How to replace a GE refrigerator main control board WR49X10152

Is your GE refrigerator failing to keep things cool, leaving you puzzled about where things went wrong? Don’t worry, a malfunctioning main control board might just be the culprit, and we’re here to guide you through a simple replacement process. Keep reading to uncover our step-by-step guide complete with a how-to video that will get your fridge back to perfect working order in no time!

The main control board is the brain of your GE refrigerator and manages key functions related to defrost cycles and compressor operation. If your fridge isn’t cooling correctly or a part is operating intermittently, the main control board may need to be replaced.

Replacing a control board is fairly straightforward and should take about an hour. Today we’ll walk through the process of replacing GE main control board so you can get your GE refrigerator cool again.

If you need to order part WR49X10152 or any other replacement part for your appliances, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com. We offer over two million parts and most orders arrive in two business days.

WATCH: How to install GE Main Control Board WR49X10152

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.

What you need

Before you start digging into your GE refrigerator, make sure you have these materials ready and nearby:

• New GE main control board WR49X10152
• Quarter-inch nut driver
• Flathead screwdriver
• Camera, phone or notepad and writing utensil to note wire harness connections

READ MORE: Why It’s Best to Choose OEM Over Aftermarket Parts for Appliance Repairs

Keep safety first

Safety should be your top priority when working on any appliance. Always unplug your appliance or switch off the breaker before making a repair. This will prevent any electrical mishaps during the process.

READ MORE: How to clean and maintain your refrigerator’s water dispenser

How to replace the main control board

Access the board

The main control board assembly is usually located behind an access panel and several inches above the rear service compartment of your GE refrigerator.

1. Pull the refrigerator out so you can access the back.
2. On the rear right side of the fridge, use a quarter-inch nut driver to remove the screws holding the service compartment’s access panel in place.
3. Set the panel aside once it’s detached.
4. With the panel removed, you can now see the main control board and its wire harness connections.

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Disconnect the wire harnesses

Before removing the old main control board, you’ll need to detach all electrical connections.

1. Take pictures or make notes of the wiring on the board to use as a reference when reinstalling the part.
2. Find several modular wire harness plugs connecting to ports along the left and right sides of the board.
3. Start on the left and carefully detach each harness plug, one at a time. Some plugs have locking tabs that must be pressed inwards to release. If needed, you can use a flathead screwdriver as a wedge that can be slightly rotated to move the locking tabs so you can pull the wires free.
4. With all wire harness plugs removed, swing them out of the way to clear space.

Remove the mounting pins and faulty control board

With the wire harnesses disconnected, you can now detach the main control board from its mounting pins.

1. Find the four plastic mounting pins, one in each corner of the control board.
2. Use a flathead screwdriver to press in the locking tabs and pull back each pin.
3. Once all four mounting pins are released, you can fully detach and remove the main control board.

Install the new control board

We’re going to install the new control board by reversing the removal steps:

1. Position the new control board over its mounting location and line up the holes with the four corner pins.
2. Push the board down to lock it into position on the pins. Make sure it’s fully seated.
3. Reconnect each of the wire harness plugs, taking care to properly orient them. Listen for clicking as they engage. Use the reference pictures you took earlier if you need to.
4. Position the wire harnesses neatly along the sides so they don’t get pinched later on.

Replace the access panel

Now we can button up the repair by replacing the rear service compartment access panel:

1. Align the panel into position and insert the mounting screws using a quarter-inch nut driver.
2. Be sure to capture the grounding wire on one of the upper middle screws. Tighten down all screws securely.

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Power up and test the refrigerator

With the new control board installed, we’re ready to restore power and check for normal operation:

1. Plug the refrigerator power cord back in or switch the circuit breaker back on.
2. Allow several minutes for the compressor and interior fans to start up.
3. Monitor refrigerator performance to make sure it maintains desired interior temperatures.

If any issues persist, double-check all wire harness connections against your original photos. With the new main control board properly installed, your GE refrigerator should now be back to cooling and operating normally.

READ MORE: How To Deep Clean Your Refrigerator

More Information

Thanks for reading! We hope this article helped you replace the main control board in your GE refrigerator.

If you still need some replacement parts, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com. 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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