Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Motor Parts — Models & Compatibility

If your Whirlpool refrigerator's fresh food section is running warm while the freezer stays cold, you're likely dealing with a failed evaporator fan motor. This W11224591 replacement fits hundreds of Whirlpool side-by-side and French door models — primarily the 700 series units built between 2012 and 2018. The evaporator fan circulates cold air from the freezer compartment into the fresh food section, and when it fails, you'll notice temperature imbalances within 24-48 hours.

Is This the Right Part for Your Model?

Check your refrigerator's model number on the label inside the fresh food compartment, usually on the left or right wall near the top. You're looking for model numbers starting with WRF7, WRF9, or WRS in the Whirlpool lineup. This motor also fits select KitchenAid KRFC, KRMF, and KFIS series, Maytag MFI and MSS models, and even IKEA-branded Whirlpool units. The W11224591 supersedes older part numbers W10865431, W10728111, and W11215582 — if your original motor has any of those numbers, this is your replacement.

About This Replacement Part

The evaporator fan motor runs continuously when your compressor is active, pulling cold air across the evaporator coils and pushing it through the air ducts. Most failures happen after 6-10 years when the motor bearings wear out or the windings short. You'll hear it first — a grinding noise, intermittent squealing, or complete silence where you used to hear a faint hum. The symptom is always the same: fridge too warm while the freezer works fine. That's because the freezer gets direct cooling from the evaporator, but the fresh food section depends entirely on this fan to deliver cold air. At $95.99, this OEM-quality replacement restores proper airflow and temperature balance across both compartments.

Compatible Whirlpool Models

This evaporator fan motor fits the following Whirlpool refrigerator models. If your model isn't listed but has a similar format (especially WRF7xx or WRF9xx series), check your existing motor's part number against the superseded numbers above.

• WRF736SDAB14
• WRF736SDAM14
• WRF736SDAW14
• WRF757SDHV00
• WRF757SDHV02
• WRF757SDHZ00
• WRF757SDHZ01
• WRF757SDHZ02
• WRF767SDHV00
• WRF767SDHV02
• WRF767SDHZ00
• WRF767SDHZ01
• WRF767SDHZ02

Note: This part fits over 700 Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, and IKEA refrigerator models. The list above represents common 700 series installations.

Why This Part Fails

Evaporator fan motors work in one of the harshest environments in your refrigerator — inside the freezer compartment where temperatures stay below zero. The motor shaft spins 24/7 whenever cooling is active, and over years of operation, several things go wrong. Moisture infiltration corrodes the motor windings. Bearing grease hardens in the cold and creates friction. Ice buildup from blocked defrost drains can lock the fan blade, burning out the motor. You might notice frost buildup on the back freezer wall before the motor fails completely — that's a warning sign that airflow is restricted.

Installation Overview

Replacing the evaporator fan motor requires accessing the freezer's rear panel. You'll unplug the refrigerator, remove all freezer contents, and take out the screws holding the back wall cover. The fan assembly sits directly behind this panel, mounted with two or three screws. Disconnect the wire harness, swap in the new motor, and reassemble in reverse order. The job takes 30-45 minutes if you've got basic tools and a place to store frozen food temporarily.

Ordering Information

The W11224591 evaporator fan motor costs $95.99 and ships ready to install — motor, fan blade, and mounting bracket included. It's an OEM-quality replacement that matches Whirlpool's original specifications for fit and performance. Before ordering, verify your model number and check that "fridge too warm" is your primary symptom. If both compartments are warm, you're dealing with a compressor or sealed system issue, not the fan motor.