There is a good chance that the problem with your fridge is with the fan motor.If you want to save money on freezer repairs, you can test the fan yourself, which can be found behind the rear panel of the freezer.
Step 1: Look for light in the freezer door.
When you open the door, the internal light bulb should turn on.The problem may be that the freezer isn't getting power, rather than the issue with the fan motor.The freezer should be plugged in tightly.If you don't think the power is going to the freezer, check the breaker in that room.
Step 2: It's cold in the freezer.
The freezer will begin to thaw if the fan stops working.You can feel the cool air with your hand.You should be able to tell if the freezer is malfunctioning.If the freezer is cold, there isn't an issue with the fan motor.When the door is open, most freezers don't run the fan motor, so if it does not work, it will turn off.To make sure the freezer is cold, check the temperature setting.
Step 3: There is a freezer door switch.
A switch is pressed by the door as the freezer closes.As the door opens, the switch depresses, turning on the light and turning off the fan motor.The switch is located in the door frame of the freezer.The switch will probably be the same color as the inside of the freezer.The switch can be found on the frame of the freezer door.
Step 4: Hold the switch for a moment.
After a few seconds, the freezer light should turn off and the fan should kick on.You should be able to hear a low hum from the fan when it turns on.The fan motor can be bad if it doesn't turn on while you hold the switch.If you can hear the fan motor running but the freezer isn't cold, it's probably not the issue with the motor.
Step 5: Listen for a loud sound.
The high pitched sound that may come and go is caused by the bad motor of the fan.Something may be caught in the fan blades if you hear that sort of sound.To gain access to the fan motor, you will need to remove the rear panel.The only thing making noise behind the rear panel is the fan motor, which is located at the back of the freezer.
Step 6: The refrigerator needs to be unplugged.
Before you do any work on the fan motor, you need to make sure there is no power on.To get to the outlet behind the freezer, you need to slide it out from the wall.You can shut off power to the room if you can't access the outlet.If the power is not shut off, it could cause serious shocks or burns.
Step 7: Pull the shelving out of the freezer.
Everything will have to be out of the freezer for you to remove it once you remove the screws from the rear panel.You will get more room to work if you remove the shelves.When you put the shelves back in, make sure to set the mounting hardware aside somewhere safe to reuse.
Step 8: The rear panel has air ducts on it.
Before you can get to the rear panel of the freezer, you need to remove the hardware that holds the air ducts in place, and then slide them out.Put the ducts and mounting hardware in a safe place.The ducts can be removed using aPhillips head screwdriver.
Step 9: The panel screws need to be removed.
You should be able to see the screws holding the rear panel in place with the ducts out of the way.Set the screws aside someplace safe when you pull them out with a screwdriver.In some freezers, you might need to use a sockets wrench to secure the rear panel.The screws that hold the panel in place are usually located in different parts of the freezer.
Step 10: The fan motor wiring needs to be disconnected.
In freezers where the fan motor is attached to the panel rather than the back of the freezer, you will need to lay a panel down inside to access the wiring.After removing the rear panel completely, you will be able to connect the wiring.The slack in the wire should allow you to access it.
Step 11: Take the rear panel out of the freezer.
It may seem a little stuck at first, but the whole panel should come out as one piece.If the panel doesn't come off easily, look around to see if you missed any screws that are still holding it in place.Place the panel aside until you can reassemble the freezer.You may bend the panel as you pull it out.
Step 12: Look for frost on the coil.
The fan motor may be fine if you remove the rear panel of the freezer and find that the coils below the fan are completely frozen over.If you find frost on the coils, leave the refrigerator unplugged for 48 hours to thaw and then plug it in again.The problem is not the fan motor, it is the freezer.A bad relay could be one of the issues.It's possible that you need a certified technician to fix those problems.
Step 13: Don't mess with the fan blades.
It is possible for something to get stuck in the motor of the fan and cause it to stop.There are signs of string or plastic caught in the blades.Turn the power on to the freezer again if you find something wrapped around the fan blades.If the fan comes on, hold the freezer door switch down.It will need to be replaced if it doesn't.
Step 14: There are wires leading into the fan motor.
There are wires going into the rear panel of your freezer, but there are only three going to the fan motor.The ground and two of the wires will be different.The wires may be going into the same harness.The wires are different from freezer to freezer.
Step 15: Check the electrical resistance of the motor with a multimeter.
After plugging the probes into the two wires you identified coming out of the motor, turn the multimeter on and set it to resistance.Take the reading on the multimeter and compare it to the resistance the motor should have.The correct resistance specifications for the motor can be found in the owner's manual, an application specific repair manual or on the website of the manufacturer.If the reading does not match the manufacturer's specifications, the motor needs to be replaced.