How to Test and Replace the Evaporator Fan in an Older Whirlpool Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator

ID: 163264

Description: Use this guide to replace the evaporator fan in...

Steps:

1. Before you begin your repair, perform the following:
2. Turn off your main water supply (if connected)
3. Unplug your device

4. Pull the handle of the freezer door towards you to open it.

5. Pull the handle of the refrigerator door towards you to open it.

6. Slide the shelf to the left side of the freezer.
7. Keep track of the position of each shelf as you remove it; there are two slightly different sizes.

8. Lift the right edge of the shelf upward to tilt it.

9. Shift the shelf back to the right while keeping it tilted. It should now be released from its slot and you can remove it from the freezer.

10. Repeat these steps for any other shelves you wish to remove.

11. Slide and remove the bottom bin from the freezer portion.

12. Press the right edge of the freezer bulb cover to release the retaining clip.
13. Carefully remove the freezer bulb cover from the refrigerator.
14. Remove the light bulb.

15. Use a Phillips screwdriver to unfasten:
16. The post screws
17. The bracket screws
18. The bin rail screws
19. Mark the bin rails so you do not mix them up.
20. Remove the posts, brackets, and rails.

21. When replacing the posts and brackets, orient them carefully, or they will not seat properly. If you force them, you may damage the wall of your refrigerator.
22. Note that the mounting holes are square.
23. There is a very shallow boss on the back of those parts that corresponds to the square holes.

24. Use a Phillips screwdriver to unfasten the evaporator cover screws.

25. Wear gloves for this step to avoid any injuries.
26. Lift the evaporator cover from the bottom edge to unfasten the two tabs near the top of the evaporator cover.
27. Pull the bottom edge of the evaporator cover outward and slightly downward toward you.
28. Watch for the tabs at the top edge of the evaporator cover to release from the chassis.

29. Continue to pull the bottom edge of the evaporator cover outward toward you.
30. Remove the evaporator cover.

31. Use a large flat head screwdriver or pry bar to push up on the bottom of the evaporator fan near the shaft to slide it off the shaft.
32. Remove the evaporator fan.
33. During reassembly, firmly press the fan down onto its shaft.

34. Use long nose pliers to pull and remove the spade connector for the ground connection on the evaporator fan motor.
35. Repeat this for the two motor connectors.

36. Lift slightly and press inward on the motor retention clip to release it from the motor mount.
37. Lower the front end of the motor retention clip.
38. Remove the motor and the retention clip.

39. Remove the motor retention clip from the motor.

40. You can use a multimeter to test the winding resistance between the two power connections on the motor.
41. If the motor shows an open circuit or zero resistance, the windings are broken or shorted, respectively. You will need to replace the motor.