GE Side By Side Condensor Fan Replaced Not Running?

Question

I'm back. Same problem trying to keep fridge side from freezing my foods. Opened back side and cleaned off filthy condensor fins, thanks Thor. Also replaced non turning condensor fan with new unit but upon testing discovered old fan motor was just fine after testing against a straight 12V source. So now I know old fan motor was okay all along. What's my next step? Heard might be a faulty thermostat along the line that controls the on off voltage to the condensor fan. If so, where do I find and how do I access said thermostat? Or am i going in wrong direction all along? Appreciate all your help. Larry.

Answer 1

oh okay, it is a 12 volt DC motor. I think you are down to motherboard because that is where your 12 volts come from. It has a bad transformer, rectifier, or a bad relay. But again there can be a delay on the fan too.

I hate to say to replace the motherboard because they are so pricey and not returnable. I kept a used spare around for testing.

But originally I said to go after the coils because you said the mullion, the separator was hot. And that was "a" problem but maybe not "the" problem.

But that could be different from your food freezing.

The fan in your freezer is likely 12 volts too. Is that working? That would account for the freezing. You might have to push the light switch closed to get it to come on, then feel for the air coming out the vents.

Same for where the air comes in at the top of the fresh food section. It is not iced up on the back wall of the freezer indicating a defrost problem is it?    

If both fans aren't working then you are back to the motherboard again.

For just the freezing problem it could be a bad damper.

I think on that model you don't have a thermostat.

It is electronically controlled and all that is behind the k***s are a couple of rheostats that signal the board that reads the temperature off a thermistor which is under a little cover in  the freezer and in the refrigerator.  

I do believe your model is the one where everything is controlled on a single board, from temperature to fans to the defrost and on some even the relays for the water or ice dispenser if you have them   :-(

But after making those checks, at this point it is getting beyond what I can tell you or can help you with , without being able to put a meter on stuff myself.

Good Luck.

Answer 2

It is the heating element.  Its located behind the wall in the freezer part about 3/4 way down. Has electrical wires attached to it and looks likes a  big fuse.