LG LFXS26973S (French Door) – Evaporator fan motor noise Repair Guide

🔧 Step 1: Access evaporator compartment

1. Unplug the refrigerator from the wall outlet or flip the dedicated breaker in your electrical panel to the OFF position.
2. Open the left freezer door fully (this is a French-door model with bottom freezer).
3. Remove all food items, bins, and shelving from the freezer compartment to create clear access to the back wall.
4. Locate the white or silver plastic evaporator cover panel on the entire back wall of the freezer – it’s approximately 24 inches wide by 30 inches tall.
5. Identify 8 Phillips-head screws securing the evaporator cover: 3 screws along the top edge, 2 screws on each side (left and right), and 1 screw at the bottom center.
6. Using a Phillips #2 screwdriver, remove all 8 screws completely. Place the screws in a container to prevent loss.
7. Grasp the evaporator cover panel at the bottom edge with both hands, approximately 4 inches from each side.
8. Pull the bottom of the panel toward you approximately 2 inches until the bottom tabs release from the mounting slots.
9. Lift the entire panel upward about 1 inch while continuing to pull it forward to disengage the top mounting clips.
10. Remove the evaporator cover panel completely and set it aside on a clean surface.
11. You will now see the aluminum evaporator coil assembly (looks like silver fins stacked horizontally), the white foam insulation surrounding it, and the evaporator fan assembly mounted on the left side.
12. Success indicator: The entire evaporator coil, frost sensor (small white cylindrical component clipped to the coils), defrost heater (glass or metal tube beneath the coils), and fan assembly are now visible and accessible for inspection or repair.

🛠️ Step 2: Inspect fan motor for damage

1. Locate the evaporator fan motor mounted on the back wall of the freezer compartment, centered approximately 18 inches from the top and 12 inches from the left side behind the white plastic air duct cover.
2. Grip the fan blade attached to the motor shaft and attempt to spin it by hand in a clockwise direction.
3. Note the resistance level: the blade should rotate smoothly with minimal friction and continue spinning for 3-5 seconds after release. If it stops immediately or grinds, the motor bearings are damaged.
4. Hold the motor housing steady with one hand and try to move the fan blade up and down perpendicular to the shaft. Any movement exceeding 1-2mm indicates worn bearings requiring motor replacement.
5. Examine the motor housing exterior for frost buildup, which appears as white crystalline ice coating the black or silver cylindrical casing. Frost indicates a compromised seal.
6. Look for oil stains or dark liquid residue beneath the motor, particularly around the shaft exit point. This confirms bearing seal failure.
7. Check the motor’s wire harness connector (a white rectangular plug with 2 or 3 wires) for corrosion, visible as green or white crusty deposits on the metal terminals.
8. Inspect the rubber grommet where wires exit the motor housing for cracks or splits. Run your finger along its circumference to detect any gaps.
9. Examine the fan blade for cracks radiating from the center hub or missing blade segments. The blade should have 5-7 evenly spaced fins with no visible damage.
10. Check for impact damage on the motor housing, appearing as dents, cracks, or punctures in the metal casing.
11. If you identified any of these damage indicators—restricted blade rotation, excessive shaft play, frost accumulation, oil leaks, wire corrosion, or physical damage—the motor requires replacement with LG part number 4681JB1027C.

⚙️ Step 3: Check for ice buildup on coils

1. Open the freezer door and remove all food items from the top three shelves to access the rear wall panel.
2. Locate the white plastic evaporator cover panel on the entire rear wall of the freezer compartment—it measures approximately 28 inches tall by 24 inches wide.
3. Remove the upper left screw securing the cover using a Phillips-head screwdriver #2, positioned 2 inches from the top edge and 3 inches from the left side.
4. Remove the upper right screw, located 2 inches from the top edge and 3 inches from the right side.
5. Remove the two middle screws, positioned at the vertical center of the panel, 8 inches from each side edge.
6. Remove the bottom screw, centered horizontally and positioned 2 inches from the bottom edge.
7. Lift the panel upward approximately 1 inch to disengage the bottom clips, then pull the panel forward and set it aside.
8. Observe the aluminum evaporator coils now exposed—these serpentine coils should appear silver or have a light frost coating no thicker than 1/8 inch.
9. Check for excessive ice buildup, which appears as white or translucent solid ice coating thicker than 1/4 inch covering more than 50% of the coil surface area.
10. Look specifically at the bottom third of the coil assembly where ice accumulation typically begins—ice may appear as thick sheets or chunks blocking airflow between coil loops.
11. Inspect the drain pan and drain hole at the bottom center of the evaporator compartment for ice blockage—the drain hole is circular, approximately 3/4 inch diameter.
12. If ice buildup thicker than 1/4 inch covers the coils or blocks the drain hole, proceed to Step 4 for defrosting procedures; if coils show minimal frost only, reinstall the panel and proceed to Step 5.

