[bnkeane]

I recently obtained a Whirlpool side by side refrigerator from a friend that has a bad start relay. I have ordered the part and am hoping to repair it tonight. However, the refrigerator has been stored in the garage for the past 4 days.

This normally wouldn't be a problem, but I live in Minnesota, and the temperature outside has been between -10 and +10 this past week. The garage is pretty well insulated but not heated and is probably close to if not below freezing.

Is it safe to try and repair the start relay with the fridge still outside? Would it work for me to put a heater in the garage an hour or so before I worked on it to get the temp above freezing and then tried to start it?

I don't want to ruin a seemingly good frige by freezing up the compressor or think something is still wrong when it is just that the compressor is too cold to run.

Thanks for the advice!

[kayakcrzy]

You should be fine. Think about all those coke machines sitting outside working in your kind of weather. If you need me you can reach me at my website at ApplianceEducator.com Tom

[denman]

I would wait for spring
There is a good chance the unit will not even start because the fridge compartment is too cold, so the thermostat will not activate.

Also your compressor has oil in it which at these temps will thicken so starting is harder and lubrication is poorer. May not kill it but won't do it any good.

Here is another opinion
Can I put a refrigerator in my garage

By the way it has been 30 below overnight here recently so 10 below sounds absolutely balmy, you lucky dog!