What does the Fan Fan do on a refrigerator?
Refrigerator Evaporator Fan. It functions to receive the air coming from the evaporator coil and proceeds to circulate the air into the whole unit. It functions closely with the damper assembly of your refrigerator that is responsible with controlling how much cold air gets to be distributed into the fresh food compartment of your refrigerator.
What happens when the evaporator fan in a freezer stops working?
The evaporator fan in a freezer blows air across the evaporator and through the freezer cabinet to cool the freezer. If the fan stops working, the freezer warms up.
Can you replace the fan in a freezer compartment?
freezer compartment fans are easy to replace. Related Articles. The fan in the freezer compartment of a refrigerator affects the operational efficiency of the refrigerator. The cold air to the whole refrigerator originates in the freezer compartment and then is circulated downward with the assistance of the freezer compartment fan.
Why does my freezer turn off when I open the door?
If the freezer is cold, there likely isn’t an issue with the evaporator fan motor. Most freezers don’t run the evaporator fan motor when the door is open, so if the fan does work, it will turn off when you open the door. Check the temperature setting on the freezer to be sure it’s on cold.
What happens if the fan in the freezer stops working?
If the fan stops, the temperature of the refrigerant will rise and the compressor may overheat. Eventually, the food may spoil.
Does the fan in a freezer always run?
Most freezers don't run the evaporator fan motor when the door is open, so if the fan does work, it will turn off when you open the door. Check the temperature setting on the freezer to be sure it's on cold.
When should the fan be on in the freezer?
The evaporator coils are usually located behind the freezer compartment, and the evaporator fan should be right in front of them, although it may be offset to one side or the other. The fan should come on whenever the compressor cycles on. If it doesn't, the refrigerator won't get cool enough to preserve your food.
Why is there a fan in the freezer?
One is under the refrigerator to cool the compressor and force air through the exterior coils. The second is inside and moves air around the coils inside the refrigerator. This second fan helps provide more even cooling, and also aids in the defrost process.
Does freezer fan turn off?
Do freezer fans stop? The refrigerator fan will stop working if the temperature in the fridge is correct. However, if the thermostat that reads the temperature has issues, it can cause the fan to stop working. You will need to gain access to and test the continuity of the thermostat and possibly replace it.
How can I tell if my freezer fan is working?
Open the freezer and depress the light switch on the door. Listen to your refrigerator; there is a fan located at the back of freezer which circulates air throughout the freezer. Make sure this fan is audible. Check the fan at five-minute intervals; it does not run during cooling cycles.
How do I know if my evaporator fan is not working?
1:573:57Troubleshooting Evaporator Fan Problems in Refrigerators - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe need to check the wire supplying power to the fan using a multimeter for safety always make sureMoreWe need to check the wire supplying power to the fan using a multimeter for safety always make sure the refrigerator is unplugged before checking continuity remove the electronic control board drop
How do I know if my evaporator fan is working?
1:442:22How to Test an Evaporator Fan in a Freezer | HD Supply - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWith your meter set to ohms check between the two terminals of the coil.MoreWith your meter set to ohms check between the two terminals of the coil.
Does the freezer fan cool the fridge?
5 Reasons Why the Fridge Is Not Cold But the Freezer Is Evaporator fan: Every refrigerator contains a set of coils called an evaporator, which makes the inside of the fridge cold. A small fan and motor are mounted near the evaporator, helping draw air over the coils and circulate it to the fridge and freezer.
Does the freezer fan cool the refrigerator?
It is standard to find that most refrigerators use a fan to move cold air that is in the freezer into the evaporator. Then that air is pushed into the refrigerator area to keep it at a cool temperature. When this fan is not functioning properly, your freezer may seem fine, but your refrigerator will seem warm.
Why is my freezer not freezing?
If your freezer is not working, the first thing to check is if the shelves are packed too tightly. Overstuffed freezers can cause airflow blockage especially when the evaporator fan is blocked. If your freezer is not cold enough, we recommend clearing off your freezer shelves.
How do I know if my freezer fan is working?
1:412:22How to Test an Evaporator Fan in a Freezer | HD Supply - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow it is ready for testing. When testing the evaporator fan first ensure that the fan blade isMoreNow it is ready for testing. When testing the evaporator fan first ensure that the fan blade is spinning freely and it's not sticking next always check the bushings on both sides the front in the back
Does a freezer compressor run all the time?
For refrigerators and freezers to maintain the proper temperature, the compressor will run much of the time. Refrigerators and freezers have compressors that are designed to run 80% to 90% of the time.
How often does refrigerator fan run?
Newer fridges are also more energy-efficient, so they don't have to cycle as much. As a general rule of thumb, though, most refrigerators should cycle about every two hours.
Why does my freezer motor keeps running?
If your frost-free freezer is constantly running, but is not cold enough, there may be an issue with the defrost timer. This type of freezer has a defrost heater to keep frost from building up on the evaporator coil. The defrost timer cycles the heater on when it is needed to defrost the evaporator.
