Such a shame or is that sham?

[CrealCritter]

Ok so our refrigerator went out. Symptom was is stopped cooling. Well we need a refrigerator so I went out right away and bought a new one. The kind delivery guys offered to take the old one away for free. I said no put it my shop I want to have a look at it and see if I can fix it. If I can't fix it then I'll take it to the scrap yard and get 10 to 15 dollars for it.

So today I plugged it in and it worked as normal (freezer & refrigerator both got cold). I'm scratching my head... So i.unplugged it took the back panel off and plugged it back in. Sure enough the compressor kicked in but the compressor fan that keeps the compressor cool was not running at all. So I unplugged the compressor fan and measured the voltage at the plug, yep it's getting 115 volts AC. Then I measured continuity across the coil of the compressor fan motor. No continuity, so the coil must have burned up in the fan motor.

I went out to Sears found the part number for the kenmore model of the refrigerator and the compressor fan motor part number. I looks at the price of the fan motor and about fell out of my chair.

Then I went out to fleabay, searched the part number and sorted on new and lowest price including shipping and this popped up.

Needless to say I don't need to tell you where I ordered the fan motor from.

This is the reason Sears is having such a hard time and is just about out of business. Plus, you still have to pay tax and shipping from Sears. I mean the price difference isn't even close at all. So I guess it's a shame! But also could be a sham! Whichever it is, momma didn't raise no fool.

Anyways, with the fan not spinning to cool the compressor, it tripped the overheated temperature sensor on the compressor and shut the unit down. Unplugging it and allowing the compressor to cool off reset the overheated temperature sensor, that's why it started running again when I hooked it up in the shop. The new fan motor should take all of about 15 minutes to replace and I'll have a working refrigerator/freezer again. Easy smeazy cheap fix. My wife got a new refrigerator for the kitchen, I get one for the shop

 

[baymule]

Sears has been on a downhill slide for years. Old, established companies never courted young people, who don't want to do business with stodgy companies that are not geared towards them. I resisted online shopping for a long time, preferring to actually set foot in a building. Am I ever glad that I got over that! I love doing just what you did, find what I want then go on a hunt for better price or quality. Young people grew up with hand held devices that tell them everything they want to know in a matter of a moment, like NOW. If a business cannot get with the times, it is going down.

 

[Britesea]

My washing machine stopped spinning a couple of days ago-- they tried to sell us a new machine, but hubby went inside and checked-- sure enough it's a broken belt (what I thought soon as I smelled the burning rubber)... a new belt cost $18.00... I knew there was a reason to keep him around, lol!

 

[CrealCritter]

My MotoX 2nd gen cell phone that I'm using right now needed a new battery. If you never worked on microelectronics well let's just say everything is tiny. I texted my favorite daughter-in-law who I've nick named Fav this.

I ordered the battery from eBay.

She took my cell phone apart put the new battery in (not an easy task) and fired it up everything works and I have a new battery

I love my Fav, she's so awesome. Plus she gave me two cute as a button grand daughters. She's a manager where the make electronics for several models and makes of new cars.

A new cell phone is EXPENSIVE... So this battery replacement was a big win!

+1 for Favorite daughter in laws!

 

[CrealCritter]

Isn't that the way it always goes...they don't figure anyone to fix their own. But, on the off chance that someone wants to (like you) they price the replacement part so high that you think you're better off just getting a new fridge. Sigh..

Enjoy your shop fridge!

I absolutely love fixing stuff like this and making new things out of wood. I don't know maybe I'm crazier than most people.

 

[CrealCritter]

Another example... Yesterday afternoon my wife pulls up in her Honda CR-V. I can't stand that tiny car it's so cramped, the roof is so low I have to lean the seat back so my head doesn't hit the roof when going over a bump. And the seats are totally uncomfortable and make my lower back hurts. But she likes it and it's her car so that's what matters. It's really good on gas mileage too.

But she came in and told me she's got some grinding noise when she brakes. I ask her if she's got good pedal on the brakes and she said yes. So I grabbed.my keys and took it up the road. Sure enough brake pad is rubbing on the driver's rear. No problem she needs new brake pads - cake walk... I've never put brakes on it, so the orginal pads are on it. I'll go ahead and put ceramic pads on it with front and rear.

I went out to see if our local auto parts store O'Reilly has ceramic brake pads for her CRV. Yes they do but look at the prices... Remember I have to drive into town (my time & gas), pay Dick Durban for the privilege of buying them (sales tax), then drive back home again (my time & gas).

Front pads

Rear Pads

Total = 54.99 + 58.99 + Dick Durban (sales tax) + my time and gas times two.

Fleabay 28.99 plus 0 to Dick Durban and free shipping.

Again... Duh, momma didn't raise no fool!

 

[moxies_chickennuggets]

I keep my own Kenmore washer repaired. 3 or 4 repairs, so far so good. That particular model in no longer being produced, and I dislike the new models that are available.

 

[baymule]

Handy AND handsome ain't too bad either......

 

[CrealCritter]

Cell phone chargers - Made in China crap, how to fix, easy smeazy!

Problem
After market cell phone chargers Made in China for Android make / models. The tiny little end that you stick into you phone works for a couple of weeks. Then it gets so loose you have to wiggle it in order for it to make the needed connection to charge the cell phone battery. Eventually it gets so bad you get mad and burn it or throw it in the trash and go and buy another Made in China peice of crap cell phone charger for Android. Well, i'm here to tell you don't get mad and don't waste your money - fix it instead.

Cause
The metal used to make the housing for the little tiny connector is so thin you can bend it with your finternail. Like most crap that comes from China, it's works for a little while then stops. This is usually do to shoty workmanship or the use of inferior materials.

Solution
Take a pair of pliers and gently squeeze the sides of the connect to bend the cheap inferior metal case back into place. As shown in the following picture. This requires a gentle hand since the metal is so thin, to much pressure and you'll crush the case. Keep your pliers handy because the above procedure will need to be repeated after about a dozen or so uses of your cheap made in China piece of crap Android cell phone charger.

Results
Now your cheap made in China piece of crap Android cell phone charger works again and stay tight in the phone jack plug. And you just saved yourself $8 to $10 which the cost of another new made in China piece of crap cell phone charger from CVS or Dollar General or Walmart or any other fine United States of America establishment that sells new after market made in China piece of crap Android cell phone chargers.

Remember...
1) If the ladies don't find you handsome, they should find you handy.

2) Made in China, Fixed by American!

 

[Lazy Gardener]

Sure enough brake pad is rubbing on the driver's rear.

I bet that hurt.