EVAPORATOR FAN MOTOR NOISE: HOW TO STOP

When refrigerators are functioning normally, it seems like life is going smoothly. Life gets disturbed when you wake up early in the morning and hear some unusual noise coming from your kitchen. It might be your fridge. And yes, it is your refrigerator that is making the constant but unusual noise.

From condenser to compressor, water inlet valve to evaporator fan motor, anything can cause noise in your refrigerator. It’s important to find the real cause of noise and fix it to keep fridge working normally. Let’s read our evaporator fan motor noise guide.

How to Check And Solve Evaporator Fan Motor Noise

Refrigerators often make noise and it’s different from the normal one it makes. The refrigerator noise making issue like in Bosch refrigerators, isn’t something to neglect as it may be due to any defective, faulty, or damaged part. One such reason is the evaporator fan motor noise. Let’s see how to check and solve the evaporator fan motor noise issue.

Before You Start

If the evaporator fan becomes defective, repairing and troubleshooting the refrigerator evaporator fan is important. To start the repair, it is important to take some safety precautions.

1. First, unplug the refrigerator and check with a Multi-meter, it will prevent any electric shock and keep you secure and safe.
2. The second safety measure is to move the refrigerator away from the wall, as it gives more space to work and access the evaporator fan motor. 
3. Empty all the freezer compartments before the repair process. It helps in removing evaporator fan cover and gives access to the motor easily.

Identify the Source of Noise

Before taking the first step toward the repairing process, it is important to determine whether the noise is coming from the fan evaporator motor. Listen closely to the noise coming from the refrigerator while it is running. If noise is coming from the freezer compartment that means the evaporator fan motor is defective and needs fixation.

Unplug the Refrigerator

Unplugging the refrigerator from the power outlet is important for safety before starting the repair process. It will prevent electric shocks while working on the freezer.

Locate the Evaporator Fan Motor

The location of the evaporator fan motor is behind the panel at the back of the freezer compartment. There are screws and clips that hold the panel in place. Remove them carefully. The evaporator fan motor is only accessible after the panel is removed.

Inspect the Fan Blades

Inspect the fan blades and check for any cracks, wrapping, or build-up of debris or ice. If you find any damage to fan blades, replace them with new ones.

Check Motor Shaft

Sometimes evaporator fan motor noise is due to a motor shaft. Spin the shaft with your hand, if it moves freely then the motor shaft is fine. If the shaft gets stuck or feels rough then it is the right time for motor shaft replacement.

Check the Grommets

The grommets are rubber mounts that help to isolate the fan motor from the refrigerator body. Grommets become loose and wear out with time and it becomes the cause of the evaporator fan motor noise. Inspect the grommets for any signs of damage and wear. If they are worn, replace them immediately.

Clean the Fan and Motor

Dust and debris accumulation in the fan motor can also contribute to the evaporator fan motor noise. Take a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush and gently clean the fan blades, motor, and surrounding area.

Replace Damaged Components

Identify the defective and damaged parts such as grommets, fan motors, or fan blades. Replace the damaged parts with new ones to make the evaporator fan motor properly work. Make use of the user manual from the appliance company for inspection, identification, and repair of the freezer parts.

Reassemble and Test

After replacing the damaged part, make sure to reassemble the evaporator fan motor carefully. Plug the refrigerator back into the power outlet and carefully listen to the noise. If the noise persists, then there may be another issue such as a defect in refrigerator’s electrical system or other compartments. Consult or hire a qualified technician to repair or replace the fan motor or other freezer parts.

Reasons And Solutions For Evaporator Fan Motor Noise

Though the causes are discussed above in our guide, let’s deeply see the reasons and solutions for the evaporator fan motor noise.

Evaporator Fan Motor Noise: Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Motor

When the evaporator fan motor in the freezer fails, it generates a lot of noise. Its position is behind the rear panel and the sound becomes louder when someone opens the door of the refrigerator. The evaporator fan motor noise is an indication that it needs replacement. When the fan evaporator is working fine, it blows air across the evaporator coils and circulates cool air throughout the refrigerator. You can access the fan easily by removing the cover or access panel inside the freezer. Be careful when accessing the evaporator fan as it has a connection to the thermistor. Follow the following steps to check evaporator fan blade.

• First listen to the noise carefully, if it comes from the evaporator fan.
• Unplug the power source to the refrigerator to be safe.
• Find the location of and access the fan blade.
• If there is a defect or fan blade cannot turn freely due to an obstruction, it causes noise and needs replacement.

Evaporator Fan Motor Noise: Lubricate The Fan Motor:

Sometimes the fan motor gives a squeaking sound or rubbing, which means it needs lubricating. Lubricate the Motor with oil by using the following steps.

1. Disconnect the power to the refrigerator and remove the fan cover.
2. Use a light machine oil to lubricate the shafts of the fan motor. Don’t use too much oil as it makes the fan’s voice noisy and loud.

