How to replace the condenser fan motor on a Frigidaire refrigerator
Steven E / Thursday May 1, 2025
Is your Frigidaire refrigerator not keeping your food as cool as it should? The culprit may be a worn-out condenser fan motor, but there’s no need to panic. Our step-by-step guide, complete with a handy how-to video below, will help you fix it yourself and restore your fridge’s cooling prowess in no time!
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The condenser fan motor on a Frigidaire Refrigerator is responsible for cooling off the condenser coil and compressor, providing efficient cooling in both compartments of your refrigerator. Over time, the motor may wear out or become faulty, resulting in inadequate cooling and a lack of airflow from under the refrigerator.
Don’t worry, this repair is relatively simple and should only take a few minutes to complete. By following the step-by-step instructions provided, you’ll be able to replace the condenser fan motor yourself without a costly service fee and restore cooling to your Frigidaire Refrigerator in no time.
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPnNsaaBRqg
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’ll need
- 1/4″ nut driver
- socket wrench with a 1/4″ head
- socket wrench with 3/8″ head and a long extension
- needle nose pliers
Safety precautions
- Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before attempting any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by preventing any risk of injury from electric shock.
- Don’t test wiring with a multimeter for live voltage if you’re unfamiliar with how to prevent short circuiting when testing.
- When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
- Take your time and don’t rush while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries.
- Work in a well-lit area so you can clearly see and access the interior parts.
- Clear your workspace of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
- Never work on internal parts with bare wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
- Check your user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions for your part or appliance.
- Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause injury.
- Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts, pinching hazards and debris.
- Wear safety glasses when working with chemicals, dust or cleaning large debris to prevent injury.
Replacement steps
- To access the motor, you need to remove the access panel on the back of the fridge. Use a quarter-inch nut driver to remove the screws holding the access panel in place.
- Once the screws are removed, pull the access panel straight up and out to remove it.
- Remove the two 3/8 screws, one on each corner of the motor. Use a 3/8 socket wrench with a long extension to reach above the condenser coil.
- Remove the first screw at the front of the motor, and then move to the second screw at the back.
- After removing the screws, change the extension and head of your wrench. Use a quarter-inch short socket on your wrench.
- Remove the three quarter-inch screws that hold the motor in place. Begin with the screw at the back and work your way forward.
- Once the screws are removed, disconnect the motor plug. Press down the locking tab on the plug and pull it apart.
- Move the bracket that holds the motor to the side.
- Use needle-nose pliers to pry the fan blade off the motor shaft slowly.
- Take your new motor and install the fan blade onto the shaft. Push it in so that it sticks out about a quarter of an inch.
- Install the motor and fan blade into the frame. Align the holes and mount the motor.
- Start by inserting and tightening the top screw, then use a socket wrench to secure it.
- Plug in the new motor, ensuring that it clicks to indicate it is locked in place.
- Install the two screws to secure the motor in place. Align the holes and use the needle-nose pliers to insert the screws.
- Use the 3/8 head with a long extension on your wrench to tighten the screws manually.
- Move to the front hole and repeat the process of dropping the screw in and tightening it slightly before using the ratchet to fully tighten it.
- Tighten both screws using the ratchet.
- Place the access panel back on, ensuring that it aligns with the cutout for the power cord.
- Secure the panel with the corresponding screws.
- Plug the fridge back in and make sure it’s cooling properly.
Congratulations on completing the condenser fan motor replacement in your refrigerator!
Additional information
Thanks for reading! We hope this guide helped you replace the condenser fan motor on your Frigidaire 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.
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With nearly a decade of experience in providing top-notch customer service regarding appliance parts and repair, Steven enjoys sharing practical advice, troubleshooting tips, and interesting information to help readers stay informed.