Frigidaire Side-by-Side Refrigerator Refrigerator Compressor Repair
Complete guide to Frigidaire Side-by-Side Refrigerator refrigerator compressor repair. Cost estimates, difficulty level, time required, and environmental impact.
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💰 Cost Breakdown
💡 Tip: Costs vary by location and repair shop. Authorized service centers typically charge more than independent repair shops.
🔧 Repair Overview
Refrigerator Compressor Repair is one of the most common repairs for Frigidaire Side-by-Side Refrigerator. This repair involves replacing the damaged cooling component with a new or refurbished part. The process typically takes 2-4 hours and requires difficult skill level.
🔧 Required Tools
What You'll Need
- Replacement cooling part (OEM or aftermarket)
- Precision screwdriver set (Phillips #000 or pentalobe)
- Opening tools (plastic spudger, suction cup)
- Adhesive strips or glue
- Clean workspace with good lighting
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Unplug your refrigerator
Unplug your refrigerator before you begin your repair.
If you are testing or repairing the following items, you may also need to shut off and disconnect the water supply:
Condenser fan motor
Compressor motor and thermal overload device
Water supply valve assembly
Step 2: Remove the ice bin
Open the freezer door.
Grasp the lower portion of the front of the ice bin.
Lift it slightly and pull it out toward the front of the refrigerator.
Step 3: Unfasten the ice maker
These screws are challenging to reach.
Use a 1/4" nut driver to remove the two screws securing the ice maker to the sidewall of the freezer compartment.
Step 4: Reposition the ice maker
Rotate the ice maker to the right and lower the front end to access the cable.
Step 5: Disconnect the icemaker
Locate the ice maker connector near the back of the freezer.
Squeeze the release tabs on the connector to release it, and pull it out to disconnect it.
You may need to use two hands to do this, one on the rear half and one on the front half of the connector.
You can support the ice maker on the ice bin support if you need both hands to disconnect it.
Step 6: Remove the ice maker
Remove the ice maker from the freezer compartment.
Step 7: Remove left side freezer drawer rail
Use a 1/4" nut driver to remove the two screws securing the left side freezer drawer rail.
Remove the drawer rail
Step 8: Unfasten auger motor assembly
Use a 1/4" nut driver to remove the two screws securing the auger motor assembly to the support brackets located in the rear of the freezer compartment.
Step 9: Reposition auger motor assembly
Lift the front end rail tie of the auger motor assembly to release it from the support brackets.
Lift the entire assembly upward and move it out toward the front of the freezer compartment.
Do not try to remove the entire auger motor assembly at this point. It is still connected by electrical cables to the rear of the freezer compartment.
Lower the assembly so it will be supported by the front portion of the assembly resting on a shelf located below. Avoid putting tension on the cable.
Step 10: Disconnect the auger motor assembly
Squeeze the release tab on the auger motor assembly cable and pull the connector out from the socket to disconnect it.
Step 11: Remove the auger motor assembly
Remove the auger motor assembly.
The assembly is quite unbalanced with a lot of weight to the rear, so hold it near the rear portion.
Step 12: Remove mounting brackets
Use a 1/4" nut driver to remove the two screws securing the left-hand auger motor assembly mounting bracket.
Repeat the step above for the right-hand bracket.
Step 13: Unfasten the upper evaporator cover.
Use a 1/4" nut driver to remove the five screws securing the upper evaporator panel.
Use a 1/4" nut driver to remove the two additional screws securing the upper and lower evaporator panels
Step 14: Remove the upper evaporator cover
Use the hole in the upper evaporator cover to lift the upper evaporator cover off.
The sheet metal is sharp, and you should consider gloves to protect your hands. Work carefully.
Step 15: Unfasten the lower evaporator cover
Use a 1/4" nut driver to remove the two remaining screws securing the lower evaporator cover.
Step 16: Remove the lower evaporator cover
Lift the lower evaporator cover about 1/2" (13mm) to free it from the rear of the refrigerator.
Tilt the top of the lower evaporator cover toward the front of the fridge.
Remove the lower evaporator cover.
Step 17: Reposition evaporator fan assembly
Lift the evaporator fan assembly up from where it is located on the rear of the freezer compartment.
Turn the evaporator fan assembly over to the underside to more readily access the electrical connections.
Step 18: Disconnect evaporator fan
Grasp the evaporator fan connector and squeeze the release tabs located on each side of the connector.
Separate the connector by pulling it apart. You may need both hands to do this, one on each half of the connector.
Step 19: Remove the evaporator fan assembly
Remove the evaporator fan assembly
Step 20: Remove fan blades
Grasp the hub of the fan blades and pull them off the motor shaft.
Step 21: Unhook the fan motor bracket
Press the retaining tab toward the motor shaft to release the fan motor bracket.
You can use a spudger or your fingers to press the tab.
Unhook the fan motor bracket by pushing it downward once the retaining tab is released.
Step 22: Remove the fan motor bracket
Press the bottom of the bracket inward to release the hook.
While pressing inward, pull the hook upward to free the motor bracket.
Repeat the last three steps for the other side of the fan motor bracket.
Step 23: Remove motor and motor bracket from evaporator fan assembly
Lift motor bracket and motor from evaporator fan assembly.
Step 24: Remove motor from motor bracket
Pull the motor bracket upward to separate the motor from the motor bracket.
Step 25: Fan motor is ready for replacement
Fan motor can now be replaced.
Keep track of the rubber mounting bushings on both faces of the motor as the replacement motor may not come with them.
📖 Repair guide provided by iFixit - The free repair manual. Licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0.
iFixit Difficulty: Moderate | Time: NaNh NaNm
DIY vs Professional Repair
✋ DIY Repair
- ✅ Lower cost (parts only: $120-$270)
- ✅ Learn new skills
- ❌ Risk of further damage
- ❌ No warranty
- ❌ Requires tools and time
🔧 Professional Repair
- ✅ Expert installation
- ✅ Warranty included
- ✅ Faster turnaround
- ❌ Higher cost ($200-$450)
- ❌ Need to find reputable shop
Environmental Impact
By choosing to repair your Frigidaire Side-by-Side Refrigerator instead of replacing it, you're preventing approximately 288 kg of CO₂ emissions. Manufacturing a new Frigidaire Side-by-Side Refrigerator generates 300 kg of CO₂, while this repair only produces about 12 kg of CO₂. That's a 96% reduction in carbon emissions!
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