Refrigerator "coughs"

[gsdozal]

My frige makes a loud "coughing" noise several times a day. Its about 5 years old, GE Profile Arctica.

[DIY Guy]

Maybe its got a "Cold"

Sorry.

I assume this is a new sound. Did you ever hear before and now it just louder?

Is the sound metallic at all?

Sounds can be tricky. Can you identify where abouts on the fridge the sound is coming from?

[gsdozal]

Dear DIY Guy. Thank you for your reply. To answer your Q, it's a new sound. Upon further evaluation on my part, this loud sound is only at the end of the cooling phase on the cycle. A few post above mine, "GE fridge noise," has the same problem. "richapplyguy" suggests that it is a broken compressor spring. Before I open thing up I would like to have your further imput. You asked where in the fridge the sound comes from. I think I hear it in the lower section, perhaps on its left side.
Thanks for your input.

[DIY Guy]

It does sound like the compressor may be dropping back into position when the torque from operation stops. People usually describe the sound as a clunk, but a cough might describe it.

You don't want to open this up to try and fix this. You can just let it go on like this with no problem.