If you’re experiencing issues with your refrigerator not cooling properly or freezing food in the refrigerator compartment, a defective evaporator fan motor could be the culprit. Testing the voltage of the fan motor can help determine if it is functioning correctly. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to test the voltage of your refrigerator’s evaporator fan motor.
Step 1: Safety First
Before you begin any disassembly or testing, ensure your safety by unplugging the refrigerator’s power cord. This precautionary measure will prevent any electrical accidents during the process.
Step 2: Locate the Fan Motor
To access the evaporator fan motor, you will likely need to remove an access panel. Refer to your refrigerator’s manual or wiring diagram to identify the location of the fan motor and the necessary steps to reach it.
Step 3: Disconnect the Motor’s Wiring
Once you have reached the fan motor, disconnect the motor’s wire connector or disconnect the wires from the terminals. Take note of the voltage designation printed on the fan motor or in the refrigerator’s wiring diagram.
Step 4: Set Up the Multimeter
Set your multimeter to the appropriate voltage setting based on the voltage designation you noted earlier. Typically, you will need to set it to volts AC or volts DC, depending on the specifications of your refrigerator.
Step 5: Identify the Power Input Terminals
Using the appliance’s wiring diagram, identify the appropriate power input terminals or wires for the fan motor. This information will help you correctly test the voltage.
Step 6: Plug in the Power Cord
Plug the refrigerator’s power cord back in, ensuring that you do not touch any components with your hands. Wait for the compressor to cycle on, and if necessary, actuate a door switch to provide voltage to the fan motor circuit.
Step 7: Test the Voltage
With the multimeter set up and the power restored to the refrigerator, it’s time to test the voltage. Contact the black meter lead to an appropriate connector pin or wire terminal, and the red lead to the other appropriate pin or terminal. The multimeter display should indicate the presence of voltage.
Step 8: Interpret the Results
If the multimeter indicates that voltage is present, it suggests that the evaporator fan motor is likely defective and should be replaced. On the other hand, if voltage is not present, the cooling problem may be caused by a defective main control board, temperature control thermostat, or thermistor.