Brand: GE
Model Number:GNE27JMMNES Bottom Freezer Refrigerator
Main Symptom: Buzzing noise, freezer cold but not freezing
What happens & when: The noise is coming from the back of the freezer. I have cleaned dust buildup at the back and around the coils I could reach. The fridge is level, seals around doors are good. I emptied the fridge and freezer and noticed some ice buildup each side of the fan housing at the back of the freezer (interior). I let it defrost, restarted the fridge 2 days ago and the freezer is still not keeping food frozen, and most of the time there is a buzzing noise.
Error Code (if any):
Parts or tests already tried:
Photos / video link:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OOZefUty1sKLiAbO1rKGlO6N4h8wxIn_/view?usp=sharing
Hi freethrope, after looking at this again, that buzzing or humming noise is definitely coming from your evaporator fan motor, not the compressor. Sorry for the confusion earlier.
I would start by checking the evaporator fan motor and fan blade. Make sure there isn’t any ice buildup or anything else preventing the blade from turning freely. If the blade spins freely but the motor is still buzzing, humming, or struggling to run, the evaporator fan motor will most likely need to be replaced.
While you’re in that area, I would also check the drain underneath the evaporator and make sure it isn’t clogged or frozen. That drain carries the defrost water down into the drip pan underneath the refrigerator.
After repairing or replacing the evaporator fan motor, turn the refrigerator back on and make sure the fan starts running properly. That fan is important because it circulates the cold air from the evaporator throughout the refrigerator.
lets us know what you find
In the video it shows how in just 2 days ice had built up each side of the fan in the back of the freezer, I had difficulty removing the cover and the 2 photos of the fan show there is ice buildup just under the fan, I wonder if maybe the fan blades were scraping this and that is what I could hear sometimes. There was no water leakage in the bottom of the freezer or on the kitchen floor.
I’m not sure if the video I uploaded has worked so I’m adding these photos to show the ice buildup that happened in 2 days after switching the refrigerator on again, the ice made it difficult to remove the cover the see the fan, there was also ice impacted under the fan.
Update: The fridge has been turned off 36 hours and all the interior ice has melted, I removed the back cover and the drip tray was overflowing. I removed the drainage tube, no blockage, poked something up the tube where the drainage tube had connected, it went 8" clear no blockage. I have turned the fridge back on and so far so good. It isn’t making the loud noise like it did before. I will watch it over the next day or two to see if there is any ice accumulation again.
awesome if it builds up again its going to be the evap motor going bad
