How to replace the Whirlpool refrigerator condenser fan motor kit

Is your refrigerator making strange noises or struggling to keep cool? A faulty condenser fan motor could be the culprit, and it’s more common than you think! Don’t worry—in just a few simple steps, you can swap it out yourself, and we’ve even included a handy how-to video below to guide you through the process.

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

The condenser fan motor is responsible for providing air flow near the compressor to cool down the compressor and condenser coils which allows the refrigerator to cool the interior. Over time, the motor may become noisy, stop working completely, or cause the refrigerator’s temperature to rise. 

The good news is that this repair is relatively straightforward and should only take a few minutes to complete. So, let’s get started and learn how to replace the fan motor!

Watch here: How To: Whirlpool/KitchenAid/Maytag Condenser Fan Motor Kit 833697

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
• Pliers 
• Wire cutter/stripper

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

1. To access the part, you need to go to the back of the refrigerator and remove the rear cover panel.
2. Use the quarter-inch nut driver to remove the six screws that hold the rear cover panel in place. Use the pliers to disconnect the power cord and remove the cover panel.
3. Press the locking tab and disconnect the power plug from the motor.
4. Use the nut driver to remove the three screws that hold the motor in place. Move the mounting brackets out of the way and remove the old motor with the fan blade. Use the pliers to unscrew the locking nut counterclockwise and remove the fan blade.
5. Clean the fan blade with soap and water if necessary.
6. If the grommets from the old motor are in good condition, transfer them to the new motor, otherwise replace them with new parts also.
7. Screw the fan blade onto the new motor and tighten it with the pliers by turning the locking nut clockwise.
8. Place the motor and fan blade back into position and reattach the mounting brackets using the provided screws. Start with the top one and don’t tighten them fully yet.
9. Place the jumper wire on and secure the third bracket.
10. Tighten all the screws so that everything is securely in place.
11. Check the instructions provided with the new motor to see how to connect it to the existing wire. Follow the specified instructions for your model. 
12. Put the rear cover panel back in place and secure it with the six screws.
13. Use the pliers to secure the power cord in place.
14. Move the fridge back into place, restore power and make sure the condenser fan motor is running.

Additional information

Thanks for reading! We hope this guide helped you replace the condenser fan motor kit on your Whirlpool 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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