There are different issues that can come up with a GE refrigerator evaporator. So if you find any problems with the system, this article is for you.
Table of Contents
How to Replace a GE Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Motor
To replace a GE refrigerator evaporator fan motor, take the following steps:
Step 1: Gather Your Tools
Get the tools you will need for the replacement together. This will help you work faster.
You will need:
- Needle-nose pliers
- Phillips screwdriver
- A flat-blade screwdriver
- One quarter-inch nut driver and one 5/16 inch nut driver
Step 2: Disconnect the Unit from Electric Power
The next thing to do is to disconnect the refrigerator from the electric power to which it is connected.
If you cannot reach the wall outlet, flip the circuit breaker that controls the unit.
Step 3: Empty the Freezer
Remove every item in the freezer, including the shelves and light bulbs on some models. And remove the ice maker with the ice bucket if they are in the way. Usually, though, the ice maker does not block that back panel.
Doing this will give you access to the inside rear wall of the freezer compartment.
Some models, such as the side-by-side, need you to remove the auger motor assembly before reaching the panel.
Step 4: Remove the Panel
Take out the Phillips screws holding the back panel or evaporator fan cover in place. How many screws there are will depend on the model of the GE refrigerator you own.
On some, such as the top freezer model, you will find two. On others, you may find more than two.
Once you remove the panel, you will see the evaporator coils. You may find the fan right next to it or you may need to move the coils to access the fan.
Step 5: Uninstall the Old Motor
If there is ice or frost on the coils, melt it using a hair dryer. But do this gently and carefully. Next, locate the wire harness of the fan and disconnect it.
Turn the fan over to reveal the motor. Make sure there is no wire connecting it to the freezer. How you do this will depend on the refrigerator model. However, the basics of removing the motor remain the same.
Step 6: Install the New Motor
Once all the wires and harnesses are disconnected, pull the motor housing out of the freezer. Unthread the screws holding the motor in place and remove them. Doing this will separate it from the fan blades.
Put the new fan motor in its place and fix the rear mounting bracket securely. Reconnect the wire harness to the motor housing and put the housing back into the freezer.
Reverse your steps to reconnect all the wires and replace all the parts you removed earlier. Be sure to fix them correctly.
Tip: It helps to take a picture of wire connections and positions of parts before removing them. This way, you know where every wire and refrigerator part belongs.
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Here is a video showing how to replace the motor of an evaporator fan on a GE side-by-side refrigerator…
Replacing the motor of the fan is quite affordable. However, be sure to buy from GE or from any other trusted original replacement parts dealer. Equally important, ensure you buy using the model number of your refrigerator.
What Causes a GE Refrigerator Evaporator Fan to Ice Up?
A malfunctioning or failed defrost system causes an evaporator fan in aGE refrigerator to ice up. The same is true for every type of refrigerator.
In other words, if the defrost heater, defrost timer, defrost thermostat or defrost control board fails, ice would accumulate on the coils. And over time, if the system remains non-functional, the coils will freezer up. This, in turn, will reduce the cooling capacity of the refrigerator.
GE Refrigerator Evaporator Coils Freezing – How to Fix
So if the evaporator coils of a GE refrigerator are freezing, do the following:
- Check the defrost heater
- Check the defrost timer
- Check the defrost thermostat
- Check the defrost control board
- Check the defrost sensor
This article will show how to troubleshoot each component and how to fix them.
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GE Refrigerator Does Not Defrost [How to Fix]
GE Dual Evaporator Refrigerator Not Cooling – Quick Fix
Check the main control board if you find that your GE dual evaporator refrigerator is not cooling. This is the likeliest failed component causing the problem.
However, this applies if both the freezer and the refrigerator are not cooling. This is because this type of refrigerator has a twin cooling system. That is the refrigerator cools on its own and does not have to wait for cold air from the freezer.
Go to the back of the refrigerator and find the board. There is a J2 connector clearly marked on the board. Use a multimeter to test it after setting the meter to 14VDC.
Probe pin 3 on the board with the black lead on the meter and put 8 with the red lead. If you see any reading outside the range of 12-14VDC on the meter, replace the control board.
Another part to check is the:
Compressor
Even though the refrigerator has a dual cooling system, both compartments still use one compressor. And if the compressor fails, it would stop cooling.
One reason why the compressor would fail is a defective condenser fan motor. Therefore, test the motor of the fan with a multimeter to check for continuity. If there is no continuity, replace the motor. Then, check the functionality of the compressor.
However, if the fan is working well, check the start relay or overload. With a multimeter, test the relay for continuity between its 2 run terminals.
If you don’t find continuity, replace the relay. In addition, if it smells as if it is burnt or rattles when you shake it, replace it.
GE Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Making a Noise – Solution
If you hear a noise coming from the fan of your GE refrigerator, it means the blades are hitting something or the motor is malfunctioning.
But to be sure, open the door of the freezer and activate the door switch. Then, wait for the noise. If it comes while you hold the door open, it is definitely coming from the fan.
Check out this article on how to solve the problem and prevent it in the future.
Recap
A GE refrigerator evaporator can develop issues, both on the coils and the fan. Finding and fixing the problem quickly is, therefore, important.
However, if you are not sure about fixing evaporator issues yourself, contact GE and request service.
Otherwise, chat with any of our appliance technicians. They are available to assist you and you don’t need an appointment.
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