🔩 Step 4: Test fan motor operation

1. Locate the evaporator fan motor at the back of the freezer compartment, centered horizontally and positioned approximately 18 inches from the bottom of the freezer liner.
2. Identify the wire harness connector attached to the fan motor—it’s a white rectangular plug with 3 wires (red, black, and white) located on the right side of the motor housing.
3. Set your multimeter to DC voltage mode, selecting the 20V range.
4. Plug the refrigerator back into the wall outlet while keeping the freezer door open.
5. Insert the multimeter’s red probe into the back of the white connector where the red wire enters (you’ll see a small opening that accepts the probe tip without disconnecting the connector).
6. Touch the multimeter’s black probe to any bare metal screw on the freezer wall or the motor mounting bracket.
7. Close the freezer door and wait 30 seconds—the door switch must be depressed for the fan to receive power.
8. Open the door quickly and check the multimeter reading immediately (fan shuts off when door opens but voltage reading remains for 2-3 seconds). You should see 110-120 volts DC.
9. If voltage is present, manually spin the fan blade clockwise with your finger. The blade should rotate freely with no grinding, scraping, or resistance. A functioning motor bearing allows 3-5 full rotations from one spin.
10. Press and hold the door switch (small white button on the right side of the door frame) to simulate a closed door.
11. Observe the fan blade—it should begin spinning within 2 seconds and reach full speed (approximately 1200 RPM, appearing as a blur) within 5 seconds.
12. Listen for unusual noises: squealing, grinding, or clicking indicates worn bearings requiring motor replacement (part number 4681JB1027C).
13. Unplug the refrigerator after testing is complete.

📋 Step 5: Replace fan motor if noisy or not running

1. Locate the evaporator fan motor in the freezer compartment behind the back panel you exposed in the previous step, centered at approximately 18 inches from the bottom.
2. Identify the white wire harness connector attached to the fan motor, positioned on the right side of the motor housing.
3. Press the release tab on the connector while pulling it straight away from the motor terminal – you’ll feel it release with light resistance.
4. Remove 3 screws securing the fan motor bracket using a Phillips-head screwdriver #2. The screws are positioned: one at the top center, and two on the sides approximately 4 inches below the top screw.
5. Grasp the fan motor assembly and pull it forward 2-3 inches until the mounting tabs clear the metal bracket slots.
6. Lift the motor assembly straight up and out of the freezer compartment.
7. Note the fan blade orientation – the curved side faces toward the evaporator coils (toward the back wall).
8. Hold the fan blade stationary with one hand and remove the center retaining clip using needle-nose pliers by squeezing and sliding it off the motor shaft.
9. Pull the fan blade straight off the motor shaft with a firm, steady pull.
10. Position the new fan motor (LG part number 4681JB1029C) with the wire harness on the right side.
11. Slide the fan blade onto the new motor shaft with the curved side facing the same direction as the original, pushing until it seats against the shaft shoulder.
12. Install the retaining clip onto the motor shaft groove, compressing it with needle-nose pliers until it snaps into place – you’ll hear a metallic click.
13. Insert the motor assembly into the mounting bracket, aligning the three screw holes.
14. Install the 3 mounting screws and tighten until snug – approximately 8-10 inch-pounds of resistance.
15. Connect the white wire harness by pushing it onto the motor terminals until you hear an audible click indicating proper seating.

⚠️ Safety Reminders

• Always unplug the refrigerator before beginning any repair work
• Allow the unit to warm up if working with frozen components
• Use proper tools and safety equipment
• If you’re unsure about any step, consult a professional

← Back to Top 20 Refrigerators Guide

🛒 Recommended Products

Here are the recommended products for this repair:

• Parts Master Replacement for GE Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Motor – WR60X31522, PS12741350, AP6977246, 4959523, SM10141 – GE Refrigerator Parts – Fridge Fan Motor Replacement

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