How to replace the evaporator fan motor in a top-freezer refrigerator

This DIY repair guide gives detailed instructions for replacing the evaporator fan motor in a top-freezer refrigerator. The evaporator motor blows air across the evaporator coils and through the refrigerator cabinet for cooling. The refrigerator compartment won't cool well if the evaporator fan motor fails. Replace the evaporator fan motor with a manufacturer-approved replacement part if the fan motor doesn't run when activated.

This basic repair procedure works for some Kenmore, Frigidaire, Electrolux, Whirlpool, Maytag, Amana, GE, Samsung, LG, Gibson, Crosley and Haier refrigerators.

Instructions

1. Shut off the power

Move your frozen food from the freezer to the refrigerator section during this repair.

Remove the freezer shelf.

Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.

2. Remove the freezer shelf

Remove the spacer in the freezer shelf.

Push the shelf to the left to release the right side of the shelf from the holes.

Pull the shelf out of the freezer.

3. Remove the evaporator cover

Remove the mounting screws from the evaporator cover.

Pull the top of the evaporator cover down and unplug the evaporator fan wire harness.

Push the evaporator cover to the left side of the freezer and disconnect the green ground wire and the ice maker wire harness from the evaporator cover.

Pull the evaporator cover out of the freezer and lay it on a work surface.

4. Remove the evaporator fan cover

Remove the metal locking rings from the two upper tabs on the back of the fan cover.

Push the evaporator fan cover up and disengage the 4 locking tabs.

Remove the evaporator fan cover.

5. Remove the evaporator fan motor

Pull the fan blade off the motor shaft.

Lift the 2 locking tabs on the fan motor retainer.

Rotate the motor retainer counter-clockwise pull it off.

Lift the motor out of the mounting bracket.

6. Install the new evaporator fan motor

Place the new fan motor in the mounting bracket.

Reinstall the motor retainer and rotate it clockwise, engaging the two locking tabs in the mounting bracket.

Reinstall the fan blade on the motor shaft.

7. Reinstall the evaporator fan cover

Position the evaporator fan cover on the front of the evaporator cover and push the 4 tabs through the rectangular slots.

Push the evaporator fan cover down into position.

Reinstall the metal locking rings on the two top fan cover tabs.

8. Reinstall the evaporator cover

Position the evaporator cover in the freezer compartment and reconnect the ice maker wire harness and ground wire.

Push the evaporator cover to the center of the freezer compartment and reconnect the evaporator fan wire harness.

Position the evaporator cover over the evaporator and reinstall the mounting screws.

9. Reinstall the freezer shelf

Push the shelf into the mounting holes on the left side of the freezer compartment wall.

Slide the shelf to the right and reinstall the shelf spacer.

10. Restore power

Plug in the refrigerator to restore power.