Amana Refrigerator: fan not starting

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

If your Amana Refrigerator's fan isn't starting, you may notice a lack of airflow inside the fridge and warm air pockets, even when the compressor is running. This issue can be caused by a faulty evaporator fan motor, obstructions, or wiring problems, leading to poor cooling performance.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Amana Models

  • Control board and temperature control can affect fan operation; these parts are less common but noted in Amana troubleshooting lists

Possible Causes

Evaporator fan motor failure

How to Identify: No air movement from evaporator fan; fan blade does not spin freely; multimeter shows no continuity

Part: Evaporator fan motor

Condenser fan motor failure

How to Identify: Fan not spinning at rear lower back of fridge; fridge overheats or runs but does not cool properly; blade stuck or no continuity on motor

Part: Condenser fan motor

Obstructed fan blade (ice/debris)

How to Identify: Frost or ice buildup around fan; food or packaging blocking rotation; blade doesn’t turn until obstruction removed

Part: Fan blade assembly

Faulty control board or relay

How to Identify: Fan doesn’t start even with functional motor when tested; diagnostic modes might run fan; no power to fan from board

Part: Electronic control board or fan relay

Wiring or connection issue

How to Identify: Visible damage, loose connections; intermittent or no continuity; power not reaching fan

Part: Fan wiring harness

Faulty thermostat or temperature control

How to Identify: No click from thermostat; temp settings may not trigger fan; continuity tests fail

Part: Thermostat/temperature control

DIY Solutions

Remove Obstructions & Ice Build-Up

Easy 15-30 minutes
Tools Needed: flashlight, soft cloth
  1. Unplug refrigerator
  2. Open freezer section and locate fan area
  3. Inspect for ice, frost, or food blocking fan
  4. Remove obstacles and gently defrost ice if present
  5. Plug fridge back in and test fan
⚠️ Safety First: Always disconnect power before working inside fridge

Clean Condenser Coils & Check Airflow

Moderate 30-60 minutes
Tools Needed: coil brush or vacuum
  1. Unplug refrigerator and pull it away from wall
  2. Locate coils under/behind fridge
  3. Clean dust and debris from coils with brush or vacuum
  4. Check that nothing is blocking condenser fan area
  5. Plug fridge back in and verify fan operation
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure power is off before coil cleaning

Professional Repairs

Replace Evaporator Fan Motor

Estimated Cost: $50 - $150

Replace Condenser Fan Motor or Control Board

Estimated Cost: $80 - $300

When to Call a Professional

Fan does not start after removing obstructions and cleaning coils
Electrical testing (multimeter) indicates motor or board faults
Fan wiring or electronic control components are suspected damaged

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean condenser coils: Fan and cooling issues due to overheating
    Frequency: every 6 months
  • Check and defrost frost buildup: Obstructions to evaporator fan blades
    Frequency: as needed

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Amana Refrigerator fan not starting?
Common causes include evaporator fan motor failure, debris obstructing the fan, or issues with the control board.
How do I fix Amana Refrigerator fan not starting myself?
Unplug the fridge, check for ice or debris blocking the fan, and clean the condenser coils.
How much does it cost to fix fan not starting?
Replacing the evaporator fan motor costs $50 - $150, while other repairs can range from $80 - $300.
When should I call a technician for fan not starting?
If DIY solutions don’t fix the issue or if you suspect a major component failure, it's best to consult a technician.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

75%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Either

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Evaporator fan motor is stuck or jammed due to ice buildup or debris.
  • Faulty evaporator fan motor that requires replacement.
  • Defective fan control board preventing power from reaching the fan motor.

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Unplug the refrigerator, remove the back panel in the freezer to access the evaporator fan. Check for ice buildup or debris around the fan. If present, carefully defrost or remove the obstruction. Plug the refrigerator back in to test if the fan starts.

  2. If the fan motor is still not operational after clearing obstructions, test the motor with a multimeter for continuity. If it shows no continuity, replace the evaporator fan motor. Ensure to unplug the refrigerator before replacing the part.

  3. Inspect the fan control board for any visible damage or burnt components. If damaged, replace the fan control board. This requires accessing the control panel, so ensure the refrigerator is unplugged before performing this task.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. Amana Refrigerator BR18 - evaporator fan motor gets stuck, n...

Community Discussions

evaporator fan motor gets stuck, needs a nudge to get going again

Replace the evaporator fan motor or try a used one.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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