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Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the evaporator fan in your Whirlpool Refrigerator.

The evaporator fan draws air over the cooling coils and circulates this air within the fridge and freezer compartments. If your refrigerator is not cooling but your freezer works, then your evaporator fan might be broken.

This guide will work for most Whirlpool refrigerators. This guide is written with a model WRS315SDHW refrigerator. If you have a different model, you may encounter some minor disassembly differences, but the overall repair process will be the same.

Note: Some photos show the doors removed for clarity purposes. Removing them is not required and will not change the procedure.

What you need

  1. Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement, Safety precautions: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • Before you begin your repair, perform the following:

    • Turn off your main water supply

    • Unplug your device

    Edit

  2. Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement, Open the doors: step 2, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement, Open the doors: step 2, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement, Open the doors: step 2, image 3 of 3

    • Depending on your repair, open one or both doors.

    Edit

  3. Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement, Remove the drawers: step 3, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement, Remove the drawers: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the drawers and shelves from the freezer section.

    Edit

  4. Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the screw(s) securing the evaporator cover.

    Edit

  5. Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement, Unclip the evaporator cover: step 5, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement, Unclip the evaporator cover: step 5, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement, Unclip the evaporator cover: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • Lift the bottom of the evaporator cover up and over its lip in the chassis.

    • Pull the cover toward yourself to release its top clips.

    Edit

  7. Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement, Remove the evaporator cover: step 6, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement, Remove the evaporator cover: step 6, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement, Remove the evaporator cover: step 6, image 3 of 3

    • Continue pulling the evaporator cover towards yourself to unclip its metal prongs from the chassis.

    • Remove the evaporator cover.

    Edit

  8. Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement, Disconnect the evaporator fan: step 7, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement, Disconnect the evaporator fan: step 7, image 2 of 2

    • Use needle nose pliers, or your fingers, to disconnect the grounding wire(s) attached to the evaporator fan.

    Edit

  9. Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement: step 8, image 3 of 3

    • Disconnect any connectors attached to the evaporator fan.

    Edit

  10. Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement, Unfasten the evaporator fan: step 9, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the screw(s) securing the evaporator fan.

    Edit

  11. Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement, Remove the foam buffers: step 10, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement, Remove the foam buffers: step 10, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement, Remove the foam buffers: step 10, image 3 of 3

    • Slide the foam buffer downward to release it from its lip in the chassis.

    • Remove the foam buffer.

    • Repeat this procedure any remaining foam buffers.

    Edit

  12. Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement, Remove the evaporator fan housing: step 11, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement, Remove the evaporator fan housing: step 11, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement, Remove the evaporator fan housing: step 11, image 3 of 3

    • Pull the evaporator fan housing up and outward from the chassis to remove it.

    Edit

  13. Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement, Remove the fan: step 12, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement, Remove the fan: step 12, image 2 of 2

    • Pull the evaporator fan straight off its motor to remove it.

    • This may require some significant force.

    Edit

  14. Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement, Remove the motor bracket: step 13, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement, Remove the motor bracket: step 13, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement, Remove the motor bracket: step 13, image 3 of 3

    • Use your fingers to pry up and release the motor bracket clips from the housing.

    Edit

  15. Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement, Remove the motor bracket: step 14, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement, Remove the motor bracket: step 14, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the motor bracket.

    Edit

  16. Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement, Remove the motor: step 15, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement, Remove the motor: step 15, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Replacement, Remove the motor: step 15, image 3 of 3

    • Pull the motor straight out of its housing to remove it.

    Edit
Conclusion

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? Ask our Answers community for help.

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