How To Fix GE Refrigerator Making Revving Noise?

GE refrigerators are high-quality appliances. But sometimes, it can make a revving noise that can worry you. If you want to know the reasons behind it, you are at the right place.

A faulty evaporator fan blade and motor, a faulty condenser fan blade and motor, a damaged water inlet valve, or a faulty power control board can cause a GE refrigerator to make a revving noise. You must inspect the refrigerator to find the exact issue and fix it accordingly.

In this article, I will share why the GE refrigerator makes a revving noise and how you can fix it. So, keep reading.

Check out our list of top-handpicked products for all your electrical, appliance, and HVAC system needs to keep your home running smoothly.

This post includes some affiliate links.

Why my GE refrigerator makes a revving noise?

These are some reasons why your GE refrigerator is making a revving noise.

You must read it thoroughly to know which part or parts make the revving noise.

1. Damaged or faulty evaporator fan blade

The evaporator fan blade locates on top of the freezer behind the top shelf’s air cover.

It helps the cool air circulate inside the freezer.

If the fan blade becomes damaged or the blades break, it can cause a revving noise inside the GE refrigerator.

2. Damaged condenser fan blade

The condenser fan blade is located at the bottom of the freezer inside the rear access panel.

It helps to make the condenser coil cool.

But if the blade is broken and damaged, it can make a revving noise inside the freezer.

In this case, you should replace the condenser fan blade.

3. Failed evaporator fan motor

The evaporator fan motor locates behind the evaporator fan blade.

The motor and the blade are connected through a motor shaft.

If there is any problem with the motor, or if the motor does not work properly, it can cause the issue of the revving noise of the GE refrigerator.

4. Faulty water inlet valve

A water inlet valve is located inside the back panel of the refrigerator.

The water inlet valve is the main component that helps water flow into the freezer through the water supply line.

Sometimes the water inlet valve can be faulty.

And a faulty water inlet valve can be a reason behind the revving noise made by the refrigerator.

5. Damaged condenser fan motor

A condenser fan motor is present behind the condenser fan blade.

The condenser fan blade and the motor are connected through a motor shaft.

The condenser motor helps the blade to move.

If the motor is damaged or faulty, the fan can make a noise.

It can be a big reason why the refrigerator makes a revving noise.

6. A malfunctioning power control board

A power control board located backside of the refrigerator and the upper side of the rear access panel helps to circulate signals throughout the refrigerator.

If you make any changes to your freezer control panel, the signals immediately come to the control board.

If the power control board malfunctions, it can send many confusing signals to other parts of the refrigerator.

That can be why the GE refrigerator makes a revving noise.

How to fix the GE refrigerator that makes a revving noise?

Once you understand the exact issue, it is time to fix it, so the revving noise stops.

1. Replace the evaporator fan blade

An evaporator fan blade may be why the GE refrigerator makes a revving noise.

To fix or replace the evaporator fan blade, follow the below steps:

  • Disconnect the power to the refrigerator. You can do it by unplugging the refrigerator’s power cord or shutting off the electric fuse.
  • Once it is done, move it to the top shelf of your refrigerator. 
  • Open the freezer door and remove the items on the top shelf. The items can be an ice bin or one or two shelves. To remove a shelf, you need to push the shelf to the right or the left until the opposite pin pulls out. Now, tilt it down, lift it, and set it aside. If there is any ice bin, you must remove it. To do that, lift the ice bin, pull it forward and remove it.
  • The next step is to remove the air cover at the back if your freezer has one. To remove the air cover, you need to unthread the screws that hold the air cover down to the floor of the freezer. Once the screws are removed, lift that air cover away from the back wall and set it aside.
  • Now you can find the evaporator fan. You can pull out the fan, but it can be difficult. To remove the fan, first, you need to remove the rear evaporator cover. You need to remove the air duct assembly from the freezer floor to do that. The air duct assembly varies from model to model. If you do not find one, then don’t be worried. Your model is different. So you can follow the next step.
  • Take a putty knife and push it under the edges of the air duct assembly to make sure you free that up. Do it carefully, and make sure you do not damage the part.
  • Once it is done, remove the screws of the rear evaporator cover with a screwdriver. Also, remove the screws that hold the fan motor bracket.
  • Now you can get full access to the fan. You also can find wires connected to the fan. You need to disconnect the wiring looms to that evaporator fan motor. Depress the locking tabs and separate the wiring looms. If you find any other wires, you must disconnect them.
  • Once it is done, unthread the screws, securing the fan motor bracket to the back of the freezer wall.
  • Now you can get access to the fan blade. Pull off the fan blade from the evaporator motor shaft. You can use your hand as well as a plier.
  • When you remove the blade, check if you can find any debris on the motor shaft. If you find it, then clean the motor shaft.
  • Now replace a new motor blade on the evaporator motor shaft by pressing it.
  • Once the motor blade is secured on the motor shaft, put the whole assembly back into place. Ensure you do not pinch the wiring loom that goes over to defrost the heater thermostat.
  • Now screw up the assembly, and connect the wires and wire harness.
  • Once done, put the evaporator cover back and screw it up.
  • Once the cover is secured, install the air duct carefully, slide it in easily, don’t force it, and tighten it against the evaporator cover.
  • Now install the air cover back. Ensure the two plastic locks fit the vertical slots on the evaporator cover.
  • Now secure it by screwing it up at the bottom.
  • Now install the shelf and the ice bin. And you are done with the replacement.
  • Close the door and connect the power. Check if you can resolve the issue.

