Refrigeration Diagnostics

Condition Possible Cause Remedy
Load temperature too high - unit not cooling. Compressor does not operate. Refer to (Mechanical Diagnostics).
Controller setpoint too high. Adjust controller setpoint.
Defective container insulation or poor fitting doors. Repair container.
Shortage of refrigerant. Repair leak and recharge.
Overcharge of refrigerant. Purge system.
Air in refrigeration system. Evacuate and recharge.
Vapor injection valve open. Check vapor injection valve circuit and compressor discharge temperature sensor.
Too much compressor oil in system. Remove compressor oil from compressor.
Iced or dirty evaporator coil. Defrost or clean evaporator coil.
Restricted lines on high side. Clear restriction.
Plugged filter drier/in-line filter. Change filter drier.
Compressor Digital Control Valve defective. Replace defective valve.
Condenser coil dirty or airflow restricted. Clean condenser coil, clear restriction, or repair or replace fan motor or condenser fan blade.
No water flow to water-cooled condenser. Restore water flow to water-cooled condenser-receiver tank.
Defective water pressure switch (Option). Replace switch.
Expansion valve open too much. Adjust or replace valve.
Expansion valve power element lost its charge. Replace power element.
Expansion valve feeler bulb improperly mounted, poorly insulated or making poor contact. Correct feeler bulb installation.
Head pressure too low.
Note This unit has a digital capacity control system. Suction and discharge pressures may drop below expected normal readings when the unit is in Modulation Cool (control temperature within 10 C (18 F) of setpoint or in Power Limit mode).
Shortage of refrigerant. Repair leak and recharge.
Low ambient air temperature. No remedy.
Service gauge out of calibration. Replace gauge.
Head pressure too high. Refrigerant overcharge. Purge system.
Air in refrigeration system. Evacuate and recharge.
Dirty or restricted condenser coil. Clean condenser coil.
Condenser fan not operating. Refer to “Condenser Fan Motor Does Not Operate” (Mechanical Diagnostics).
Condenser fan grille damaged or missing. Repair or replace grille.
Condenser fan blade damaged. Replace fan blade.
High ambient air temperature. No remedy.
Restricted dehydrator or high side. Replace filter drier or clear restriction.
Defective service gauge. Replace gauge.
Compressor loses oil. Refrigerant leak. Repair leak and recharge.
Compressor oil migrates to system. Short cycling. Refer to "Unit Short Cycles" (Mechanical Diagnostics).
Rapid cycling between Cool, Null, and Heat modes. Air short cycling through evaporator. Check and correct cargo load.
Defective controller. Diagnose the controller. Replace defective component.
Short cycling. Refer to “Unit Short Cycles” (Mechanical Diagnostics).
Compressor Digital Control valve stuck close or defective. Replace valve.
Hot liquid line. Shortage of refrigerant. Repair or recharge.
Expansion valve open too wide. Adjust or replace expansion valve.
Frosted liquid line. Liquid line restricted. Remove restriction.
Restricted filter drier. Replace filter drier.
Frosted or sweating suction line. Expansion valve admitting excess refrigerant. Check feeler bulb and adjust expansion valve.
Evaporator coil needs defrosting. Check defrost circuit including controller and evaporator coil sensor.
Evaporator fan does not operate. Refer to “Evaporator Fan Motor Does Not Operate” (Mechanical Diagnostics).
Unit in vacuum - frost on expansion valve only. Ice plugging expansion valve screen or orifice. Apply hot wet cloth to expansion valve. Moisture indicated by increase in suction pressure. Replace filter drier.
High suction pressure. Overcharge of refrigerant. Purge system.
Expansion valve open too much. Adjust or replace valve.
Defective controller. Diagnose the controller. Replace defective component.
Service gauge out of calibration. Adjust or replace service gauge.
Low suction pressure.
Note This unit has a digital capacity control system. Suction and discharge pressures may drop below expected normal readings when the unit is in Modulation Cool (control temperature within 10 C (18 F) of setpoint or in Power Limit mode).
Shortage of refrigerant. Repair leak and recharge.
Low ambient air temperature. No remedy.
Iced or dirty evaporator coil. Defrost or clean evaporator coil.
Restricted lines. Locate and clear restriction.
Plugged filter drier. Replace filter drier.
Expansion valve closed too much. Adjust or replace valve.
Expansion valve feeler bulb improperly mounted, poorly insulated or making poor contact. Correct feeler bulb installation.
Evaporator fans off. Check evaporator fan motors and control circuit and correct fault.
Defective controller. Diagnose the controller. Replace defective component.
Service gauge out of calibration. Adjust or replace gauge.