How to Replace a Fan on a Refrigerator Freezer

All refrigerator freezers come with a built-in exhaust fan. The fan's primary function is to circulate air and remove any heat generated inside the freezer. If the fan goes bad, your food may still be cold, but it might not freeze, which can cause certain food items to spoil. Replacing a bad freezer fan usually means partially dismantling the freezer compartment.

Things You'll Need

• Phillips-head screwdriver

Instructions

1. Pull the refrigerator/freezer unit away from the wall and unplug the main power cable from its wall receptacle. Open the freezer door and remove all food items from inside the freezer.

2. Locate the freezer control switch, usually located in the back of the freezer box. Switch the control switch to the "Off" position. Locate the fan assembly mounted to the rear of the freezer box. Loosen and remove the screws fastening the fan's plastic casing to the freezer. Remove the housing from the freezer box to reveal the fan unit.

3. Remove the screws mounting the fan to the freezer box. Pull the fan out of its compartment and disconnect the two power connectors from the back of the fan. Remove the old fan from the freezer box.

4. Place the new fan inside the freezer box and reconnect the two power connectors to the back of the new fan. Place the new fan into the compartment in the back of the freezer box. Align the screw holes on the fan unit with the holes inside the fan compartment. Replace the fan's mounting screws to fasten the fan unit in place.

5. Place the fan's external housing over the fan compartment and replace the housing's mounting screws. Reconnect the refrigerator's power cable. Turn on the freezer fan's control switch. Slide the refrigerator back against the wall.

6. Place all food items back into the freezer box.

References

• Acme How To: How to Replace the Evaporator Fan
• Repair Clinic: Freezer Troubleshooting Information