How to Replace 2315539 Freezer Evaporator Fan Motor on Whirlpool Refrigerator — Step-by-Step

Your freezer's supposed to be cold. Instead, you've got a fridge that's too warm, a freezer that won't defrost properly, and maybe a strange grinding noise coming from behind the back panel. When your Whirlpool or Kenmore's evaporator fan motor dies, temperature regulation goes out the window — the fan's job is to circulate cold air from the evaporator coils throughout both compartments. No fan means no airflow, which means you're looking at spoiled food and ice cream soup.

What You Need Before Starting

This repair takes about 30-45 minutes and requires basic hand tools. You'll be working inside the freezer compartment, so clear out your frozen goods first — or pack them in a cooler if you're slow like me.

• 1/4" nut driver or socket
• Phillips screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver
• Towel (for any ice buildup)
• Work gloves (those metal edges are sharp)

Difficulty: MODERATE — You'll need to remove the evaporator cover, but the fan itself is straightforward.

Safety First

Unplug the refrigerator completely before you start. I know it seems obvious, but I've seen people try to work around live electrical connections, and that's how you end up with a memorable trip to the ER. The evaporator fan motor connects directly to the control board, and you don't want to be the ground when something shorts out. Also, if there's significant ice buildup on the evaporator coils, let it thaw first — trying to chip away frozen coils is a great way to puncture your refrigerant system and turn a $52 repair into a $600 service call.

Step 1: Access the Evaporator Compartment

Empty your freezer and remove all the shelves and baskets. You'll see a back panel inside the freezer — that's your evaporator cover. On most Whirlpool models like the WRT318FMDW01 or WRT348FMES05, there are four to six screws holding this panel in place. Remove those screws with your 1/4" nut driver and gently pull the cover forward. If it's stuck, there's probably ice holding it — don't force it or you'll crack the plastic.

Step 2: Disconnect the Old Fan Motor

Behind that panel, you'll see the evaporator coils and the fan motor mounted to a bracket. The fan motor has a wire harness — usually a two-wire connection with a plug. Press the tab and disconnect it. On some Kenmore models (106.60219410 and similar), there's a metal clip holding the motor in place. Use your flathead screwdriver to release that clip, then remove the mounting screws securing the motor bracket.

Step 3: Remove the Fan Blade

The fan blade sits on the motor shaft with either a spring clip or a setscrew. If it's a clip, carefully pry it off with your flathead screwdriver — and watch out, because those things like to launch across the room. If there's a setscrew, loosen it with your Phillips screwdriver and slide the blade off the shaft. Keep track of any washers or spacers; they go back on the new motor in the same order.

Step 4: Install the New 2315539 Motor

Mount your new 2315539 motor to the bracket using the same screws you removed. Make sure it's oriented correctly — the shaft should point toward where the fan blade will sit, and the wire harness should reach its connection point without stretching. Slide the fan blade onto the new motor shaft and secure it with the clip or setscrew. Give it a spin by hand — it should rotate freely without wobbling or scraping.

Step 5: Reconnect and Reassemble

Plug the wire harness back into its connector. Route the wires so they won't get pinched when you replace the evaporator cover. Before you button everything up, do yourself a favor and spin the fan blade one more time to verify nothing's in the way. Replace the evaporator cover panel and reinstall all the screws. Put your freezer shelves back in, plug the refrigerator back in, and listen for the fan to start running within a few minutes.

Testing After Installation

You should hear the fan running within 5-10 minutes of powering up. It'll cycle on and off with the compressor — that's normal. Check the freezer temperature after 4-6 hours; it should be down to 0°F or below. If you're still getting "fridge too warm" symptoms after 24 hours, you might have a defrost issue or a sealed system problem, not just the fan. But nine times out of ten, replacing this motor solves temperature problems on models like the 8ET1FTKXKT05, ET4CSKYKQ01, and WRTX5328PB01.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my freezer fan keep stopping and starting?

That's actually normal. The evaporator fan is controlled by the defrost timer and temperature sensors. It shuts off during defrost cycles and when you open the freezer door. If it's cycling too frequently or not running at all, test the motor with a multimeter — you should see continuity across the terminals (around 200-400 ohms for most models).

Can I run the refrigerator without the evaporator fan?

Not if you want cold food. The compressor will still run, but without the fan circulating air, you'll end up with a freezer that might stay semi-cold and a fridge compartment that's completely warm. Plus, you'll likely develop heavy frost buildup on the evaporator coils because the air isn't moving properly.

Will this motor work on my Kenmore Elite or KitchenAid?

The 2315539 replaces several part numbers including WP2315539, W10438708, and 2219689, so it fits a wide range of Whirlpool-manufactured refrigerators regardless of the brand name on the front. Check your model number against the compatibility list — if your model's listed (like the M1TXEMMWW00 or GT1SHTXMB00), you're good to go.