First visit: the failed start relay and overload, found and removed
Last updated:
Case Study · Everett, WA
The freezer wouldn't cool. The compressor kept cutting out.
A Sub-Zero built-in freezer on a yacht docked in Everett had stopped holding temperature — the compressor kept switching on and off instead of running a full cycle. Here's what we found across two visits, and how we fixed it, with real photos from the job.
- Location: Everett, WA — dockside on a yacht
- Sub-Zero Model 249FF built-in freezer
- Symptom: not cooling, compressor cycling on and off
- Cause: failed compressor start relay & overload
- Diagnosed & repaired by Max, EPA Section 608 certified
Licensed & Insured
1-Year Warranty
Owner-Operated
What happened
From short-cycling to fixed
The complaint
This Sub-Zero Model 249FF built-in freezer, installed in the galley of a yacht docked in Everett, had stopped holding temperature. Instead of running a normal cooling cycle, the compressor kept switching on and off every few seconds.
The diagnosis
On the first visit we confirmed the short-cycling and traced it to the start relay and overload protector clipped to the compressor's terminals — the component that lets the compressor start and shuts it down if it draws too much current. It had failed, tripping the compressor before it could run long enough to pull the freezer down to temperature.
The fix
We returned with a new relay-overload assembly, replaced it on the compressor, reconnected the wiring, and ran the unit through a full cycle to confirm it reached and held temperature before closing everything back up.
Real photos
This job, start to finish
Back with the new part: pulled from the cabinetry for full access
Compressor terminal exposed, ready for the new relay-overload
Back in service and holding temperature
Why choose us
Why boat owners and homeowners call Ace Appliance Service for Sub-Zero repair
Real diagnosis, not a guess
We tested the actual failing component instead of assuming the compressor itself needed replacing, like tracing this freezer's short-cycling to one specific relay-overload part.
Licensed & insured in Washington
WA Contractor #ACEAPAS774K6. On boats and in homes alike, we work carefully around finished cabinetry and tight spaces.
Genuine parts, 1-year warranty
This repair, like every Sub-Zero repair we do, used a genuine replacement part and is backed by a full year on parts and labor.
Questions
Sub-Zero & freezer repair FAQ
Do you repair Sub-Zero refrigerators and freezers?
Yes, including this freezer on a yacht in Everett. Ace Appliance Service repairs built-in Sub-Zero refrigerators, freezers, and wine storage, using genuine replacement parts.
How much does a compressor relay or overload replacement cost?
It depends on the model and what's actually failed. We diagnose the exact cause on-site first, then give a clear price before any repair begins.
Do you work on boats and yachts?
Yes — this case study is from a yacht docked in Everett. We service built-in refrigeration on boats the same way we do in a home, working carefully in tighter built-in cabinetry.
Do you offer same-day freezer repair?
Often, yes. A freezer that won't hold temperature is usually urgent, so a lot of calls get scheduled same-day or next-day.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes, Ace Appliance Service LLC is licensed and insured to work in Washington State. WA contractor license #ACEAPAS774K6.
What areas do you serve?
King and Snohomish County, including Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Bothell, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Everett, Mukilteo, Mill Creek, Snohomish, Kenmore, Woodinville, Mountlake Terrace, Lake Forest Park, Shoreline, Redmond, Issaquah, Sammamish, Mercer Island, Clyde Hill, and Medina.
Common Sub-Zero freezer problems
Freezer won't cool but power is on?
That's often exactly what this case study shows: the freezer looks normal and the light comes on, but the compressor cycles on and off from a failed start relay or overload instead of completing a full cooling cycle. It can also point to a sealed system issue, which is why we test the actual components rather than guessing.
Compressor turns on and off repeatedly (short-cycling)?
Short-cycling usually means the compressor is starting but tripping before it should — often the start relay or overload, like this yacht freezer, though it can also point to a refrigerant or electrical issue. We test to confirm which before recommending a repair.
Is a compressor relay or overload a common repair?
It's a smaller, less expensive part than the compressor itself, and when it fails, replacement is the fix. It's one of the first things we test on a freezer that won't cool or that's short-cycling, before assuming the compressor is bad.
Ready when you are
Freezer won't cool? Let's find out why.
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