How to replace the convection fan motor on a Whirlpool gas range

The convection fan motor in a Whirlpool gas range helps provide even air circulation for convection baking and roasting. Over time, the motor can fail from normal wear and tear. If your oven’s convection fan motor has failed, then the oven won’t work correctly in convection mode. Your food may only be partially cooked and you might hear grinding or clicking sounds coming from the back of your oven.

If you continue to use a bad convection fan motor, you increase the risk of running into cooking problems. You’ll want to replace the motor at the first sign of issues.

Let’s walk through the process of checking and replacing the convection fan motor on your Whirlpool gas range. Replacing the motor yourself can help you save the cost of a service call and get your oven functioning correctly again.

If you find out that you need a replacement part while you’re working on it, you can enter your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com to order one. You can also find convection fan motor replacement kits here. Most orders arrive in just two business days.

Disclaimer: The part replacement information provided in this article is based on general service manuals and may not apply to your specific appliance model. While we strive to offer helpful advice for DIY appliance repairs, variations in models and configurations can lead to differences in troubleshooting steps, error codes and part replacements. For the most accurate guidance, we strongly recommend consulting the technical sheet for your specific appliance model.

What you need

• Socket set/wrench set – for removing the screws that hold the fan motor in place and to remove the mounting nuts that hold the fan motor to the oven frame.
• Pliers – for removing the wires from the old fan motor and connecting them to the new fan motor. Needle-nose pliers are recommended.
• Multimeter – for testing the old motor and wiring.
• Work light – to illuminate the work area so you can see the screws, wires, and other parts.
• Safety gloves – to protect your hands from the sharp edges of metal parts when removing and installing the fan motor.

Read more: How To Use A Multimeter To Check Appliance Parts

Safety precautions

When working on any appliance, always keep safety first to avoid personal injury or damage to the appliance or parts. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind when repairing or replacing a convection fan motor:

• 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 electric shock.
• Switch off the gas supply.
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time to cool down before working on it.
• Take your time and don’t rush while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries.
• Work in a well-lit area to clearly see and access appliance parts.
• Keep your workspace free of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check the user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions related to your appliance or replacement part.
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause personal injury.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts and debris.
• 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.
• Consider wearing safety glasses and/or a dust mask when working with chemicals, dust or a large amount of debris to prevent irritation or injury.

Read more: 6 tips to safely cook with a gas range

How to tell if you have a bad motor

Before you attempt to replace the fan motor, you should test it to determine if it’s actually faulty. This helps you avoid replacing a motor that’s still working properly, which can save you time and money.

Some symptoms that the motor may be faulty:

• The convection fan won’t spin or it circulates air very slowly when convection bake or roast modes are selected.
• An uneven grinding or clicking noise can be heard from the back of the oven when it’s in convection mode. This is usually the first sign that the bearings inside the motor are wearing out.
• Food takes much longer to fully bake or roast than the estimated cooking times listed in recipes. The reduced or inconsistent airflow may make it harder for the hot air to circulate and cook all areas of the food. Meats may burn on the outside but still be raw in the center.

How to test the motor with a multimeter:

1. Disconnect power from the range by unplugging it and/or switching off the circuit breaker.
2. Turn off the gas supply.
3. Set the multimeter to the Rx1 scale. This scale is used to measure the resistance between the terminals of the convection fan motor.
4. Find the convection fan motor on the back of the range behind the back panel.
5. Identify the terminals where the wires are connected.
6. Touch the multimeter test leads to the terminals where the wires are connected.
7. If the motor is good, the multimeter should show 8 to 12 ohms (Ω) of resistance. Please note that this is a general range, and that there can be some differences depending on the specific appliance model. Anything outside that range means the motor needs to be replaced.

Read more: Gas Range Not Heating Evenly: Top 4 Reasons and Fixes

How to replace the motor

Remove the old motor

1. Turn off the gas and electrical power supply to the range.
2. Open the oven door and install hinge removal pins in the hinge hangers. You can use an Allen Wrench or small screwdriver in place of the pin kit if one isn’t available for your model.
3. Close the door and lift it slightly to remove the hinge hangers from the slots. Be careful not to lift the door by its handle.
4. Remove the racks from inside the oven.
5. Inside the oven, remove the three screws from the convection cover and take out the cover from the rear of the oven liner. Note the location of the notch in the cover so you can reinstall it correctly.
6. Remove the two screws from the convection bake element and pull it forward to access the terminals.
7. Disconnect the wires from the element terminals.
8. Use a 10 mm (7/16-inch) socket to remove the hex nut from the convection fan. The nut has a left-rotation thread, so be sure to turn it clockwise.
9. Remove the three front convection fan motor screws from the back of the oven liner.
10. Pull the range away from the wall to access the rear panel. Remove the two screws from the top and bottom braces and take out the braces from the range.
11. Remove the eight screws from the rear panel and remove the panel from the range.
12. Remove the two convection fan motor mounting screws.
13. Disconnect the wires and pull the old motor out of the oven.

Whirlpool 814381 Door Removal Pin Kit (AP3066060) – AppliancePartsPros.com

Install the new fan motor

1. Connect the wires to the new fan motor and mount it to the oven using the screws provided. Make sure the motor is securely attached and the wires are not tangled or pinched.
2. Reconnect the wires to the terminals and check that they’re securely fastened.
3. Reinstall the convection heating element and cover.
4. Reinstall the door by grasping the sides of the door and tilting it back at a slight angle.
5. Insert the hinge hangers into the hinge slots as far as they will go.
6. Rotate the top of the door towards the range so the hinge hangers fit onto the support pins.
7. Close the oven door as far as the pins will allow, and make sure that the hinge hangers are fully seated on the support pins. If they aren’t seated correctly, the door won’t close tightly and may be off-center. To seat the hinge hangers, open the door slightly and push in on the bottom until the hangers are fully seated.
8. Open the oven door and remove the two hinge hanger pins.
9. Close the oven door completely and check its alignment.
10. Reconnect the power and test the oven to make sure it’s working correctly.

Additional information

Thanks for reading! We hope this article helped you replace the convection fan motor in your Whirlpool gas range.

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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