How to Replace 241696606 Condenser Fan Motor on Frigidaire Refrigerator — Step-by-Step

Your Frigidaire refrigerator sounds like a jet engine taking off, and the compressor's running constantly but nothing's getting cold. Touch the sides — they're hot enough to warm your coffee. That's your condenser fan motor giving up. When it quits, airflow across those coils stops completely, and your fridge starts working overtime trying to cool itself down. The fix? Replacing the 241696606 condenser fan motor takes about 20 minutes and doesn't require any refrigerant work.

What You Need Before Starting

Here's your tool lineup for this repair:

• Nut drivers (1/4" and 5/16" typically)
• Screwdrivers (Phillips and flathead)
• Wrench set or socket set
• Pliers for wire connectors
• Work gloves (those coils get sharp)

Repair Time: 15-30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

This is a straightforward swap. No need to recover refrigerant, no complex diagnostics. If your fan's not spinning or sounds rough, replacement is the fix.

Safety First

Unplug the refrigerator completely before touching anything. Don't just flip the breaker — physically disconnect the power cord. You'll be working near the compressor and fan blades, and even residual voltage can give you a nasty shock. If your fridge has a rear panel, wait five minutes after unplugging to let any capacitor charges dissipate. Wear gloves when handling the condenser coils — those fins are razor-sharp.

Step 1: Access the Condenser Compartment

Pull the fridge away from the wall so you've got working room. On most Frigidaire models like the FRT18L4FW3 or FFTR1515LW series, you'll find a lower rear access panel held by 4-6 screws. Remove these screws with your nut driver and slide the panel off. You'll immediately see the compressor (the black cylinder) and next to it, the condenser fan motor with its blade. Some models have the fan accessible from the front lower grille instead — check your specific model's layout.

Step 2: Disconnect the Old Fan Motor

Locate the wire connector plugging into the fan motor — it's usually a white or black plastic plug. Pull it straight off (don't yank the wires themselves). Take a quick photo of the blade orientation before you remove anything. The fan blade is typically held onto the motor shaft with a small setscrew or spring clip. Loosen the setscrew with a flathead screwdriver or pop the clip off with pliers, then slide the blade off the shaft.

Step 3: Remove the Motor Mounting Bracket

The motor itself sits in a metal bracket secured by two or three bolts to the condenser compartment frame. Use your wrench or socket set to remove these bolts completely. On some models, you'll need to wiggle the bracket slightly to clear the mounting tabs. Once the bolts are out, lift the entire motor and bracket assembly out as one piece. Set it aside — you'll reuse the bracket with your new motor.

Step 4: Transfer the Bracket and Install New Motor

Remove the old motor from the bracket (usually two more screws through the motor housing). Mount your new 241696606 motor in the same orientation using those same screw holes. Tighten securely but don't strip the threads. Position the bracket assembly back into the condenser compartment and reinstall the mounting bolts. Make sure the motor shaft is centered and not touching any metal — you don't want vibration noise later.

Step 5: Attach the Blade and Reconnect Power

Slide the fan blade back onto the new motor shaft in the same orientation as before (refer to your photo). The curved side of the blades should face the condenser coils to pull air through them. Tighten the setscrew or replace the clip securely — a loose blade will wobble and make horrible noise. Plug the wire connector into the new motor. Give the blade a manual spin to verify it rotates freely without hitting anything. Reinstall the access panel, plug the fridge back in, and push it into position.

Testing After Installation

Listen for the fan motor to start within a few minutes of plugging in — it should run quietly with a steady hum. The blade should spin smoothly without wobbling or scraping sounds. Check airflow by holding your hand near the condenser coils — you should feel warm air being pulled away. After an hour, check the fridge temperature — it should start dropping back to normal. The sides of the fridge should cool down as the condenser works properly again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this motor work on both Frigidaire and Kenmore models?

Yes, the 241696606 is a direct replacement for multiple brands including Frigidaire, Kenmore, and Electrolux refrigerators. It replaces part numbers AP4824720, 241696602, and 241696605. Check your model number against the compatibility list — it fits models like FRT18L4FW3, FFTR1515LW2, and dozens more across different series.

Why does my new fan motor run constantly instead of cycling?

The condenser fan should run anytime the compressor runs, so constant operation is actually normal when your fridge is first cooling down or during hot weather. If it never stops even when the compressor cycles off, check that the thermostat isn't set too cold and that the door gaskets are sealing properly. A constantly running fan motor isn't necessarily defective — it's responding to temperature demands.

Can I test the old motor before replacing it?

Absolutely. With power disconnected, use a multimeter set to resistance (ohms) and test across the motor terminals. You should see continuity (10-50 ohms typically). If it reads infinite resistance, the motor windings are open and it's definitely dead. You can also try spinning the blade manually — if it's hard to turn or grinds, the bearings are shot. Either condition means replacement is your only option.