GE Evaporator Fan Motor Part #WR60X10126

[launderess]

It would happen right during a summer heat wave!

Darn GE fridge has been acting up lately, but haven't paid much attention as had other things to worry about.

Evaporator fan motor is chirping away announcing its eminent demise.

GE and ever where else lists part as NLA, but am hoping (or was) to scare up this part somewhere to avoid having to shop for a new fridge right in middle of summer.

Anyone have a good lead? Otherwise am afraid will have to go appliance shopping, and soon. Just did grocery shopping and have a freezer full of meats and veggies!

[this post was last edited: 8/1/2019-08:43]

 

[estesguy]

Well if no one else chimes in later....

I found this blog referencing your part number. Reply #11 says he used a WR60X10300.

https://www.appliancejunk.com/forums/index.php?PHPSESSID=j4tqvu10k4tlh3k14he0fdqgp3&topic=15548.msg81969

 

[coldspot66]

I have one wr60x10126.

 

[launderess]

Thank you for the blog link!

Didn't come up in my internet search on part information.

 

[goatfarmer]

I have a GE on the truck I'm scrapping. Is it a DC motor?

 

[launderess]

This is the culprit!

https://www.deyparts.com/product/general-electric-refrigerator-evaporator-fan-motor-WR60X10126

Cannot get exact specs, but believe it is a an AC/DC motor out of Thailand made by Panasonic.

 

[coldspot66]

This looks like an apartment size refrig...10 or 12 cu ft. These are usually imports from China. That explains why it's NLA.

 

[launderess]

Model in question:

https://products.geappliances.com/appliance/gea-specs/GTR11AAPRWW

Yes, this is a small 11.5 cubic foot "apartment" fridge. Range then (nor now) is that large and needed something that would fit into specific space.

Looking at today's offerings (if worse comes to worse) only Summit, Danby, Whirlpool, Hair and Frigidaire offer fridges in the < 12 cubic foot range.

One supposes as other "compact" appliances such as dishwashers, small fridges, etc... the market just isn't huge enough to support many players.

 

[combo52]

Evaporator Fan Motor For Smaller Chinise GE Refrigerator

I have run into this, but there are many fan motors that will fit and work just fine in this model.

 

John L.

 

[launderess]

Sadly have not had much luck finding a substitute

Hence my reaching out to the group.

Spent some time on telephone with a wonderful parts person who tried to find a "sub", because apparently GE either does or will not disclose such information. We both agreed that GE must have sold hundreds of these fridges, what did they expect people to do? Chuck out an otherwise perfectly good appliance for want of an inexpensive replacement part?

Dealing with local GE certified and or other fridge repair persons was a mixed bag. The most said there wasn't an exact GE replacement for evaporator fan motor, and if that was indeed the issue they couldn't do the repair. Reason? "We don't use after market parts or those not specifically recommended by GE.

Others said yes, they would/could do the repair (if again evap fan motor was indeed the trouble) using another part modified or whatever to fit. However cost of repair was quoted > $400. For that kind of money can find something new or certainly used.

Not having access to service and technical information cannot make key determination if another brand part will work. Specifically connectors, AC or DC, spindle length, etc....

 

[combo52]

Evaporator Fan Motor For Smaller Chinise GE Refrigerator

Whats wrong with just using the GE WR60X10300, it retails for $130, if you were in the DC area we would come to your apartment and do the job for about $256 + tax.

 

Of course in Manhattan service costs are probably higher because of congestion.

 

This motor runs on A/C power, although GE calls it an ac/dc motor, it is actually a ECM electronically controlled motor.

 

John L.

 

[estesguy]

Ebay...

The WR60X10300 can be bought on Ebay brand new for $80, and replacing one is fairly easy. I've done it and the hardest part was just removing the fan blade to switch it over.

 

[launderess]

Thanks guys

Am in process of ordering part from another member, so hopefully am set.

Found an online GE supplier parts catalog and yes, WR60X10300 is a sub for my part. Only difference is the shaft is a bit longer.

Am hoping the fan isn't an issue.

