GE Side-By-Side Refrigerator Evaporator Cover Replacement

Written By: Bill Gilbert

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GE Side-By-Side Refrigerator Evaporator Cover Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

25 - 35 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the evaporator cover of your freezer.

The evaporator cover helps to channel air from various parts of the refrigerator through the cold evaporator and evaporator fan. It also protects the evaporator and fan from damage. It functions as the rear wall of the freezer compartment and has vents to allow for directed airflow.

The evaporator cover does not usually fail, except if it becomes unfastened, or if it is plastic, it cracks. In such case the airflow will be affected and the cooling ability of the refrigerator will be reduced.

This guide was created using a GE model GSH25KGMB BB side-by-side refrigerator. Other GE side-by-side units should be similar.

Tools

Step 1

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

Grasp the ice bin and lift it upward slightly.
Pull the bin out of the freezer compartment and remove it.

Step 3

Lift the front edge of the cover 1cm (1/2") and pull the cover out of the freezer compartment.

Step 4

Use a 1/4" nut driver to loosen or remove the two screws securing the ice maker in place.

Step 5

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 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

Use a 1/4" nut driver to remove the two screws securing the ice auger motor to its support brackets.

Step 9

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

Lower the auger motor assembly so that you can access the electrical connection.

Step 11

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

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.