thermocouple on a fridge

[mopinko]

so, my fridge is running w/o stop. everything is frozen.
it has been kinda hinky for a while, running very cold while set on 2.

so i got a replacement for the thermostat. but it didnt include the thermocouple. i did put the old one on the new stat, but still no go.

i vaguely understand the concept of a thermocouple, but mostly what i know is that when they go bad, you replace them.
so, my immediate question, while i wait for an answer from parts town, is-
are they repairable when they fail? is it corrosion that can be cleaned up, or (i think this is what happens) the bimetal connection fails and it is dead.
is the thermocouple for a fridge the same as one for an oven/furnace?

imma hit my fave hardware store and see if they carry one. they have a ton of such parts.
but any info is welcome, even just to shore up my knowledge of how this stuff works.

i hate when you spend $100 for a part that should cost $10 max and it still isnt fixed. grrrr.

[Canoe52]

1. Try this article

It seemed to have your answers

https://www.hunker.com/12610390/how-to-test-a-thermocouple-on-a-gas-refrigerator

Good luck!

[mopinko]

2. well, i will do the test, but it isnt a gas fridge.

i didnt even know fridges had them. this is a restaurant fridge, so maybe it is an oddity.

helpful info, tho. i have replaced many a thermocouple in my day, but never tested them, just assumed.

[Canoe52]

3. Oops wrong assumption, it could be many things

Could be compressor, relay switches...especially on a commercial unit, my dad was a refrigeration repair guy, i used to go on service calls with him when I was a kid.

[mopinko]

4. well compressor is clearly working, but

yeah, could be a relay.
at least it is cold. i am just pulling the plug for part of the time.

[Canoe52]

5. Saw plenty of compressors that were running but still broken.

Freon from those compressors had a burnt smell and look. This was back before you couldn’t release Freon to the air.
Dad used to carry a extra container of Freon in his truck to spray in the distributor cap to dry it out so it would start on a cold winter day.