How does a refrigerator fan affect the operation of the refrigerator?
The fan in the freezer compartment of a refrigerator affects the operational efficiency of the refrigerator. The cold air to the whole refrigerator originates in the freezer compartment and then is circulated downward with the assistance of the freezer compartment fan.
How to check if a refrigerator fan is working?
To check for the presence of voltage, set your digital or analog multimeter to its AC voltage function and attach the test leads using alligator clips. Position the test leads so the clips do not touch each other or the refrigerator cabinet. Plug the refrigerator in and note the meter reading. It should read 120 volts. A reading of zero volts means that there is no voltage reaching the fan motor. Unplug the refrigerator again before continuing the troubleshooting.
What does a zero volt refrigerator mean?
Plug the refrigerator in and note the meter reading. It should read 120 volts. A reading of zero volts means that there is no voltage reaching the fan motor. Unplug the refrigerator again before continuing the troubleshooting.
Why is there no voltage in my refrigerator fan motor?
No voltage reaching the fan motor could be caused by a broken wire between the fan motor and the thermostatic control, but broken wires are rare. To check for a broken wire, remove the thermostatic control from the refrigerator cabinet and take continuity reading between both ends of the wires. If the wires check out OK, replace ...
Why isn't my evaporator fan running?
In many cases the problem is do to the fact that the evaporator fan cannot operate freely due to an ice buildup on the fan blades.
Why does my evaporator fan burn out?
Evaporator fan motors draw very little current and have a long life-cycle, but they can burn themselves out if their fan blade becomes jammed and unable to rotate. If the fan blade rotates freely, but the fan does not run, disconnect the fan wires at the fan and check for continuity through the motor windings using digital or analog multimeter. ...
What to do if fan blades are bent?
If the problem is bent fan blades, replace the fan blade. Do not try to straighten the blade because it will be out of balance. Sometimes the problem is a buildup of dirt in the motor bearings and a good shot of penetrating oil can solve the problem.
How to know if evaporator fan is damaged?
However, you will know when your evaporator fan has been damaged because it will affect the performance of your compressor. If the evaporator fan stops turning, the cold control sensing bulbs of your fresh food compartment will notice that there is no more air flow. The sensing bulbs will signal the compressor to work longer to compensate for ...
What is the function of the damper assembly on a refrigerator?
It functions closely with the damper assembly of your refrigerator that is responsible for controlling how much cold air gets to be distributed into the fresh food compartment of your refrigerator.
What happens if you don't defrost your refrigerator?
When you do not defrost your refrigerator properly, the evaporator may ice up and cause an obstruction in the blades. Before you have somebody take a look at your refrigerator, switch off the power and open up your evaporator fan to check that there are no blockages preventing the movement of the fan blades.
Why do sensing bulbs work?
The sensing bulbs will signal the compressor to work longer to compensate for the lack of air flow. What ultimately happens is that your evaporator coils will freeze over hence increasing the temperature of your freezer.
Why does my refrigerator fan not stop running?
A lot of factors can determine whether or not a refrigerator’s fan will be running, but the most common reason for why a fridge runs its cooling fan without stopping is because of heat from food being stored in the freezer.
What happens if my fridge is turned off?
If your fridge has been turned off but still plugged into an outlet, then chances are good that its cooling system will continue working even though it won’t be actively cooled by ice cubes anymore. This means less wear and tear on components like fans which could lead to longer life spans overall for your appliance!
How cold does a refrigerator need to be to work?
In order for a refrigerator’s compressor (the thing responsible for cooling) to work, the temperature of an appliance needs to drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This is why it’s crucial that you routinely check on your freezer and adjust its settings as needed in order for the compressor to turn off.
Do fans turn on automatically?
It is not necessary for the fan to be running constantly as long as there are no major changes in temperature within the unit itself. If there is an increase in heat or humidity, then yes, it will turn on automatically without any input from us humans!
Should you keep the doors closed in a refrigerator?
And of course, you should always keep the doors closed to minimize air flow and temperature changes in your fridge .
What happens if the evaporator fan stops working?
The evaporator fan in a freezer blows air across the evaporator and through the freezer cabinet to cool the freezer. If the fan stops working, the freezer warms up. Replace a broken evaporator fan with the manufacturer-approved freezer part.
How to restore power to freezer?
Plug in the freezer or turn on the house circuit breaker to restore power.
How long does it take to repair a freezer evaporator?
Repair difficulty. Time required. 45 minutes or less.
How long can you leave a freezer without power?
Tip: Move highly perishable food to a cooler or other cooled space. The freezer will be without power for about 45 minutes, which shouldn't affect most frozen foods. 02.
How long does it take to replace a freezer control panel?
This DIY repair guide and video show how to replace a freezer control panel in less than 15 minutes. Repair difficulty. Time required. 15 minutes or less.
