Whirlpool Fridge/Freezer Noise

G’day all,

I’ve got a Whirlpool Gold fridge and freezer. For the last few months it’s been making this horrible noise. The noise lasts about 10 minutes (whilst the fan is running) and there is about a ten minute break after it stops until it starts again.

The nature of the noise is fairly low frequency. The amplitude definitely pulses with time, a little slower than once per second. I recorded a video of it here:
Whirlpool Gold Fridge Noise - YouTube

The video makes it sound much more ‘rattly’ than it does in real life. In real life it sounds more like a grinding noise, whilst the video sounds like contact noise.

I’ve pulled the backing board off the rear of the fridge. Nothing noticeably wrong besides a lot of dust. Cleaned that with a vacuum and air compressor.

I thought it might have been the fan hitting something, but when the noise is not occurring I can spin the fan freely and it makes no noise.

If anyone has any suggestions I’d be very grateful.

Cheers,
James

Unplug the fan if the noise disappears then replace the fan motor.

Check that all the fan blades are good and that they are clean.
A bent blade or dirty fan blades can cause it to run unbalanced.

Spinning the fan blade is not a definitive test as you are not putting any force on it that is there when it is powered up.

Thanks Denman,

Is it safe to run the fridge without the fan whilst diagnosing?

Yes just do not leave it running too long.