How to Disassemble the Freezer in a GE Refrigerator

Safety Precautions

• Before disassembling your refrigerator, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator's power supply. The power supply can be disconnected by unplugging the refrigerator from the wall outlet, or by turning off the breaker in your home's service panel. This essential step eliminates the possibility of death or injury due to electrocution.

Food Spoilage

• In order to access the rear panel of the freezer, it is necessary to remove all of the contents of the freezer, including the shelves, drawers and drawer rails, which are secured using screws. To ensure that the food in your freezer is properly preserved and remains frozen, transfer it to another freezer, if available. If a secondary freezer is not available, place the contents of your freezer in a cooler packed with ice or dry ice to slow the melting process.

Remove the Ice Maker

• Often, you must remove the ice maker to access the rear panel of the freezer. First, pull the ice maker cover and ice bucket away from the ice maker and remove. With the ice bucket removed, locate the wire connector on the top of the auger motor, and use a flat-head screwdriver to disconnect it. Remove the mounting screws securing the auger motor housing to the sidewall of the freezer, and then pull the auger motor housing away from the rear panel. Disconnect the wire harness behind the auger motor housing to completely remove it from the refrigerator.

Lower Rear Panel Removal

• Before removing the lower rear panel, you must first lift and remove the light cover. With the light cover removed, remove the light bulb. The lower rear panel is secured using several screws, and when removed, the panel pulls out of the freezer compartment.

Upper Rear Panel Removal

• Loosen the screws on the bottom of the upper rear panel, located near the light socket, and loosen the upper screws. Allowing the upper screws to remain installed make for easy reassembly of the freezer. Use a flat-head screwdriver and needle-nosed pliers to remove the ice maker wire harness and retaining clip from the rear panel of the freezer. Lift the rear panel up and out of the freezer to remove.