How to Replace a Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Motor

When it comes to your refrigerator, one of the most important things that can go wrong with it is the fan, especially the evaporator fan motor not working anymore. If your refrigerator is not cooling down at all, this is not good. You will most likely need to replace your evaporator fan motor in your refrigerator. Cooling is perhaps the most critical thing for your refrigerator as it is the sole purpose of this unit. It is however, relatively easy to remove and replace the fan motor in the refrigerator. 

Step 1 – Preparing for Replacing the Fan Motor

As with all appliances that run on electricity, the first thing you need to do before installing a new fan motor in your refrigerator is to turn off the unit at the main and clean out any food that is going to be in your way while you are working.

Step 2 – Checking the Fan Motor

Before you replace the fan motor, you first need to check the existing one. Remove the cover that is over the motor and use a brush to get rid of any dirt and dust that has built up on the inside of it. After you have checked this part of the motor, clean up any dirt that is in the surrounding area to ensure that you have room to work in. First, you should see if the fan still moves by trying to rotate the blades. If you find that it does not move round smoothly or won’t go at all, then you will need to replace the fan.

Step 3 – Remove the Fan Motor

Once you have determined that the existing fan motor does not work anymore, you will need to remove it from the refrigerator. Use your pliers to take the wires away from the main part of the motor. Once these are disconnected, you can use the screwdriver to take out the screws that hold the fan in place. Ensure that you take the fan element away from the motor very carefully.

Step 4 – Put the New Fan Together

When you have purchased the new fan you will need to put this together before installing it into your refrigerator. Attach the new blade fan first off before you can use it. Use the screws that come with it to position it in place.

Step 5 – Install the New Fan

Once you have taken out the old fan, disposed of it. Assemble the new fan complete with fan blades and install the new fan into the refrigerator. Put the fan in and hold it in place but do not tighten up the screws just yet. Reattach the wire. While reattaching, ensure that the order is the same as before and it is almost ready to go. Check that the blades of the fan are rotating properly when turned on and put the cover back over the motor box.

Step 6 – Turn on the Refrigerator Again

Once the steps are all complete, turn on the refrigerator again from the mains and test the new fan to ensure that it works correctly.