When your refrigerator isn’t working, it’s helpful to know the most common refrigerator replacement parts even if you don’t plan to do the repair yourself. Having a clear understanding of appliance parts will help you understand the diagnosis when the technician quotes you for the repair.

But before we tell you about appliance parts, check out this animated short that shows why you’d want to repair instead of replace!

Most people think that a refrigerator repair is going to cost an arm and a leg, but that’s not necessarily the case. Here are the most common refrigerator replacement parts that won’t break your bank:

4 Most Common Refrigerator Replacement Parts

• Thermistor

The thermistor monitors the refrigerator’s temperature, and then sends the temperature reading to the control board. If the thermistor fails, it can cause a number of problems. A failing thermistor is a common cause of your refrigerator not cooling or your refrigerator freezing food. When it’s not cooling properly, the compressor and evaporator fan may not be running as much as they should be. And vice versa when your refrigerator is freezing food (fans running too frequently). If the thermistor fails a multimeter test, it needs to be replaced.

• Condenser Fan Motor

The condenser fan motor is another possible reason why your refrigerator is not cooling. The purpose of this motor is to draw air though the condenser coils and over the compressor. It is essential in regulating refrigerator temperature. If it does not display continuity, it must be replaced. It’s also a possible cause of your refrigerator being noisy or loud. When you locate the condenser and find that it’s making unusual noises, look for debris caught in it’s blade. If no debris is causing it, it’s bearings likely need to be replaced.

• Evaporator Fan Motor

Another place to look when your refrigerator is not cooling is the evaporator fan motor. This motor plays a key role in circulating air throughout the refrigerator. A sign that the problem might be the evaporator fan motor is when your freezer is still getting cold while your refrigerator isn’t cooling. Like the condenser fan motor, this could be the cause of your refrigerator being loud. This is especially that case if you notice that the noise is louder when the refrigerator door is open. If your refrigerator is displaying any of these symptoms, its evaporator fan motor windings need to be checked for continuity.

• Water Inlet Valve

The water inlet valve regulates the supply of water to the refrigerator dispenser and ice maker. Therefore if it’s malfunctioning, it can cause a variety of issues. For instance, if your refrigerator is leaking water, the water inlet valve could have a crack or is not tightly secured to the water supply line. Or when your refrigerator dispenser isn’t working, mineral deposits in the valve might be the culprit. These mineral deposits can also be the cause of your refrigerator making noises. The water inlet valve is not a part that can be repaired, making it one of the most common refrigerator replacement parts.

Not-As-Common Refrigerator Replacement Parts

Issues you’re having with your refrigerator (such as refrigerator not cooling) are often misdiagnosed as problems with the compressor or main control board. These are not as common refrigerator replacement parts, as they are not usually the root cause of refrigerator problems. You may save yourself a significant amount of money by examining the most common replacement parts first.