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Use this guide to replace the evaporator fan on your GE side-by-side refrigerator.
The evaporator fan circulates air through the cold evaporator coils. The cold air then circulates in both the freezer and refrigerator compartments.
If the evaporator fan doesn't run, either because the motor fails or from ice buildup near the blades, the refrigerator will not be able to stay cold. This condition will show up in the fresh food compartment first.
This guide was created using a GE model GSH25KGMB BB side-by-side refrigerator. Other GE side-by-side units should be similar.
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Unplug your refrigerator before you begin your repair.
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Condenser fan motor
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Compressor motor and thermal overload device
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Water supply valve assembly
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Grasp the ice bin and lift it upward slightly.
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Pull the bin out of the freezer compartment and remove it.
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Lift the front edge of the cover 1cm (1/2") and pull the cover out of the freezer compartment.
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Use a 1/4" nut driver to loosen or remove the two screws securing the ice maker in place.
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Lift the icemaker upward to allow the mounting keyholes to slip over the screw heads.
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Reposition the ice maker to the lower right, below the auger motor.
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Disconnect ice maker plug by loosening the retainer clips by lifting them if possible and then pulling the plug out of the socket. The socket is shown with the plug removed.
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Remove the ice maker from the freezer compartment.
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Use a 1/4" nut driver to remove the two screws securing the ice auger motor to its support brackets.
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Lift the ice auger motor to the right to free it from the left hand support bracket.
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Lower the ice auger motor to the left, forward and down to allow it to clear the right hand support bracket.
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Lower the auger motor assembly so that you can access the electrical connection.
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Squeeze the locking tabs on the connector to release it from the socket and pull it out to disconnect it.
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Remove the ice auger motor assembly.
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Lift the right edge of the shelf to free it from the clips which secure it.
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Once the shelf is lifted, move it to the right and free the tabs on the left edge.
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Remove the shelf.
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Repeat this for each of the freezer shelves.
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Unscrew the light bulb and set it aside.
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Use a #2 Phillips screwdriver to remove the retaining screws securing the lower evaporator cover.
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Remove the lower evaporator cover by pulling it toward you and then rotating it so it will get past the shelf brackets.
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Use a 1/4" nut driver to remove the four screws securing the evaporator fan cover to the rear of the refrigerator.
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Lift the evaporator fan cover upward to free it.
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Pull the top of the evaporator fan cover forward.
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Use a 1/4" nut driver to disconnect the ground connection next to the evaporator fan housing.
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Squeeze the release tabs on the connector located to the right of and above the evaporator fan housing.
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Pull the connector toward you to disconnect it.
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Disconnect the cable located above and to the left of the evaporator fan housing, by squeezing the locking tabs and pulling out the connector.
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Use a 1/4" nut driver to loosen or remove the screws securing the fan housing to the rear wall of the freezer.
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Reposition the evaporator fan housing by lifting it and rotating the top toward you to access the evaporator fan assembly retainer screws.
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Pull the defrost thermostat upward to unclip it from the evaporator tubing.
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Defrost thermistor location
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Unclip the defrost thermistor from the evaporator tubing..
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Unclip both of the heater wires from their foam restraints located near the sides of the evaporator coil to allow the evaporator fan housing to move more freely.
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Use a 1/4" nut driver to remove the two screws securing the evaporator fan motor assembly to the evaporator fan housing.
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Lift the evaporator fan motor assembly from the fan housing.
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Remove the fan wires from the retaining clip on the fan housing.
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Squeeze the locking tabs to release the connector, and pull it apart to disconnect the evaporator fan assembly.
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Fan bracket screw locations are indicated by arrows.
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Use a 1/4" nut driver to remove the fan bracket screw that also secures the grounding connection.
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Use the same 1/4" nut driver to remove the remaining fan bracket screw. The screw location is shown.
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Remove the evaporator fan retainer bracket.
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Use a pair of pliers as a lever to lift the fan blades and slide them off the shaft of the evaporator fan motor.
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You can now replace the evaporator fan motor.
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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.
Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.
Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.
