What Causes the Evaporator Fan to Burn Up in a Kenmore Elite Refrigerator?

Age

• All motors have a lifespan, and it is natural for your fan motor on your evaporator to eventually wear out over time. If you have had the refrigerator for several years, it could be a simple matter of age and worn-down motor components that are causing the problem. In this case, it is best to replace the motor entirely rather than trying to fix any particular part.

Constant Running

• If your refrigerator is constantly running, the evaporator fan has a lot of work to do. The motor was designed to run in cycles, not all the time, so it will eventually burn out. A constantly running refrigerator can be caused by ice that has built-up on the evaporator coils, low refrigerant and other problems that impair efficiency.

Windings

• Motor windings are the coils of wire that the motor uses to generate its electrical field. These windings are protected by insulation, but sometimes that insulation can fail. When this occurs, the windings can burn out, the motor can stop working and your Kenmore refrigerator will not be able to cool properly. Windings are difficult to replace, so buying a new motor in this case is also a good idea.

Worn Bearings

• Your Kenmore refrigerator motor uses ball bearings to help it rotate and transfer energy to the fan blades efficiently. Over time, these bearings can start to wear down, losing lubrication and creating friction. When this occurs, the motor can struggle to operate and may eventually burn out if the bearings are not replaced in time.