Evaporator Fan Motor Noise: Evaporator Grommet

The evaporator grommet is a tiny part that is located on the fan assembly. The grommet comes in various colors and is usually used to isolate the Motor from the mounting bracket and reduce vibration and noise. Regular wear and tear causes damage to grommet. The faulty grommet becomes detached and causes excessive noise and vibration. The defective grommet needs replacement to fix the noise and vibration issue. Follow our instructions to inspect the evaporator fan motor grommet.

How To Check A Refrigerator’s Evaporator Fan Motor Grommets

• First, unplug refrigerator for safety.
• Find the location of the evaporator fan motor. It is present inside the freezer, remove the fan cover to access it.
• Inspect the grommet for visible signs of damage. Replace and plug the refrigerator back in.

Evaporator Fan Motor Noise: The Evaporator Motor

A defective Motor is one of the other causes of evaporator fan motor noise. A damaged motor creates considerable noise and is faulty due to cold temperatures and moisture that can damage motor bearings.

The major indication of a defective evaporator motor is squeaking noise coming from its location. Freezer not cooling, or taking too long to cool, and temperature fluctuations are some other symptoms of a defective motor. If the Motor makes an unusual squeaking loud noise, it needs repair or replacement. Inspect the evaporator motor by following these steps.

• Unplug the power connector to the refrigerator.
• Find the location of evaporator motor and remove its access panel.
• Inspect the Motor and check for wear and tear and damage.
• Turn the motor shaft manually and if it is difficult to turn, that means it needs replacement.
• Sometimes you have to face an evaporator motor problem due to ice buildup. Defrost the compartment to fix the issue before replacing the evaporator motor.

Evaporator Fan Motor Noise: Fan blades

Dust and debris create blockage and prevent the fan blades from working properly. It might be one of the causes of the evaporator fan motor noise. Unplug the freezer and carefully remove the fan cover. Use a soft brush vacuum cleaner and carefully clean the fan blades from dust and debris. Clean the blades carefully as they can be bent or damaged easily.

Check For Ice Buildup

As we already know, the ice buildup can also be a cause of Evaporator fan motor noise. So, check for ice buildup from time to time. If you find the ice buildup, remove it immediately. Disconnect the power to the refrigerator and inspect fan blades for ice buildup. If you find any traces, use a hair dryer to melt ice bars.

Check For Debris In The Fan

Debris can cause the fan to make noise. Inspect the fan for dirt and debris and clean it to run smoothly. Remove the fan cover by disconnecting the power source to refrigerator. The vacuum cleaner is the best option for cleaning the debris.

Check For Loose Parts

Any loose part in the fan can also cause an evaporator fan motor noise problem. To inspect the loose part, remove the fan cover and check if there is a loose part, tighten it, and recheck. If there is no noise coming from evaporator fan motor that means the problem is solved.

Replacing the Evaporator Fan Motor

Replace the evaporator fan motor with a new one that is compatible with your refrigerator model. The process to replace the evaporator fan motor is as follows:

1. Disconnect the power source to the refrigerator and remove fan cover.
2. Remove the mounting screws from the fan motor and removes the old motor.
3. Install the new motor and attach the mounting screws again.
4. Reconnect the electric connector to the motor and reinstall the fan cover.
5. Plug in the refrigerator again to check the results.

Other Reasons Behind Refrigerator Noise

Some other reasons that contribute to the causes of evaporator fan motor noise are as follows:

The Water Inlet Valve

The water inlet valve controls the water supply to the ice maker if refrigerator has built-in ice maker. Wear in the valve can cause the evaporator fan motor to make a noise. You will hear a buzzing and strange humming sound when the ice maker fills with ice. The water inlet valve location is behind the rear access panel behind the freezer. Replace the faulty water inlet valve because it will be challenging to repair and fail again after repair.

Condenser Fan Motor

Modern frost-free freezers will have a fan-cooled condenser coil. A condenser fan helps to circulate air through the condenser coil to remove heat. It also circulates air over the drain pan to evaporate the defrosted water. If your freezer makes a loud noise, a defective condenser fan motor is one reason. The condenser fan motor runs along with evaporator motor and compressor. Along with a noise problem, the freezer might not stay cool and may be turning on and off regularly.

How To Inspect A Refrigerator Condenser Fan Motor

• Unplug the power source to the refrigerator and remove the rear access panel. Find the condenser location as it is usually found near the compressor at the bottom rear of the refrigerator.
• Inspect for damage or signs of wear of the condenser. Obstruction or blockage also prevents fan from moving smoothly. Check if the fan motor is worn or seized. If any of the above problems persist, replace the condenser fan motor.

The Compressor

The location of the compressor is located at the back of the refrigerator, behind the rear access panel. The freezer compressor pumps refrigerant through the condenser and evaporator coil. However, issues with compressors can also cause evaporator fan motor noise. The compressor sound becomes louder than normal when it is not working fine. Compressors last for many years and their repair is very costly. It is recommended to buy a new refrigerator like a GE refrigerator instead of compressor replacement. Seek professional technician help, If you want to replace or repair a compressor as it is a complex and risky procedure. Find A Pro Here!

Conclusion

The evaporator fan motor noise coming from the refrigerator causes a big irritation. In addition, it also brings damage to the refrigerator. By following the expert guide mentioned above, any refrigerator noise making problem is solvable.