Appliance repair glossary

This glossary defines the parts and terms you may hear from an appliance technician or see on a repair estimate.

Bonita Appliance Repair has repaired appliances in San Diego County since 2012. If a term on your estimate is missing here, call 619-329-5938 and ask.

Control board

The circuit board that runs an appliance. It reads the buttons and sensors and tells the motor, valves, and heaters when to run. See Samsung washer control board.

Data plate

The label that lists the model number and the serial number. See how to find your appliance model number.

Diagnostic fee

The charge for a technician to find the cause of a problem. At Bonita Appliance Repair, the fee is typically $80 to $90, and we usually waive it if you approve the repair.

Model number

The code that identifies the design of an appliance. Technicians use it to find the correct parts and the service manual.

Serial number

The code that identifies your individual appliance. It often shows when the appliance was made.

Thermal fuse

A safety part that cuts power when a component overheats. A blown thermal fuse often points to an underlying heat problem.

Water inlet valve

An electric valve that opens to let water into a washer, dishwasher, ice maker, or water dispenser. See Maytag washer water inlet valve.

Compressor

The pump that circulates refrigerant through the sealed system.

Condenser coils

The coils that release heat from the refrigerant. Dirty coils make the refrigerator work harder. See how to clean condenser coils.

Condenser fan motor

The motor that moves air across the condenser coils and the compressor.

Defrost drain

The channel that carries melted frost from the evaporator to the drain pan. A clog can cause water inside the refrigerator. See Whirlpool refrigerator leaking water.

Defrost system

The heater, sensor, and timer or control board that melt frost from the evaporator coil.

Door gasket

The flexible seal around a door. A torn gasket lets warm air in.

Evaporator coil

The coil inside the unit that absorbs heat from the air.

Evaporator fan motor

The motor that moves cold air from the evaporator through the compartments.

Refrigerant

The fluid that absorbs heat inside the unit and releases it at the condenser.

Sealed system

The compressor, the coils, and the refrigerant lines that make up the cooling circuit.

Start relay

A switch that helps the compressor start.

Bearings and seals

The parts that let the washer drum spin smoothly and keep water away from the bearings. Worn bearings cause loud noise during the spin cycle.

Door boot

The rubber seal around the door opening of a front-load washer.

Drain pump

The pump that moves water out of a washer or dishwasher. See Samsung washer drain pump.

Drive belt

The belt that turns the drum or the agitator in many washers and dryers.

Dryer vent

The duct that carries hot, moist air and lint from the dryer outside. See 20 dryer safety tips.

Heating element

The coil that heats the air in an electric dryer.

Lint filter

The screen that catches lint before it reaches the vent. Clean it after every load.

Float switch

A switch that senses the water level and stops the fill.

Spray arm

The rotating arm that sprays water onto the dishes.

Wash pump

The pump that pushes water through the spray arms.

Bake element

The heating element at the bottom of an electric oven.

Broil element

The heating element at the top of an electric oven.

Convection fan

A fan that circulates hot air inside the oven.

Downdraft vent

A fan and vent in the cooktop that pull smoke and odors down instead of up. See how a Jenn-Air downdraft cooktop works.

Igniter

The part that lights the gas in a gas oven or a gas dryer. A weak igniter can fail to open the gas valve.

Oven temperature sensor

The probe that tells the control board how hot the oven is. See how to tell if your oven needs repair.

Spark module

The part that makes the spark that lights a gas cooktop burner.