How to Repair a Condenser Fan on a Refrigerator

A broken condenser fan in your refrigerator can manifest itself in a few ways. For instance, the fan blades or motor may make a loud noise that signals a problem. There may be strange areas of heat around your appliance -- a sign that the condenser fan is not doing its job of removing heat. You can open up the back of your refrigerator and take a look at the fan to determine if cleaning or replacing the part will fix the problem. It is relatively easy for a homeowner to perform troubleshooting or replace the condenser fan, and this is usually necessary throughout the life of a refrigerator. But if more advanced condenser problems are present, a professional repair service should be contacted.

Condenser coil brush
Screwdriver
Vacuum
Socket or nut driver
Replacement fan motor

Instructions

- 1
  Check the condenser fan motor for obvious problems. Unplug the refrigerator and pull it away from the wall to gain clearance. Remove the panel that covers the motor compartment.
- 2
  Clean the blades, fan motor and condenser thoroughly, removing any dust buildup with a brush. Vacuum or sweep the area around it to keep it clean. Cleaning the condenser units should be done a couple times a year to keep the appliance running efficiently. Special condenser coil brushes are useful for this purpose. Turn the appliance back on to see if it is working better. If not, you may need to replace the motor or the fan blades.
- 3
  Determine if the fan blades need replacing. Turn the fan blade with your hand to see if it will move freely. If it does not move at all, it will require replacing. The blades often need replacing when they become corroded or rusted over.
- 4
  Determine if the fan motor needs replacing. If the compressor is not running at all, a broken fan motor may be the culprit. A professional repair service may be required to determine if the source of the problem is the motor, the blades or another part of the compressor unit.
- 5
  Replace the fan motor if you have determined it is faulty. Make sure the appliance is unplugged. Unscrew the fan and remove its wires. Use a socket or nut driver to remove it.
- 6
  Remove and clean the fan blades or install new ones if they are damaged or rusty. Unscrew the screws that hold the blade to the hub. Clean the shaft thoroughly until it looks shiny or new. Screw new fan blades in place if the old ones are damaged.
- 7
  Remove the fan motor from its mount and place the new fan on the bracket. Reconnect the wires and screw the new fan motor in place.

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