When GE tech came to do warranty repair many years ago now they left a NIB fan blade. For ages moved that thing around my kitchen, junk drawer, other stash area, now cannot recall what one did with the thing. May have chucked it during a flight of deep cleaning prompted by "if you haven't used it by now....", and or "there is just too much junk lying about, why don't you get rid of some of this stuff?".

 

[launderess]

Plot thickens

Got around to moving shelves and things about so can swing freezer door fully open enough to remove floor in aid of getting a better understanding of what is what. Also have noticed since early this morning temps in freezer have been steadily rising as things are starting to defrost.

After popping off the plastic freezer floor bottom noticed coils are covered in ice. More so the one first just inside the door, not so much one closest to the fan.

Didn't pull the fan as the holder is frozen in place at certain spots with ice. However while the motor is Panasonic, it says "Made in Japan", not Thailand as seen for part when listed online.

Removed fan blade, and plugged in fridge. Lightly touched fan motor spindle and it does turn. We're not talking speeds fast enough to generate gale force winds, but never the less the thing does move.

Put fan blade back on, which was no easy feat as it must go on just enough to remain, but not so far back the blades will hit the metal holder or Styrofoam.

At first no matter which way fan blade was on manual turning caused one or more blades to scrape something. Through trial and error managed to find proper clearance by moving fan up and down the spindle, but also giving a slight nudge so the one blade that was hitting a certain spot on fan motor casing stopped.

Plugged in fridge again, lo and behold fan spun freely. Current of air was enough to cause ice that formed on coils to vanish. Is one to take all this palaver to mean the evaporator fan motor isn't an issue?

Am going to put everything back together as there isn't much more to see, then wait about ten or so minutes before plugging in/restarting fridge again to give condenser time to sort itself out.

 

[combo52]

We need pictures of the frost pattern on the evaporator.

 

[launderess]

Sorry, frost is gone

It vanished between starting the fan, and having door open (defrosting).

Thought about taking snaps, but then got to fiddling with that fan blade and forgot.

Was there something one should have looked for at once?

 

[coldspot66]

You might have a frozen defrost drain....this might explain an ice buildup that would cause scraping of the fan blade. May not be the fan after all.

 

[launderess]

Ok

Buttoned everything back up, replaced food in freezer, and plugged into power.

At once was greeted by the "grinding" noise evaporator fan has been making for years now. It barely lasted a moment then things quieted down. That no such noise occurs when the Styrofoam layer was installed, but did after everything was back together and compartment stuffed with food tells me maybe the fan blade somehow is scrapping the freezer floor (would be the top of freezer above the fan).

There is a pretty strong flow coming from vents that direct air down into the refrigerator compartment. This tells one (or so one hopes) the fan is blowing across coils as it should). Kitchen no longer is quiet, but there is the rather audible hum coming from fridge under freezer compartment area.

Am going to mop/clean up the kitchen, then get on with rest of my night. Will check back on things before having my late night snack (cup of tea and a slice of cake or pie), to see if things are as they ought.

As mentioned from the start this fridge had issues with fan blade resulting in a warranty service call. Wish can remember where the NIB fan piece is, and am hoping didn't chuck it out.

Did notice while fitting the fan back onto spindle some of the blades felt a bit rough, as if they'd be rubbing against something. Should that mean mean anything?

 

[launderess]

Fingers Crossed

Late last night heard fridge shut off for automatic defrost. Short while later after cycle was complete evaporator fan motor kicked on with a bit of grinding sound that quickly went away. Before going to bed temp in fridge was 45F.

This morning moved things yet again about in kitchen in order to get at back of fridge. Dusted and vacuumed floor, wall and condenser coils. Haven't done so in ages and was a right state back there with dust. Had turned off the fridge before shifting, when done cleaning and after shifting back turned it on again. No noise, just evap fan motor came on.

Am off to get on with rest of day; temp in fridge is around 41F-42F. Will be out most of day, will see what there is later on this evening.

One good thing came out of all this; gave things a good cleaning. Threw things out that had been sitting in freezer since God only knows when, and wouldn't have been worth cooking/consuming.