How long does it take to replace a thermistor in a freezer?
Follow these step-by-step instructions to replace a defective freezer thermistor. Repair difficulty. Time required. 45 minutes or less.
What is the fan in a refrigerator called?
It draws in warm air from all sections of your refrigerator and blows it across the EVAPORATOR, or "COOLING COILS". This fan is called the EVAPORATOR FAN. As the air flows across the outside of the evaporator, it gives up its excess heat to Freon circulating inside the evaporator. The Freon in the evaporator runs at a very cold temperature, ...
How does a refrigerator keep things cool?
In thinking about the way your refrigerator keeps things cool, there are a few seat-of-the-pants thermodynamic laws that you need to consider: 1) Don't think of your refrigerator as MAKING THINGS COLD. Think of it as REMOVING HEAT from whatever you put in it. TO something of a LOWER temperature. The greater the temperature difference, ...
How does a terminating thermostat work?
Eventually it will evaporate away. If all the frost melts before the defrost timer finishes the defrost cycle, a TERMINATING THERMOSTAT will keep the defrost heater from overheating the evaporator compartment. It is wired in series with the heater. When the compartment reaches a certain temperature, the terminating thermostat will open and shut off the defrost heater.
How long does it take for a refrigerator to stop defrosting?
To prevent too much frost from collecting on the evaporator coils, a self-defrosting refrigerator will actually stop itself for a few minutes every six to twelve hours or so, and melt its own frost.
Why does my fridge keep getting colder?
As the food in the fridge gets colder, it gives off less heat, and the air inside the fridge will remain colder. A thermostat called a COLD CONTROL will cycle the cooling system on and off to keep the temperature inside your fridge within a certain range.
What happens when you open the door to put food in the fridge?
However, when you opened that door to put the food into the fridge, you also let in a big charge of warm, relatively moist (humid) air. The evaporator is SO cold that the humidity from the air will freeze directly onto it, creating FROST. If enough frost builds up on the evaporator, air will not be able to flow across it.
How does heat flow?
TO something of a LOWER temperature. The greater the temperature difference, the faster the heat flow. 3) Heat will continue to flow from the warmer object to the colder object. until their temperatures are equal.
Where is the fan on a refrigerator?
Find the location of the freezer fan for your model; freezer boxes that are located under or beside the refrigerator have fans in the upper half of the back wall, while upright refrigerators with the freezer on top might place the fan anywhere on the back wall.
How does a refrigerator work?
Refrigerators rely on a cycle of heating and evaporation to stay cool. Liquid refrigerant is heated until it exceeds room temperature, then it is allowed to evaporate. Depending on the size of your refrigerator, it might have one or more fans that facilitate this process by cooling the compressor, where the refrigerant is pressurized ...
How long to wait to freeze a frozen ice cream?
Empty the freezer. Place a glass of water in each corner of the freezer. Wait one to two hours. Examine the development of frost and ice on these glasses to see if you have a corner that is warmer or cooler than the rest.
How long does it take for a freezer fan to kick on?
The freezer light should turn off and the evaporator fan should kick on after a few seconds. If it turns on, you should be able to clearly hear the electric motor activate and then a low hum from the fan spinning. If the fan motor does not turn on while you hold the switch, the motor is probably bad.
Where is the evaporator fan located on a freezer?
The evaporator fan motor is located behind the rear panel of the freezer, but before you can access that panel, you’ll need to unscrew the hardware holding any air ducts in place on the back of the freezer, and then slide them out. Set the ducts and mounting hardware aside someplace safe.
What happens if the evaporator motor stops working?
If the evaporator fan motor stops working, your freezer will begin to defrost. Open the freezer door and feel for cool air with your hand. If the freezer isn’t working, you should be able to tell quickly. If the freezer is cold, there likely isn’t an issue with the evaporator fan motor.
Why is my freezer not cold?
If your freezer isn’t as cold as it should be, there might be a problem with your evaporator fan motor. Locate the door switch that’s pressed when the door is closed. Hold this down and listen for the motor starting. If the fan motor doesn’t start while you hold the switch, it’s probably broken.
How to fix a freezer that won't turn on?
1. Open the freezer door and look for light. If your freezer is equipped with an internal light bulb, it should turn on when you open the door. If it doesn’t, the problem may be that the freezer isn’t getting power, rather than an issue with the evaporator fan motor. Make sure the freezer is plugged in tightly.
How long does it take for a refrigerator to thaw?
If you find frost over all the coils, leave the refrigerator unplugged for 24-48 hours to thaw and then plug it in again. If the freezer works again after it’s been thawed, the problem is not the evaporator fan motor. Other issues it could be include a stuck condenser fan or a bad relay.
What does it mean when an evaporator fan is going bad?
Listen for a squeal or chirp sound. If the evaporator fan motor is going bad, it may still run while making a high pitched sound that may come and go. If you hear that sort of sound, something may be caught in the fan blades or the motor may be dying.
