GE Side-by-Side Refrigerator Dryer Heating Element Replacement
Complete guide to GE Side-by-Side Refrigerator dryer heating element replacement. 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
Dryer Heating Element Replacement is one of the most common repairs for GE Side-by-Side Refrigerator. This repair involves replacing the damaged heating component with a new or refurbished part. The process typically takes 1-2 hours and requires moderate skill level.
🔧 Required Tools
What You'll Need
- Replacement heating 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 ice bin
Grasp the ice bin and lift it upward slightly.
Pull the bin out of the freezer compartment and remove it.
Step 3: Remove ice maker cover
Lift the front edge of the cover 1cm (1/2") and pull the cover out of the freezer compartment.
Step 4: Unfasten ice maker
Use a 1/4" nut driver to loosen or remove the two screws securing the ice maker in place.
Step 5: Reposition the ice maker
Lift the icemaker upward to allow the mounting keyholes to slip over the screw heads.
Step 6:
Reposition the ice maker to the lower right, below the auger motor.
You may be able to rest it on a lower shelf.
The ice maker is still connected to the electrical supply. Don't try to remove it yet.
Step 7: Disconnect ice maker
Disconnect ice maker plug by loosening the retainer clips by lifting them if possible and then pulling the plug out of the socket. The socket is shown with the plug removed.
This may take some force. You can try lifting the retainer clips with a small flat head screwdriver, but access is difficult.
Remove the ice maker from the freezer compartment.
Step 8: Unfasten the ice auger motor
Use a 1/4" nut driver to remove the two screws securing the ice auger motor to its support brackets.
Step 9: Free the ice auger motor from its support brackets
Lift the ice auger motor to the right to free it from the left hand support bracket.
Lower the ice auger motor to the left, forward and down to allow it to clear the right hand support bracket.
Step 10: Reposition the ice auger motor assembly
Lower the auger motor assembly so that you can access the electrical connection.
Step 11: Disconnect and remove the ice auger motor assembly
The ice auger motor connection is mounted at an angle.
Squeeze the locking tabs on the connector to release it from the socket and pull it out to disconnect it.
Remove the ice auger motor assembly.
Step 12: Remove shelves.
Lift the right edge of the shelf to free it from the clips which secure it.
This may take a bit of force as the clips hold firmly
Once the shelf is lifted, move it to the right and free the tabs on the left edge.
Remove the shelf.
Repeat this for each of the freezer shelves.
Step 13: Remove the light bulb
Unscrew the light bulb and set it aside.
Step 14: Remove the lower evaporator cover
Use a #2 Phillips screwdriver to remove the retaining screws securing the lower evaporator cover.
Step 15:
Remove the lower evaporator cover by pulling it toward you and then rotating it so it will get past the shelf brackets.
Step 16: Remove the evaporator fan cover
Use a 1/4" nut driver to remove the four screws securing the evaporator fan cover to the rear of the refrigerator.
Step 17:
Lift the evaporator fan cover upward to free it.
Pull the top of the evaporator fan cover forward.
Step 18:
Remove the evaporator fan cover.
Step 19: Disconnect the ground connection
Use a 1/4" nut driver to disconnect the ground connection next to the evaporator fan housing.
Step 20: Disconnect the right hand cable
Squeeze the release tabs on the connector located to the right of and above the evaporator fan housing.
Pull the connector toward you to disconnect it.
Step 21: Disconnect the left hand cable
Disconnect the cable located above and to the left of the evaporator fan housing, by squeezing the locking tabs and pulling out the connector.
Step 22: Unfasten the evaporator fan housing
Use a 1/4" nut driver to loosen or remove the screws securing the fan housing to the rear wall of the freezer.
If you loosened the screws, lift the fan housing until the screws are freed from the slots.
Step 23: Reposition the evaporator fan housing
Reposition the evaporator fan housing by lifting it and rotating the top toward you to access the evaporator fan assembly retainer screws.
Step 24: Unclip the defrost thermostat
Defrost thermostat location
Pull the defrost thermostat upward to unclip it from the evaporator tubing.
Step 25: Unclip the defrost thermistor
Defrost thermistor location
Unclip the defrost thermistor from the evaporator tubing..
Step 26: Unclip the heater wires
Unclip both of the heater wires from their foam restraints located near the sides of the evaporator coil to allow the evaporator fan housing to move more freely.
Step 27: Unfasten the evaporator fan motor assembly
Use a 1/4" nut driver to remove the two screws securing the evaporator fan motor assembly to the evaporator fan housing.
Step 28: Reposition the evaporator fan assembly
Lift the evaporator fan motor assembly from the fan housing.
Don't try to completely remove this assembly as it is still connected by several wires to the fan housing
Step 29: Disconnect the evaporator fan assembly
Remove the fan wires from the retaining clip on the fan housing.
Step 30:
Squeeze the locking tabs to release the connector, and pull it apart to disconnect the evaporator fan assembly.
Step 31: Remove evaporator fan motor retainer bracket screws
Fan bracket screw locations are indicated by arrows.
Use a 1/4" nut driver to remove the fan bracket screw that also secures the grounding connection.
Use the same 1/4" nut driver to remove the remaining fan bracket screw. The screw location is shown.
Step 32: Remove fan retainer bracket
Remove the evaporator fan retainer bracket.
Step 33: Remove the evaporator fan blades
Use a pair of pliers as a lever to lift the fan blades and slide them off the shaft of the evaporator fan motor.
You can now replace the evaporator fan motor.
📖 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: $60-$150)
- ✅ Learn new skills
- ❌ Risk of further damage
- ❌ No warranty
- ❌ Requires tools and time
🔧 Professional Repair
- ✅ Expert installation
- ✅ Warranty included
- ✅ Faster turnaround
- ❌ Higher cost ($100-$250)
- ❌ Need to find reputable shop
Environmental Impact
By choosing to repair your GE Side-by-Side Refrigerator instead of replacing it, you're preventing approximately 294 kg of CO₂ emissions. Manufacturing a new GE Side-by-Side Refrigerator generates 300 kg of CO₂, while this repair only produces about 6 kg of CO₂. That's a 98% reduction in carbon emissions!
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