When a residential refrigerator compressor repeatedly clicks on and off or emits a repetitive clicking sound every few minutes without successfully starting up, it is almost always caused by a failing start relay, a bad overload protector, or a locked compressor motor. The clicking sound is generated when the electrical start relay attempts to send power to the compressor motor winding, but because the motor is thermally overloaded, locked mechanically, or receiving insufficient voltage, it fails to start, causing the internal safety overload switch to trip and click open. You can troubleshoot electrical components by unplugging the fridge and inspecting the relay module attached to the compressor side. You can verify that your corrective action is successful when replacing a burnt-out start relay or clearing thermal overloads allows the compressor to engage and run smoothly.
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