2. Fix or replace the evaporator fan motor

To replace the evaporator fan motor, follow the below steps:

  • First, unplug the power cord and open the freezer door.
  • After opening the freezer door, remove the shelf by lifting it to the left side and pushing it to the left. Now lift the right side and push it to the right with the whole thing.
  • Now pull it forward slightly and take it aside.
  • Now use a quarter-inch nut driver and remove the screws on each side of the air cover.
  • Next, pull up this air cover and take it out.
  • Now remove the air duct at the bottom of the freezer and remove the rear evaporator cover, following the steps I described in the previous section.
  • Now you can get access to the evaporator fan motor.
  • Follow the previous section’s steps to remove the fan motor with the front bracket And remove the fan blade.
  • Once it is done, remove the front bracket from the motor and replace it with a new one.
  • To install the new motor, you need to put the front bracket in its place on the shaft.
  • Now put the fan blade in its place.
  • Next, grab the round face wire and bend it conveniently to reach the hole on the side of the front bracket. Now place a screw through the hole and install it inside the freezer. Now tight the screw and also tight the other screws.
  • Once it is done, reinstall all the refrigerator parts again, following the steps I described in the previous section.
  • Once all the parts are installed, close the freezer door and plug in the power cord to the power source.
  • Finally, you replace the evaporator fan motor. Now the refrigerator is ready to use.          

3. Replace the condenser fan blade

A faulty condenser fan blade can make a revving noise.

To fix the issue, you need to follow the below steps thoroughly:

  • First, unplug the refrigerator’s power cord from the power source.
  • Now move the refrigerator away from the wall. Take help from your family member or you can do it yourself if you can.
  • Now go to the backside of the refrigerator and remove the lower rear access panel at the bottom.
  • To remove the lower access panel, you need a ¼ inch screwdriver to unthread the upper center screw securing the waterline retainer and lower rear access panel.
  • Next, unthread all the remaining screws securing the access panel using the 5/16-inch nut driver.
  • Once the screws are unthreaded, lift the panel to remove them.
  • Now reach inside, and pull the old fan blade off the condenser motor shaft.
  • To install the new condenser fan blade, align it on the motor shaft and press to confirm if it is fully seated.
  • Now replace the lower rear access panel by aligning the bottom tabs first.
  • Re-thread the screws.
  • Secure the waterline behind the retainer and re-thread the upper center screw.
  • Move the refrigerator back against the wall.
  • Plug the refrigerator power cord back in.
  • Now the refrigerator is ready to use.

4. Replace the condenser fan motor

A condenser fan motor help to cool the condenser coil and move the fan blade.

But if the motor is damaged, it can cause the revving noise issue.

To fix the issue, you need to follow the below steps:

  • First, unplug the refrigerator. Now move it away from the wall so you can inspect the backside of the refrigerator. Now follow the steps described in the last section to remove the lower rear access panel at the bottom of the refrigerator.
  • Now, look at the location of the fan motor. You can find the wires there. Disconnect the wires through the wiring looms by unlocking the locking tab.
  • Once it is done, push the fan blade off the old motor. To do that, reach in there and push the blade off the motor shaft.
  • Next, remove the mounting screws that secure the motor mounting bracket using a 5/16-inch screwdriver.
  • Now pull the whole assembly out.
  • Once done, remove the rear mounting bracket and the two rubber motor mounts, one on the front side and the other on the rear side.
  • Now discard the old motor and reinstall the rubber motor mounts on the new motor assembly.
  • Press the back of the motor into the rear motor mount. Now take the whole assembly, line up that front rubber mount into the front motor bracket, and screw up the whole assembly.
  • Now reconnect the wiring looms and reinstall the fan blade. Make sure the fan moves freely, and there is no obstruction.
  • Now reinstall the rear access panel of the refrigerator, and your refrigerator is ready to use.

