Hi,

In my case, installing a new fan motor did not solve the problem. It was only after also installing a new MCB that I first could see the (new) fan turning.

It's possible that just replacing the MCB will get your original fan turning again - but look at the warning from the pros about using a fan that might be failing. I did NOT go back and test the old fan with the new MCB; it just wasn't worth the risk or bother.

If the fan motor you need is exactly the same model I ordered, I have a lead on one available new replacement motor; but to post details here would not be proper. If you want more info on this, pass along an email address (even a temporary one: hotmail, gmail, etc....), where I can forward the info.

If it all possible, my suggestion is to replace both the fan motor and the MCB at the same time.

While not a technical suggestion, I highly recommend leaving the fridge unplugged until you have the parts. I suspect a faulty MCB may also cause the defrost cycle to fail; my unit left about 1/2 gallon of melted ice in the drip pan. In fact, it looks like that caused the symptoms (warming fridge, extra cold freezer - then both getting warm), that lead to checking the fan. Otherwise, it might have just burned out the compressor due to lack of air flow over the unit.

BRN..

Thanks for the info...

Hi Barc,

My scenario, as it played out, had a new fan installed with the old MCB for something like a week.

When I got the new MCB and installed it, I kept the fan in place - so there didn't seem to be any obvious and immediate damage done to the replaced fan motor. can't say if I was just lucky.

With the new MCB and fan motor, I saw the fan turning for the first time. However, the time the fridge was running with the old MCB, it had been building up ice internally. The clue was very little air through the vents in the fridge section. It might have started doing defrost cycles on its own; but I saw no point in stressing the system - so I unplugged it for several days. I also used a floor fan to supplement the air over the compressor during the initial cool down.

No doubt, this design is not DIY friendly. Good luck with your situation.

BRN..

Hi Barc,

You're welcome.

I'd keep an eye out for internal ice build up. When I first installed the new fan motor, the fridge seemed to be working fine, except that I never saw the fan turn. My sister ran the fridge that way (floor fan to cool coils and compressor), for about a week without an apparent problem (fridge and freezer temps holding at set values).

Then the new controller board came in; and I installed that. It was great to see the condenser fan turn when I plugged in the fridge. I had other things to take care of there, so I checked on it from time to time. It seemed to take a long time for the fridge section to cool down. Air flow was minimal through the fridge vents. That's when I guessed that ice had built up inside, blocking the evaporator. The fridge never got down to set temp, and freezer went to -10 (set to 0). I figure the compressor was being called to run full time trying to cool the fridge; but the air just couldn't get there. Air assembly and flap were Ok; so it must have been an internal blockage.

Unplugging the fridge for several days resulted in the drain pan overflowing with melt water. Restart after the defrost went fine - and it's been fine since.

I think I've fixed about every appliance (and computers, VCRs, HVAC, etc...), in my house and for my family, over the years. This was the most frustrating - with the lack of data and procedures to isolate the problem.

You sound old enough to recall when people repaired TV sets. Then they integrated the circuits and it became cheaper to toss and buy new. The "Greener" "Smarter" fridge seems headed in that direction. It's a situation made worse by manufacturers holding back information. Without these forums, I would never have guessed about the need to replace a fan motor and a circuit board as a unit, when basic testing showed no problem with either one!

BRN..

Hi Brian,

Installed new control board and new condenser fan on Friday and the frige is running like a champ. Thanks to you and others for your helpful info. I am still not convinced you need to install a new fan motor with a new control board given that the old fan checked out resistance-wise just like the new one, but I didn't want to take the risk of not doing so.

Barc