How to replace GE Freezer Evaporator Fan Motor and Felt Seal

Is your GE refrigerator’s freezer leaving your ice cream soupier than you’d like? When the evaporator fan motor or felt seal falters, it can cause your freezer’s temperature to creep up into the danger zone. Fortunately, with our step-by-step guide and an accompanying how-to video, restoring your fridge’s chill factor is a DIY project you can tackle with confidence!

Looking for the right part? Enter your appliance model number below to find the exact match and get your appliance running like new again!

Having issues with your GE refrigerator’s freezer not cooling properly? The evaporator fan motor and felt seal play a critical role in circulating cold air throughout the freezer compartment. If the fan motor is failing or the felt seal is damaged, warm air can seep in causing the freezer temps to rise. Replacing these parts is an easy DIY fix to get your freezer back down to the proper temperature. In this repair guide, we’ll walk through the full process of replacing the freezer evaporator fan motor and felt seal on a GE refrigerator.

You can find a replacement evaporator fan motor and felt seal WR60X10352. If you need other replacement parts for your GE refrigerator just enter your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com to find them. It’s that easy! Most orders arrive in just two business days, and we have thousands of guides to show you how to install your new parts.

Watch the full repair here!

The information in this article may not apply to your specific appliance model. We recommend consulting your manufacturer’s documentation or contact us with any questions.

Symptoms indicating replacement is needed

How do you know when it’s time to replace your freezer’s evaporator fan motor and felt seal? Here are a few signs:

• The freezer is silent, indicating the fan is not running.
• There’s little to no airflow in the freezer compartment.
• The temperature in the freezer is higher than the set value.

If you notice any of these issues, it’s time to inspect and possibly replace the evaporator fan motor and felt seal.

Materials needed

• A 3/8-inch socket wrench with an extension
• A flat-blade screwdriver
• A replacement fan motor and felt seal (WR60X10352)

Safety precautions   

Safety should always be a priority when working on any appliance. Here are a few practical tips to help you stay safe:

• Turn off the power to the appliance by unplugging it or switching off the circuit breaker before starting any maintenance or repairs. This protects you from the risk of electric shock.
• Wear insulated gloves to shield your hands from sharp edges, pinching hazards, or debris.
• Work at a steady pace and take your time to avoid accidents or injuries.
• Make sure your workspace is well-lit so you can clearly see and access the parts you’re working on.
• Keep the area clear of clutter, and ensure children and pets stay out of the workspace.
• Never handle internal parts with wet hands. Check that both your hands and the work area are completely dry.
• Refer to your appliance’s user manual for any specific instructions or safety guidelines related to the part or repair.
• Handle parts gently to avoid damage to the appliance or potential injuries from applying too much force.
• Use safety glasses when dealing with chemicals, dust, or large debris to protect your eyes from harm.
• If the appliance was recently used, give it enough time to cool down before working on any heated components.
• Take photos or notes of wiring connections and terminals before disconnecting anything to make reassembly easier.
• Avoid touching exposed wires or terminals. If you must handle wires, use non-conductive tools or wear insulated gloves to minimize the risk of electrical shock.

Step-by-step replacement guide

Preparation

Safety first: Ensure your refrigerator is unplugged or the circuit breaker is off. This precaution eliminates the risk of electric shock during the repair process.

Removing the freezer door

1. Open the freezer door and remove the drawer by sliding it out. This step provides clear access to the components that need replacement.
2. Use the 3/8-inch socket wrench to remove the bolts that secure the freezer door. There are typically three bolts on each side.
3. Carefully lift off the freezer door and push in the door rails to prevent them from obstructing your workspace.

Removing freezer drawers and rails

With the freezer door removed, the next step is to remove the freezer drawers. Simply pull each drawer out and lift it off its rails. Then, push in the rails to maximize working space within the freezer compartment.

Accessing the evaporator man motor

The evaporator fan motor is located behind the rear cover panel in the freezer compartment. To access it:

1. Use a flat screwdriver to pry off the cover. Insert the screwdriver into the opening and gently push up to release the cover.
2. Once the cover is loose, pull it down slightly and remove it, revealing the evaporator fan motor.

Disconnecting and removing the old motor

1. Locate the motor’s electrical connector. Squeeze the side tabs and pull it down to disconnect.
2. Free the wiring harness from its holder to allow removal of the motor.
3. Release the tabs securing the motor in place. There’s one tab on the side and two more on the frame. Open the side tab first, then pull the motor frame out while sliding it sideways.

Preparing the new motor

Before installing the new motor, you’ll need to attach the felt seal. This seal ensures proper airflow and insulation within the freezer compartment. Align the cutouts on the felt seal with those on the motor frame, peel off the backing, and secure the seal in place. If there are any excess parts of the felt that don’t fit, simply bend them to ensure a snug fit.

Continuing from the preparation of the new motor, let’s proceed with the installation and the final steps of the process.

Installing the new motor

1. Insert the new motor into the bracket: Start by positioning one side of the motor into the bracket. Then, press the opposite side in until it clicks into place, indicating that it is securely locked.
2. Secure the wiring harness: Slide the motor’s wiring harness under the retainer to prevent it from moving. This step is crucial to ensure the fan operates without any hindrance.
3. Reconnect the electrical connector: Plug the connector into the motor. It’s important to ensure a firm connection to restore power to the fan motor.

Reassembling the freezer compartment

1. Position the motor cover: Carefully slide the motor cover back into place. This cover protects the motor and helps direct airflow correctly within the freezer.
2. Secure the cover: Align the side tabs (or “ears”) of the cover and push upwards until they lock into position, securing the cover.
3. Extend the rails out and place the drawers back onto the rails. Ensure that the tips of the beams on the drawers align with the designated cutouts on the rails.
4. For each drawer, align the tabs with the cutouts on the sides, ensuring a proper fit.
5. Lift the freezer door and align it with the hinges at the bottom. Make sure the hooks on the door slide into the cutouts on the rails for a secure fit.
6. Once the door is in place, use the 3/8 inch socket wrench to reattach the bolts on each side of the door, securing it to the refrigerator.
7. Install the freezer drawer: Slide the bottom drawer into place, ensuring it fits into the designated cutouts, securing it within the compartment.

Final steps

1. Close the freezer door: With all components back in place, you can now close the freezer door.
2. Power up: Plug the refrigerator back in or turn the circuit breaker on. It’s crucial to monitor the refrigerator for a while to ensure it reaches the set temperature and that the new evaporator fan motor is operating as expected.

More information

Thanks for reading! We hope this guide helped you replace the evaporator fan motor and felt seal in your GE refrigerator. 

If you still need some replacement parts, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com. We offer over two million parts and most orders arrive in two business days. If you need some help with finding the right part or placing an order, you can contact our team at 1 (877) 477-7278.

While you’re waiting for your new part to arrive, you can explore our DIY blog and watch thousands of video tutorials on our YouTube channel.

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