How to replace an evaporator fan
How to replace an evaporator fan. If you have a side-by-side refrigerator, then you know that there’s an evaporator fan in charge of making sure the air circulates and keeps things cold.
But if that fan starts to go bad, you’ll notice a significant change in temperature in both the freezer and refrigerator sections.
Things might start to get a little humid, and you might even see frost or ice buildup. If you think your evaporator fan is on the fritz, here’s what you need to do to replace it.
How To Replace An Evaporator Fan
We will discuss here the steps of replacing tan evaporator fan.
Step 1: Disconnect the Water
Before beginning this repair, be sure to unplug your side-by-side from the power source and empty it completely.
Once you have disconnected the water, you will need to wait for any frost build up in the freezer to melt. To speed up this process, you can scrape some of the thicker build up off.
Step 2:Remove the Shelve Support
In order to access the back panel and, ultimately, the fan, you will need to remove the shelving and the shelf support from the freezer compartment.
With the back panel removed, you will then have access to the evaporator panel. Keep in mind that in order to reach the fan, you will have to take out this panel as well.
Step 3: Install a new Evaporator Fan
To replace your evaporator fan, you’ll need to first detach the mounting clip from the assembly. Remove the fan blade next, and then disconnect the wire harness.
With all of those things out of the way, you should be able to pull the fan out and install a new one.
Step 4: Reattach the Evaporator Panel
After you have installed the new fan assembly, you will then need to reattach the evaporator panel and cover it back up with the back panel.
Once that is done, you can begin to reassemble the freezer compartment. Once everything is put back in its place, you can turn your side-by-side on.
However, you will need to give it some time to cool down again before returning your food inside. In order to check and see if it is receiving correct temperatures, you can use a thermometer.
FAQs
What is the lifespan of an evaporator fan motor?
Evaporator fans usually last around 10 to 15 years, but this number can go down if the fan is used a lot. If you notice your evaporator fan isn’t working as well as it used to, it might be time to get a new one.
Be sure to also check up on your evaporator fan every so often to make sure it’s still in good condition.
What is the location of the evaporator fan motor?
If you’ve never had to replace an evaporator fan motor before, it can be difficult to find. They’re usually hidden behind a panel at the back of a refrigerator or freezer.
You’ll need to take out all the shelves and drawers to get to the motor if you want to access it. It’s usually located on the back panel.
Is it cheaper to repair or replace a refrigerator?
Refrigerators typically don’t break down too often, but when they do it’s usually pretty inexpensive to repair them.
In fact, most of the time it’s cheaper to repair your fridge than it is to buy a new one. There’s a general rule of thumb that says that if the cost of repairs is more than half the cost of purchasing a new refrigerator, you’re probably better off replacing the fridge.
Conclusion
It’s important to keep the evaporator fan in your side-by-side refrigerator running properly. If the fan goes out, you’ll notice a serious change in temperature in both the freezer and refrigerator section. The humidity might get a little high, and you might even see frost or ice buildup. If you think your evaporator fan is on the fritz, here’s how to replace it.
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