Ge fridge pss26sgrc ss is making a howling/hooting noise from the evaporator fan. the fan seems to speed up and slow down every few seconds and sounds like a hooting owl. is it the motor or the voltage to the motor that is the problem?

Replace the fan, Remove the evaporator cover in the back of freezer, and probably another cover for the fan. Unplug your refer first. Usually their are two screws holding the fan bracket to the wall or mount. disconnect the wires, and replace. Their is a newer model evap fan motor that does not have wiring terminals to disconnect, it is hard wired together and you have to practically remove everything in the freezer compartment to get at it. You have to cut wiring and splice the new fan motor in. Fairly tough job. Usually an evaporator fan motor bearing fails from the refer being moved or in storage for a few days at least with the doors closed and the unit unplugged. This allows all that moisture that was in the freezer to get into the metal parts of the fan motor and cause this problem. To prevent this always block the doors open if your refer is going to be off for a few days. This will allow the unit to dry out without damage. Sometimes it was just a bad motor from the factory. Good Luck, Appliance Specialists

GE refrigerators have a faulty design, and so don't defrost completely, so ice builds up in the evaporator coils and on and in the evap. fan motor. Melting the ice will make the fridge more efficient, and the fan quiet again.

The slow, easy way to fix is take out all the food, unplug the fridge, leave doors open all day. Ice will melt, and all will be fine ... for a few months, until the ice builds up again. The fast way is here.

what kind of ref is it ?

I have had some of these units making noises like this. One I found was leaking water down from the water inlet tube and in behind the ice maker and behind another panel that shoots up to the ice maker and building up behind that panel and causing a whistling sound. Removing the ice build up solved this one problem but couldn't find solution to the problem for the other. Dismissed it to change in the weather and expanding and contracting of the liner of the unit. Hope this helps.

Replace the fan motor is my guess to cure the noise.

Bad computer board in back of fridge, unable to control motor speed causing motor to hunt

It is very common for the fan inside the freezer to develop a loud noise as it runs. Its in an environment that is hard on them, cold, wet. Its a small and simple motor, and you are right in believing there will be more problem in the future, as the stator is probably touching the housing. It has a sleeve type bearing, and its probably worn a little causing the shaft to wobble. Eventually it will stop completely and the freezer will get warm.

hurlsdad.

Sounds like a noisy evaporator fan. Take the shelves out ot the freezer then take the panels on the back wall of the freezer off. The fan will be there. Then you will know for sure thats the source of the noise. When it is time to replace it...easy fix. (few screws) Here is an excellent source for the part..www.repairclinic.com. My favorite place for appliance parts.

hope this is helpful,

handiman518

For GE Model# GSS25SGRESS
replace the evap fan motor in the freezer..or have it checked

PART# WR60X10185 W/O THERMISTOR
PART# WR60X10074 WITH THERMISTOR

You are correct in believing the fan is going to be a problem. The evaporator fans inside the freezer compartment are common at going bad. I believe it is due to the extreme temperature and moisture conditions inside the application. The noise is the stator or bearing equivalent going out, the speed should remain constant. It may eventually make a screeching noise upon start up, or just lock up completely. The good news is replacements are relatively cheap and easy to find. If you do replace it yourself, make sure the fan blades are blowing in the right direction. If possible, remove the old one and bring it with you to the local appliance parts supplier and he should be able to help you get the right one, it will probably be a kit of some sort with multiple mounting brackets, screws, and maybe even a couple of blades. don't let this intimidate you. Most of this you will not use.