How to Replace 12002744 Evaporator Fan Motor on Whirlpool & Maytag Refrigerators — Step-by-Step

Your Maytag MFD2560HES freezer was working fine yesterday. This morning, you notice the ice cream's soft and the frozen vegetables are starting to thaw. When you press your ear against the back wall of the freezer compartment, you hear... nothing. That's the problem. The evaporator fan motor has quit, and without it circulating cold air, both compartments will warm up within 24 hours.

The 12002744 evaporator fan motor is responsible for circulating cold air from the evaporator coils throughout your refrigerator and freezer. When it fails, you'll notice the freezer section warming first, followed by the fresh food compartment. Sometimes you'll hear grinding or squealing before it stops completely. Other times, it just quits without warning.

What You Need Before Starting

This repair takes about 45 minutes and requires basic mechanical skills. You'll be working inside the freezer compartment, so it's actually one of the more accessible refrigerator repairs.

• 1/4" nut driver or socket
• Phillips screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver
• Work gloves (the freezer compartment gets sharp edges)
• Towels (for any frost that melts)
• Cooler with ice (to store frozen food temporarily)

Estimated Time: 45-60 minutes

Difficulty: Moderate — requires removing the evaporator cover panel

Safety First

Unplug your refrigerator before starting any work. You'll be working near electrical connections and sharp sheet metal edges. Even though the freezer compartment seems safe, the fan motor connects to 120V household current. If you can't access the plug behind the unit, shut off the breaker. Don't rely on just removing the evaporator cover — always disconnect power first.

Step 1: Empty the Freezer and Remove Shelves

Transfer all frozen food to your cooler. Remove all shelving, drawers, and the ice bucket if you have an ice maker. You need complete access to the back wall of the freezer. On models like the Jenn-Air JCD2295HES, you'll also need to remove the light shield if it's in the way.

Step 2: Remove the Evaporator Cover Panel

The evaporator fan hides behind a plastic panel on the back wall of the freezer. Look for 3-5 screws around the edges — they're usually Phillips or 1/4" hex head. On Maytag models MBF2256KEB and MBF2258XEB, there are typically four screws along the top edge and one at the bottom center. Remove these screws and set them aside.

Gently pull the panel forward. It might be stuck with ice buildup. Don't force it — use a hairdryer on low heat to melt any ice holding it in place. The panel clips into place at the bottom, so you may need to lift slightly as you pull it away from the wall.

Step 3: Disconnect and Remove the Old Fan Motor

With the cover off, you'll see the evaporator coils and the fan motor mounted on a bracket. The motor has a wire harness connector — squeeze the locking tab and pull it apart. Don't yank on the wires themselves.

The fan motor is held to its bracket by 2-3 screws or mounting clips. On Amana models AFD2535DES and AFD2535DEW, there are two screws accessed from the front of the motor bracket. Remove these and the entire fan motor assembly pulls out. The fan blade is attached to the motor shaft — you'll replace both as a complete kit with the 12002744.

Step 4: Install the New 12002744 Fan Motor Kit

Your replacement kit includes the motor, fan blade, and mounting bracket already assembled. Position it in the same orientation as the old one — the fan blade should spin freely without hitting the evaporator coils. The air flow direction matters, so note which way the old blade was positioned before removal.

Secure the motor bracket with the mounting screws. Tighten them snug but don't overtighten — you're threading into plastic in most cases. Plug the wire harness connector back together until you hear it click. Give the fan blade a manual spin to make sure nothing's rubbing.

Step 5: Reassemble and Test

Replace the evaporator cover panel, lining up the bottom clips first, then secure with all screws. Put the freezer shelves back in place. Plug the refrigerator back in or turn the breaker back on.

Within 30 seconds, you should hear the evaporator fan motor running. It's a steady whooshing sound, not grinding or squealing. Open and close the freezer door — on most models, the fan stops when the door opens and restarts when it closes. That's normal. The fan runs continuously otherwise.

Testing After Installation

Let the refrigerator run for 4-6 hours before reloading it with food. Check that both compartments are cooling down. The freezer should reach 0°F within 8 hours, and the fresh food section should drop to 37°F. Place a thermometer in each section to verify.

Listen for unusual noises. A properly installed 12002744 fan motor runs quietly with just a gentle air circulation sound. If you hear clicking, grinding, or squealing, turn off the unit and check that the fan blade isn't hitting anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this kit work on Kenmore refrigerators?

Yes, the 12002744 replaces the evaporator fan motor in many Kenmore models including 59675502400, 59675503400, 59675504400, 59675509400, 59675512400, and 59675513400. Verify your model number against the compatibility list, but this motor is used across Whirlpool Corporation brands including Whirlpool, Maytag, Jenn-Air, Amana, and Kenmore.

Why does my freezer get too warm when the fan motor fails?

The evaporator fan motor circulates cold air from the evaporator coils through both the freezer and refrigerator compartments. When it stops working, cold air can't circulate even though the compressor and evaporator are still functioning. The result is a freezer section that's too warm and a fresh food section that eventually warms up as well. It's one of the most common causes of a fridge that's too warm on top and bottom.

How do I know if the motor is bad or just the fan blade?

If you hear the motor humming but the blade doesn't spin, the blade might be broken or the motor shaft might be seized. If you hear nothing at all and the motor doesn't even try to start, the motor itself is dead. Either way, the 12002744 kit includes both the motor and blade assembly, so you're replacing everything at once. Test the motor by briefly spinning the blade by hand when the unit is running — if it starts spinning on its own, the motor works but the blade might have been stuck with ice.