[FIXED] GE SS Wind Noise

[1275gr]

Hello,
We have a PSI23NGPB WW that emits a subtle sound similar to howling wind. It is about two years old and just started a few days ago. It does not seem to be consistant. In that it does it on some days and not others. The frige itself continues to work flawlessly. Any ideas what mey be going on?

 

[Jake]

Don't know myself, hopefully another tech. or member that knows this sounds can assist you.

Jake

 

[bookkilla]

I'm actually having this same issue. Sounds like the fan above the lamp in the freezer is turning on/off constantly. Have you found any more information on this?

 

[SuperTech]

I am having the exact same problem with my two year old GE side-by-side Model GSS25WGPDWW. The howling sound is intermittent. Oddly enough, I can make it go away for a while by leaving the freezer door open for about five minutes. It is almost as if frost is building up on the fan blades. Does this fan have two speeds? Do I need to replace or tighten the fan, or is this problem being caused by something else, like defrost mode?

 

[SuperTech]

Jake,
Has anything ever been determined about the GE SS Wind Noise?

 

[1275gr]

I find the noise is slightly louder with the freezer door open. The next time I it happens, I'll leave the door open. It actually went away after we cleaned the door seals on both doors but, came back a few days later.

It sounds as if it is actually coming from the back of the unit.

 

[firemonkey]

Mine howls all night long!

You are not alone, there are many posts on various forums reporting the same noises from GE side-by-sides.

Mine produces an incrediby annoying howl for hours at a time. It sounds like it is caused by airflow, almost like blowing into a bottle (only much louder).

Some have suggested that replacing the evaporator motor, located in the freezer at the bottom, behind the panel. This would seem to make sense, and the original post remined me that I did not notice the noise being present when the unit was new (2-3 years). If it were airflow across some sort of part in the evaporator area, I would expect it to make the noice any time the fan is blowing.

I do recall awaking to a slightly ajar freezer door one morning. This required me to empty the freezer and dry everything out. To be sure I had all of the water cleaned up, I went ahead and removed the ice maker, and the panels in the back of the freezer. I recall the noise was being made even with the panel removed, and therefore no significant air movement at all.

I think the fan motor may actually be the cause. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but these fans operate at variable speeds, which would explain the intermittent nature of the noise. The only thing I can imagine is wind noise caused by some sort of damper.

I hate to spend $60 on a new fan motor in vain, but the noise is so loud and annoying its either a going to fix it, or it I am going to take a sledge hammer to it!

For the original poster - take care of it now, because it gets much worse (louder and longer) over time!

 

[firemonkey]

I just spoke to a GE serviceman, while at a little league game. He knew exactly the noise i was talking about, and says it is caused by the control board. There were several models affected by this, and GE is covering the board replacement for a few of them.

The control board regulates the fan speed, and the noise is caused by the board setting the fan speed (incorrectly) to just the right pitch.

If your model is not covered, the board is an easy swap, and is accessed from the rear; you dont even have to empty the freezer.

 

[1275gr]

Thanks for the update. I'll contact the dealer in the morning to see what we can work out. I'll post the results.

 

[Jake]

Ok, thanks guys for all your input.

Here is the main control board for these models you can order:
Control Board WR55X10942P


Jake

 

[gladesteen]

Hello,

My 2yr old Hotpoint is making the same "howling" noise and is driving me CRAZY! I have model number HSS255GFPH WW.
Can i use the same circuit board to fix this? If so, how do you change it?
I read earlier that GE knows about this and is giving boards out. Who do i contact to see if that is possible?
If not, ill do it myself if someone can shed some light. That howl is nuts! It's progressively worsened since it started about 4 months ago

 

[Jake]

Contact GE here:
http://www.geappliances.com/service_and_support/

since others are having the same issue.

Jake

 

[gladesteen]

Thanks for the reply, Jake.
I called and spoke to a CSR, who was absolutely ZERO help. They wanted to just send a repair man out and charge me $60, then $126 on top of that to change out the board.......besides tax, etc.

How hard is that board to change out? Is that definitely what is causing this problem? I hate to throw money at it, but i need to get this thing fixed. It's getting worse i think!

-Mark

 

[Jake]

Its easy to change that board, its located in the back of your refrigerator under a metal panel, with lots of screws around it.

If you order the control board from the link I posted in this thread and it doesn't fix it, then you can return it for a full refund.

Check your model# again, I didn't get any info on HSS255GFPH. Maybe a typo.

Jake

 

[gladesteen]

Its easy to change that board, its located in the back of your refrigerator under a metal panel, with lots of screws around it.

If you order the control board from the link I posted in this thread and it doesn't fix it, then you can return it for a full refund.

Check your model# again, I didn't get any info on HSS255GFPH. Maybe a typo.

Jake

WOW! you wont beleive this, but GE sent me one for FREE! I called and calmly explained it and they offered to send me the board free of charge. Now that i have it, the instructions are very vague. It says some models require cutting the wires on the pin group, others dont. I guess ill just have to pull the back off and take a look. Hopefully this fixes my howling hotpoint!

Thanks for the help!
-Glade

 

[gladesteen]

FIXED !!!!!

Five plugs, one screw for ground. Piece of cake!

And........the howling is gone!

Thanks for all the help.

 

[Jake]

Excellent, glad they sent it to you free and its working good again.

Jake

 

[BuzzBomb]

I have a GSS25SGRE with the same issue. 2 years old and the freezer fan cycles up and down.

Has anybody had any luck with GE repairing as a defective part?

And has anybody replaced this board on this model type?

Thanks to you all - great site!

 

[puffinp51]

Mine was the fan motor

Thanks for all the good information here! We've been having this problem for months and it got progressively worse and drives me nuts. I have a GSH25KGRECC that is a couple of years old. I was ready to throw the thing out the window. After reading all your stories, I called GE and to make a very long and irritating story short, the GE tech installed a new freezer fan motor and that seems to have worked. Yeah! I wish I would have known what they charge for labor, however, as I would have done it myself and I am as un-mechanical as they come. Getting a new fan motor was great, customer service not so much . I just hope it stays fixed. They warranty the part for 5 years but the labor for only 30 days. Thanks again for sharing so I know it just wasn't me going crazy.

Mary

 

[btirendi]

I have a GSH25SGRESS and have the same howling. Model is about 2 1/2 years. How do I find out if this is covered and get a new Board. It seems that the board is the main issue, correct? I am supposed to have the GE Svc tech come out on Monday, but they are telling me the noise is "Normal" and they probably will not do anything. Any info on where to complain and try to get some action is appreciated.