Troubleshooting and Repairing Major Appliances

In 2009, my granddaughter, Simone was born. At the age of one she was playing with her kitchen appliance toys and wondering how they work. One day in the not-too-distant future, Simone will open this book, just like her mother did, to repair her own real appliances. The future will have more advanced and efficient appliances and air conditioners. Some examples of newer products on the market today are condenser dryers, refrigerated ovens, and hybrid electric heat pump water heaters. In the not-too-distant future, we will see more smart appliances and air conditioners that can be managed and monitored from long distances. Trained service technicians will be able to troubleshoot mechanical issues over the phone and through computers, limiting service calls and in-home visits. Maybe in the future appliance and air conditioner manufacturers will come out with appliances and air conditioners that operate on a different type of fuel other than electricity, solar, or gas. The future has endless possibilities for service technicians in the major appliance and air conditioner field.

The principles and basics will never change; only the appliance products will change for the better. New products, energy conservation, and electronics have made the industry what it is today, and it will make it even better for my granddaughter’s generation. All that’s needed is the ability to think clearly, use hand tools, and use test meters.

I can only expose you to the knowledge that’s needed for preventative, diagnostic, and service techniques in the major appliance and air conditioner industry. This will help you evaluate these products and services. If you are a homeowner, this book can help you decide if it’s a problem you can fix yourself or if it’s one that’s best left for the experts. For the beginning technician, what you learn from this book will give you the keys for a rewarding service career. And for the experienced professional, this book will serve as a good resource and refresher on the latest techniques and technologies.

As a novice servicer, you may have to look up terms in the glossary or consult the component descriptions and diagnostic charts. However, you’ll be amply rewarded for this effort when a major appliance or air conditioner is fixed for the first time. This book will also be informative and useful for the experienced servicer and repair technician.

This third edition is composed of six parts: general, types of fuels, electrical theory, refrigeration theory, parts, and specific information. Part I, “The Fundamentals of Service,” identifies the problems of selecting, purchasing, and installing new major appliances and air conditioners. Also included is information on manufacturer warranties, use and care manuals, and where consumers can get help if needed.

Chapters 2 through 5 map out a complete guide for repairing major appliances and air conditioners. We’ll discuss the safety precautions for installation, operation, and repair of major appliances and air conditioners, as well as the right tools needed for the job and the basic approach before beginning to repair these products. Included is a new chapter for those individuals who want to enter the service field.

Part II, “Electricity, Electronics, and Gas,” covers everything you ever needed to know about electricity, gas, and electronics in major appliances and air conditioners. I will teach you how to use test meters, read circuit diagrams, test electronic parts, gas appliance venting, and much more.

In Chapters 10, 11, and 12, we’ll focus on the description, operation, and locations of the parts in today’s major appliances and air conditioners. Chapter 13 will focus on the fault and error codes of today’s modern electronic appliances and air conditioners.

In Part IV, “Parts,” we’ll explore in depth the different types of appliances and air conditioners you’ll be expected to fix. Chapters 14 through 30 cover domestic dishwashers, garbage disposals, electric and gas water heaters, automatic washers, automatic electric and gas dryers, electric and gas ranges/ovens, microwave ovens, refrigerators, freezers, automatic ice makers, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers. We’ll go over step-by-step procedures for testing and replacing parts, chart troubleshooting, preventative maintenance procedures, and appliance and air conditioner installation procedures.

To present a broad overview of service techniques, I’ve provided general troubleshooting information about the various types of major home appliances and air conditioners, rather than specific models that may become outdated. The pictures and illustrations are for demonstration purposes only to clarify the description of how to service them; they do not reflect a particular product’s reliability.

Troubleshooting and Repairing Major Appliances aims to provide you with a basic understanding of the operation and common problems of major appliances and air conditioners as you become your own technician. Soon, you’ll have the know-how to fix practically any appliance in the home that breaks down.