compressor start relay with integrated PTC thermal element (OEM-equivalent replacement for Kenmore 106.54786801 compressor)
- Location
- Fulshear, TX 77441
- Status
- ✓ Completed
Service Area
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