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.
Replacing a refrigerator evaporator fan motor video.
Instructions
- 01.
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.
- 02.
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.
PHOTO: Remove the freezer shelf spacer.
PHOTO: Remove the shelf.
- 03.
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.
PHOTO: Remove the evaporator cover screws.
PHOTO: Pull down the top of the cover.
PHOTO: Unplug the evaporator fan wire harness.
PHOTO: Push the evaporator cover to the side.
PHOTO: Disconnect the green wire.
PHOTO: Disconnect the ice maker wire harness.
- 04.
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.
PHOTO: Remove the locking rings.
PHOTO: Remove the evaporator fan cover.
- 05.
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.
PHOTO: Remove the fan blade.
PHOTO: Release the fan retainer.
PHOTO: Remove the fan motor.
- 06.
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.
PHOTO: Install the new fan motor.
PHOTO: Reinstall the fan motor retainer.
PHOTO: Attach the fan blade.
- 07.
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.
PHOTO: Reinstall the fan cover.
PHOTO: Reinstall the locking rings.
- 08.
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.
PHOTO: Reattach the ice maker wire harness.
PHOTO: Reattach the green wire.
PHOTO: Connect the evaporator fan wire harness.
PHOTO: Push the evaporator cover into place.
PHOTO: Reinstall the evaporator cover screws.
- 09.
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.
PHOTO: Reinstall the freezer shelf.
PHOTO: Reinstall the shelf spacer.
- 10.
Restore power
Plug in the refrigerator to restore power.
Most common symptoms to help you fix your refrigerators
Choose a symptom to see related refrigerator repairs.
Main causes: blocked vents, defrost system problems, evaporator fan failure, dirty condenser coils, bad sensors, condens…
Main causes: damaged door seal, faulty defrost sensor or bi-metal thermostat, broken defrost heater, bad defrost timer o…
Main causes: jammed ice cubes, broken ice maker assembly, dirty water filter, kinked water line, bad water valve, freeze…
Main causes: control board or cold control failure, broken compressor start relay, compressor motor failure, defrost tim…
Main causes: leaky door gasket, defrost system failure, evaporator fan not running, dirty condenser coils, condenser fan…
Main causes: blocked air vents, compressor problems, condenser or evaporator fan not working, control system failure, se…
Main causes: water valve leaking, frozen or broken defrost drain tube, overflowing drain pan, cracked water system tubin…
Things to do: clean condenser coils, replace the water filter, clean the interior, adjust doors to prevent air leaks, cl…
Most common repair guides to help fix your refrigerators
These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your refrigerator.
How to replace a refrigerator water valve
Replace the water valve that feeds water to the ice maker and water dispenser if it no longer controls the flow of water…
How to replace a refrigerator temperature control board
If the temperature in your refrigerator doesn't match the temperature you set, the problem could be the temperature cont…
How to clean refrigerator condenser coils
Help your refrigerator run more efficiently by cleaning the condenser coils. It's easy and takes just a few minutes.…
Effective articles & videos to help repair your refrigerators
Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your refrigerator.
No matter what style Maytag refrigerator you have, we can walk you through replacing the water filter.…
Learn about all the convenient features on our Sears PartsDirect website that make your parts purchases easier.…
If your refrigerator's ice maker isn't producing as much ice as it should, or water is flowing poorly from the dispenser…