Update: A customer in Omaha swore their fridge was haunted, turned out to be a $3 part

Got a call last Tuesday for a fridge making a weird groaning sound at 2 AM. Lady was convinced it was a ghost. I was ready for a loose compressor mount or a bad fan. Took the back panel off, everything looked fine. On a total whim, I checked the little rubber grommet where the defrost drain tube goes through the cabinet wall. It was completely hardened and cracked. The tube was vibrating against the hole. Replaced it with a part from my van, cost me maybe three bucks. Noise stopped dead. She offered me extra for the 'exorcism'. Ever had a fix that stupid simple after a customer's wild story?

2 comments

2 Comments

milacarr10d ago

That "total whim" check is the best feeling. I once spent an hour on a dishwasher that "sounded like it was chewing rocks," only to find a single LEGO piece jammed in the pump impeller. Felt like a genius and an idiot at the same time. The customer was just relieved it wasn't a new motor.

palmer.jana10d ago

My buddy who fixes computers had a guy bring in a laptop that would randomly type the letter 'E'. The customer was sure it was hacked. My friend spent twenty minutes on it before he noticed a single, old M&M was stuck under the keyboard right on that key. Popped it out, problem gone. The guy was so embarrassed he paid in cash and left really fast.