[wcsoft]

I posted this yesterday on another site and haven't received a reply, so I'm hoping I can get some help here

Hey everyone. Hopefully I can get a bit of help here before I pull my hair out. I've done some research to eliminate as many problems as I can.

I have a Kenmore 596.58695890 Side by Side Fridge/Freezer. This morning I noticed that some things in the top part of the freezer were thawing out and the fridge wasn't as cold as it should be.

Did some research, removed the back panel from inside the freezer, and there was a defnite frost buildup all over everything. Defrosted everything with a hair dryer. It wasn't an ice buildup, just frost and it may have not been extreme, but I defrosted it anyways just to be safe.

I found the defrost timer on the bottom of the freezer and advanced it by hand until the compressor stopped running at which point I could definitely feel some heat coming from the panel as I should have.

So, I turned the timer around again to turn the compressor b ack on. I turned it just to where it should go into defrost mode and within about 10 minutes it did. So it looks like the timer is still working properly.

Within 5 minutes of the compressor turning on, I can see and feel the cold being generated in the freezer.

However, neither Evaporator fan seems to be working. The fridge and freezer ones aren't turning and not blowing any cold air. They do turn by hand so they aren't stuck. I've pressed in the contact switch so the lights turn off to make sure it's just the fans not turning because the door's open, and they still don't turn.

I've read that it's possibly the defrost limiter? That on some models the fans won't turn if this is "stuck".

I think I've done all of the troubleshooting I'm capable of at this point. I'd like to try and do the repair myself to save some money, but not exactly sure what parts I'll need to order.

I'd really appreciate any help/suggestions on where to go from here. If I need to troubleshoot more, etc.

EDIT: After doing some more research, I'm assuming it's either the evaporator fan motor or the thermostat. I have nothing to test either one, so not exactly sure. But the defrost heater is definitely working, as evidenced from my burned finger. Defrost timer is working as well. And cooling seems to kick in as coils quickly get that cold look to them, just no fan turning.

[woodchuck]

You may need to run out and get a ten dollar voltmeter to see if you have any voltage getting to your fan.

Check fan here. Refrigerator Repair Guide: How To Test the Evaporator Fan - ACME HOW TO.com


Here is a fan for your model. Kenmore Parts for Models 596.58695890

[wcsoft]

Ok, went to hardware store and got a voltmeter. I see 3 wires going into the fan motor. One is green and it appears to be the ground. There are 2 clip type wire connections, one with a blue plastic cover and one with an orangeish cover. One looks like it's coming from the tstat and not sure where the other one is coming from.

I'm showing no voltage across those 2 when I put the leads on the metal portion of the fan motor that is exposed where the clips connect to.

I've had the fridge unplugged overnight, and just turned it back on. Should the fan be getting power immediately, or does the the area need to cool first before it gets power?

[wcsoft]

Ok, after letting it run for about 10 minutes, I'm now showing 110 across those 2 leads but the fan isn't turning. So I'm assuming that means it's the motor?

[wcsoft]

One more followup. Now that I show it's getting power, I've tried to spin the fan with a pencil to make sure it wasn't stuck. When I do that, it actually tries to turn a bit from the motor, but then stops abruptly. So it appears the motor is trying to turn it but can't. Also the motor appears to be getting fairly hot to the touch (after I unplugged the fridge to test this of course )

[woodchuck]

Good job. A new fan motor will take care of your problem.