5. Replace the water inlet valve

Sometimes a faulty water inlet valve also causes the revving noise of the GE refrigerator.

To replace the water inlet valve, follow the below steps:

  • First, unplug the refrigerator and go to the back side of the refrigerator so that you can access the rear access panel.
  • Now you need to disconnect the water supply. First, turn off the water valve, then disconnect it at the inlet water valve.
  • Next, remove the back panel. To do it, you need to remove the screws on the back access panel of the refrigerator. Take care that you do not damage the back panel.
  • Once the rear access panel is removed, set it aside.
  • If you have not already removed the inlet water line from the water valve, you should turn the supply off now and disconnect the water line.
  • Now remove the screw that secures the bracket to the side of the refrigerator with a 5/16-inch screwdriver.
  • Lift gently on the valve, tilt it to the side, and you can pull it out far enough to access the tubing, and the wiring looms at the back.
  • Disconnect both looms; they are different in size, so you can’t mix them up.
  • Now disconnect the two outlets from the valves are two different sizes as well. They have quick connect coupling on them, so push in on that collet until it is flashed up against the valve, and at the same time, pull the tubing out. There may be some water that comes out of those tubes.
  • Now discard the old valves.
  • Before reconnecting the tubing, inspect its ends, if there are any crimps. If you find one, then it is a good time to trim it a little with a utility knife. Make a nice square cut across the end of the hose.
  • Now insert the tubing into the new valve, and push it in until it bottoms out. Just give it a little tug to make sure it is secure. Ensure you root the line that feeds the icemaker out through the front of the valve assembly. There is a little slot that it slides into.
  • Push that tubing back down behind that compressor tubing.
  • Reconnect the wiring looms now.
  • Insert the little hook on the water valve bracket into a small hole on the side of the cabinet.
  • Now put the screw in its place.
  • Once done, remove the black protective cover from the inlet and reconnect the water supply.
  • Turn the water supply on to check for any leaks there.
  • Now put the back panel on and screw it up.
  • Now reconnect the power and water supply. And the repair is done.

6. Fix the control board

To fix the control board, follow the below steps carefully:

  • First, unplug the water supply and power supply of your refrigerator.
  • Then move to the backside of the refrigerator. You can find a board upside the rear access panel. Some screws screw up the cover. Remove those screws by using a screwdriver.
  • Once the cover is removed, you can access the control board. You must remove the wiring connections one by one before removing the board.
  • Disconnect all the plugs, and wobble them out of the way. Do not pull on the wires, which could damage the wiring loom. Leave the ground wire on.
  • Once it is done, now you can find the four little plastic studs that hold the control board in its place. Sometimes you can pull it off easily, but if you depress the stud on them, the board should slide right off.
  • Now check the board’s capacitors to see if they are damaged or burned out. If you find they are damaged or heating up, you should replace them.
  • To replace the capacitor, take the same volt of new capacitors, remove the old ones, and install the new ones.
  • But you should replace the control board if the problem is with the control board itself. To check the control board, take a multimeter and inspect the continuity of the board. If it stops the continuity, you need to replace it.
  • To replace the control board, you need to buy a new one, line it up over the four mounting studs, and press it into place. Press as close to each stud.
  • Now reinstall the wiring looms and seat the studs firmly in their sockets.
  • Once you have installed the board completely, put the back cover on.
  • Now reinstall all the screws and tighten them up. Now your refrigerator is ready to use. 

Final words

The refrigerator is an essential part of our daily life, and it is annoying if it makes a revving noise. I have described all the possible reasons and their solutions above, which should help you fix the issue.

Ensure you follow all the safety protocols, for instance, unplugging the refrigerator’s power cord and wearing rubber gloves when you repair the refrigerator. If you find it difficult to fix your GE refrigerator, call for professional help.

Related Articles:


Reference: GE refrigerator official guide, GE refrigerator FAQ.

Sharing is caring!

Jeniffer Smith

Hi, I am Jeniffer Smith, a housemaker and blogger, and I grew up in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. I have been researching and fixing appliances and other things around the home and kitchen from a young age to help my single mother. Every time something went wrong, I couldn't rest until I fixed it. And ever since, I have enjoyed fixing things around my home, and I am always ready to help my friends and family with advice and hands-on help. Since we were always looking for affordable ways of fixing things, we rarely hired experts and tried to fix most things ourselves. That interest brought me to write for this blog, as I realized my knowledge could help many people trying to fix things around their homes on their own without spending hundreds of dollars.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts