Frigidaire Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Not Working - Troubleshooting Tips

Frigidaire Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Not Working – Troubleshooting Tips

A Frigidaire refrigerator's evaporator fan may stop working due to various issues. Common causes include a faulty motor, control board problems, wiring issues, ice buildup, thermostat malfunction, or compressor problems. DIY fixes are possible for some issues, while others require professional repair. Troubleshooting steps include checking for ice buildup, inspecting wiring, and testing the fan motor. If unable to resolve the problem, contacting a technician is recommended for refrigerator repair.

My Frigidaire refrigerator evaporator fan not working, and panic set in.
Food was at risk, and my wallet trembled at the thought of repairs for the refrigerator not cooling. 

I knew I had to act fast. Determined to solve this myself, I dove into research mode. 

Hours flew by as I scoured forums, watched videos, and consulted manuals.  Gradually, the fog of confusion lifted. 

I discovered several potential causes and solutions. Some were simple fixes, others more complex, requiring a technician to diagnose the issue. 

Armed with knowledge, I felt ready to tackle the problem head-on. This guide shares what I learned, hoping to save you time and stress.

Key Takeaways:

  • Common causes: faulty motor, control board issues, wiring problems, ice buildup, thermostat malfunction, compressor issues
  • DIY fixes possible for some problems; others may require professional repair
  • Safety first: Always unplug the refrigerator before attempting repairs

Why Is My Frigidaire Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Not Working?

Faulty Evaporator Fan Motor

One big issue is when the evaporator fan motor goes kaput. It’s like, the fan just won’t spin, you know? This happens when the motor’s not getting juice or it’s busted.

Image of checking faulty evaporator fan motor

Over time, these motors can wear out, overheat, or have electrical problems – like wires breaking or short circuits, which may trigger an error code.

When it’s messed up, cold air doesn’t move around right, and your fridge temps get all wonky.

Wanna try fixing it yourself? Here’s how a technician would approach the problem:

  1. Get to the fan. Open up the freezer, take out all the shelves, and find the back panel. Unscrew it and pop it off to see the fan motor.
  2. Time to play electrician! Grab a multimeter and check if the motor’s getting power. Set it to AC voltage, touch one end to the blue wire and the other to the red. Should read about 120 volts to ensure the fan is not working properly. If it’s dead, it might be a wiring issue or something up with the control board that you need to fix.
  3. If there’s power but the motor’s still not working, you’ve probably got to swap it out. Disconnect the old condenser fan, put in the new motor, and put everything back together to fix the Frigidaire gallery unit.

Malfunctioning Electronic Control Board

When the control board goes haywire, it might not send enough juice to the fan motor in the evaporator, so it won’t spin.

Image of Malfunctioning Electronic Control Board

This happens because of things like electrical shorts, busted circuits, or parts in the board going kaput.

You might hear weird noises (like clicking or chattering) or see other fridge stuff acting crazy if the board’s on the fritz.

DIY Fix:

  1. Find the control board – it’s usually hiding in the back of the fridge or behind some panel.
  2. Take a good look at it. If you see burnt bits or capacitors that look like they’re bout to pop, that’s bad news.
  3. Grab a multimeter and check if it’s putting out the right voltage. If it ain’t working right, you might need to swap it out.
  4. If you gotta replace it, order a new one that’ll fit. Unplug the old one and hook up the new board. Make sure everything’s connected tight!

Wiring Issues

If the wires that juice up the fan in the evaporator get cut, all frayed, or come loose, the fan ain’t spin because it’s not getting the power it needs.

Image of Wiring Issues

This can happen pretty much anywhere from the control board to the fan motor.

Here’s how you can try to fix it yourself:

  1. First up, you get to the wires. Take off the back panel in the freezer – that’ll show you all the wiring and the fan.
  2. Now, take a good look at the wires. You’re looking for anything that looks off – maybe they’re cut, cracked, or just hanging loose. Pay extra attention to the ones going from the control board to the fan motor.
  3. Grab a multimeter and check if the wires are working right. Set it to continuity mode, then touch one end of a wire with one lead and the other end with the other lead to diagnose any issues with the appliance. If it’s all good, you should see something close to 0 ohms. Do this for all the wires going to the fan.
  4. If you find a wire that’s not working, you gotta fix it or swap it out. You could try splicing it back together with some wire nuts, or if it’s really bad, you might need to replace the whole wire harness.
  5. Once you’ve got everything fixed up, put your fridge back together and turn it on. Check if the fan’s spinning as it should, or if it’s a case of the evaporator fan is not working.

Ice Buildup on the Evaporator Coils

It’s a real pain when the defrost heater decides to take a vacation and doesn’t melt the frost. When those coils freeze over, it’s like trying to breathe through a straw – the fan can’t push cold air around, and your frigidaire fridge ends up warmer than a summer day.

Image of Ice Buildup on the Evaporator Coils

Here’s how you can fix it yourself:

  1. Pop off the back panel in the freezer. You’ll see the coils hiding back there, where the ice maker is usually located.
  2. Take a good look – if it’s looking like the North Pole in there, you gotta defrost it.
  3. Now, you have options. You can use a hairdryer (on low, mind you) to melt that ice away. Or if you’re patient, just leave the door open for a few hours. It’ll melt eventually.
  4. Once it’s all clear, grab a multimeter and check if the defrost heater’s still kicking. If it’s dead as a doornail, you might need to replace it.

Defective Temperature Control Thermostat

When the coils get all frosted up, it’s like tryna breathe through a coffee straw – the fan can’t push the cold air around, and your fridge ends up hotter than a Texas sidewalk in July.

Wanna fix it yourself? Here’s the lowdown:

  1. Pop off the back panel in the freezer. The coils are hiding back there like shy kids at a dance.
  2. Take a gander – if it’s looking like Elsa’s winter wonderland in there, you gotta melt that mess and replace the evaporator fan motor.
  3. Now, you have choices. Grab a hairdryer (on low, don’t go crazy) and play ice sculptor. Or if you have time to kill, just leave the door open for a few hours. It’ll melt eventually, just like your ice cream.
  4. Once it’s all clear, whip out a multimeter and see if the defrost heater’s still got some life in it. If it’s deader than last week’s leftovers, you might need to swap it out.

Compressor Issues

When the compressor goes wonky, it can mess up the whole cooling show, especially that evaporator fan.

Image of Compressor Issues

If the compressor’s dead or locked up, the fan might stop spinning cause the control system’s like “Nope, not sending power there!” Next thing you know, your grub’s gone bad.

Why This Happens:

  • Compressor’s problems: No cold air means the fan’s got nothing to do.
  • Electrical hiccups: If the start relay or that overload thingy’s busted, your compressor won’t kick on, so the fan’s just chilling (but not really).

Wanna Fix It Yourself?

  1. Get to the compressor: Pop off the back panel. It’s like fridge surgery.
  2. Check that start relay: Got a multimeter? Test for continuity. No beep? Time for a new one.
  3. Listen to the compressor: Weird noises or too hot to touch? Might need replacing.
  4. Put it all back together: Once you’ve tinkered with the appliance, close up and plug it in. Keep an eye on it to make sure it’s working right.

Why is the fan not spinning on my Frigidaire refrigerator?

Is your Frigidaire refrigerator giving you trouble? Let’s talk about why that fan isn’t spinning.

It’s a real pain when your refrigerator and freezer aren’t keeping things cool, right?

One of the common reasons your Frigidaire refrigerator is not cooling properly is that the fan is not running.

Before you panic and call a service technician, there are a few things you can check yourself.

First off, check the evaporator fan to see if it’s blocked or frozen. Sometimes, the fan runs but gets stuck on ice. If that’s not it, your refrigerator is not getting power to the fan motor.

This could mean you need to replace the electronic control board or there’s an issue with the refrigerator compressor.

Don’t worry though, correcting most fan not working issues isn’t rocket science!

If you can’t fix the problem on your own, it’s time to call in the pros for refrigerator repair. They can diagnose and repair the issue, no matter where you bought your fridge.

Remember, fan not working problems usually have simple solutions, and working problems usually involve replacing a part or two.

FAQs

Why isn’t my Frigidaire refrigerator’s evaporator fan working?

There could be several reasons why your Frigidaire refrigerator’s evaporator fan isn’t working. Common causes include frost or ice buildup on the fan blades, a faulty fan motor, or a problem with the control board. It’s important to check the fan for any visible obstructions first before diving into more complex issues.

How can I tell if the evaporator fan is the problem?

If you experience a Frigidaire refrigerator with inconsistent cooling, you might have a fan issue. Check if the refrigerator temp is higher than usual while the freezer temp remains normal. You may also notice increased energy consumption or hear unusual noises when the compressor and fan should be running.

What should I do if there’s ice buildup preventing the fan from running?

If you notice frost or ice buildup on the evaporator fan, you’ll need to defrost it manually. Unplug the refrigerator, remove all food, and leave the doors open for 24-48 hours. Once defrosted, check if the fan works properly when you plug it back in. If this doesn’t solve the issue, you might need to look into other potential causes.

How do I check if the evaporator fan motor is working?

To check the fan motor, you’ll need to access the evaporator fan behind the freezer’s back panel. Unplug the refrigerator first for safety. Once you’ve located the fan, try spinning the blade manually. If it doesn’t spin freely or makes grinding noises, you might need to replace the fan motor.

Can a faulty control board cause the evaporator fan to stop working?

Yes, a malfunctioning control board can prevent the evaporator fan from running. The control board is responsible for sending power to various components, including the fan. If you’ve ruled out other issues, it might be worth checking the control board.

Mohammad Waseem
Mohammad Waseem

I'm Waseem, an appliance fixing expert since 2018. After years of repairing washers, dryers and fridges, I've seen it all. Socks in pumps, utensils jamming ice makers - you name it! But some elbow grease usually saves the day. I share handyman tips on this blog to help neighbors fix appliances and save cash instead of costly replacements.

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