GE Refrigerator GTE18GSHMRSS, Bad Evaporator Fan; Need Advice

[Filbert]

Model Number

GTE18GSHMRSS

Brand

GE

Age

1-5 years

Let me start off by saying that I know little about fridges, but I do have the service manual & have had some success repairing other appliances .

My GE fridge stopped cooling a couple of days ago and the bottom section was at room temp, but the freezer continued to operate normally. The evaporator fan in the freezer was not running, so I determined that it was definitely bad and I have a new one on the way.

I re-installed the evaporator fan panel without the dead fan in place, but now the freezer gets too cold even on the lowest setting and now the compressor is not shutting off. I don't want to leave it running all the time, but I do have frozen food in there that I don't want to toss.

Any idea what's going on? Is this because the freezer coil section (just below the evap fan) is now freezing up? I'm not sure how to deal with this...

Thanks!

 

[Jake]

I re-installed the evaporator fan panel without the dead fan in place, but now the freezer gets too cold even on the lowest setting and now the compressor is not shutting off.

That's odd, if the evaporator fan was not running before, then it shouldn't matter if you removed it or not, then put the back panel back in place.

You'll just need to wait till new evaporator fan motor arrives, unfortunately.

Here's the evaporator(freezer) fan motor for your model, in case others need it too: Evaporator Fan Motor WR60X31522 Video Included in part link.

 

[Filbert]

Thanks very much for responding. I'm sure you are busy & I really appreciate your taking the time to reply .

I installed the fan you recommended and that runs fine, but after about 20 minutes the compressor gets too hot to keep my hand on. With the temp control set at the "recommended" mark, I let the fridge run for 30 minutes total, which is about as long as I think I could safely run it without having the compressor totally overheat. In that time, the freezer only got down to 28 degrees F and the main section only got down to 60 degrees (the kitchen is at room temp).

The machine has been off for several days, so it has had a chance to completely defrost. I carefully cleaned it inside & out before installing the fan.

I assume the compressor getting hot like this is not good .

 

[Jake]

I assume the compressor getting hot like this is not good

That is correct. Is the condenser fan motor running that mounts next to the compressor?

Are your condenser coils clean?

 

[Filbert]

Yes, the condenser fan is running at normal speed. The condenser coils are clean.

I don't think the compressor was getting hot when the problem first started but after the fridge ran overnight with the evaporator fan dead, something must have happened, because in the morning the compressor was hot and apparently had never shut off.

When the fan failed, I probably should have unplugged the fridge and thrown out all the food in the freezer, but I had no idea that this thing would try to self-destruct!

I guess a new fridge is in order ?

 

[Jake]

I guess a new fridge is in order

Yes, I agree. Usually when the compressor gets extremely hot where you can't hold you hand on it for any length of time, that indicates its shot.

 

[Filbert]

OK, thanks. I'm surprised that this fridge only lasted 5 years. It wasn't placed close to walls and I always kept the condenser coils clean. I guess that's just how they are now .

Any recommendations for a replacement similar in size that might be reasonably reliable?

At the moment, I'm considering this Maytag MRT311FFFZ or this Whirlpool WRT518SZFM.

 

[Jake]

At the moment, I'm considering this Maytag MRT311FFFZ or this Whirlpool WRT518SZFM.

Either is good to get.

All us techs here generally agree buying Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Amana, Jenn-Air for the best reliability and longevity.

 

[Filbert]

Either is good to get.

All us techs here generally agree buying Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Amana, Jenn-Air for the best reliability and longevity.

Thanks for your reply. Both of the fridges I'm interested in are out of stock at dealers anywhere near me & they won't have them in for several weeks .

I bought a Magic Chef HMDR450BE mini fridge so we could have something in the meantime, but the compressor on that is also getting VERY hot - too hot to touch even for a few seconds! The freezer gets cold (5 Degrees F) but the fridge section is only @ 42 F, and this is after running it for 3 hours .

Should I return it?

I'm really getting discouraged...

 

[Jake]

I bought a Magic Chef HMDR450BE mini fridge so we could have something in the meantime, but the compressor on that is also getting VERY hot - too hot to touch even for a few seconds! The freezer gets cold (5 Degrees F) but the fridge section is only @ 42 F, and this is after running it for 3 hours .

Should I return it?

Yes, the compressor shouldn't be that extremely hot.

 

[Dan O.]

the compressor on that is also getting VERY hot - too hot to touch even for a few seconds! Should I return it?

That's not good. If the dealer allows returns, I might.

Both of the fridges I'm interested in are out of stock at dealers anywhere near me

The Whirlpool model is currently in stock at the following link:

LINK > Whirlpool WRT518SZFM 28" Stainless Steel Top-Freezer Refrigerator - (In stock, Free delivery, On sale!)


JFYI

Dan O.

 

[Filbert]

OK... the not-so-Magic Chef is going back . Thanks for the link, Dan.

I'll post back when the final decision is made.