How to Remove the Fan in a GE Side-by-Side Freezer

Safety First

• Repairing a major home appliance carries a risk of serious injury, or even death, if you fail to follow the appropriate precautions. Keep your do-it-yourself repairs safe and injury-free by disconnecting the electrical supply to your GE side-by-side refrigerator before attempting to disassemble the appliance. You can unplug the refrigerator from the wall outlet or move the corresponding circuit breaker switch to the "Off" position to shut off the flow of electricity.

Getting Started

• The evaporator fan is positioned behind several panels in the upper rear portion of the freezer. Before you can access the fan, you must remove these panels as well as the food, shelves and icemaker assembly. The icemaker wiring harness is held to the auger motor assembly with plastic clips; spread the clips with a flat-head screwdriver and remove the wires. Remove the Phillips screw on the left side of the icemaker. Pull the left side of the icemaker forward to disengage the two retaining posts. Set the removed icemaker on a padded surface until you're ready to reassemble the freezer. Take out the hex-head screws securing the icemaker and ice dispenser mounting brackets. Set the removed brackets aside.

Removing Freezer Fan

• The evaporator fan is still shielded by the upper and lower fan ductwork and a protective cover. Remove the hex-head screws and use a small flat-head screwdriver to release any retaining tabs. You can now remove the ductwork and protective cover components. Several wires are connected to the evaporator fan assembly, so pull the plastic wiring connector to detach the wires from the wiring harness. Remove the hex-head screw securing the evaporator fan ground wire. The evaporator fan assembly is held to its mounting bracket with hex-head screws. Remove the screws and lift the fan assembly out of the freezer.

Warranty Information

• Many GE side-by-side refrigerators come with a warranty covering the cost of replacement parts and installation service for a specified period. If your refrigerator is still under warranty, consider contacting GE customer service to ask about its repair service. Performing unauthorized repairs on a GE refrigerator may void its warranty and leave you responsible for the cost of future repairs. Consult your warranty for additional information.