WP2315539 Evaporator Fan Motor – What It Fixes & How to Replace
Need the replacement part? Search your model number at for guaranteed fit and fast free shipping.
Understanding the Problem
What this part is and why it matters: WP2315539 is the evaporator (freezer) fan motor that blows cold air over the evaporator coils and circulates cold air through the freezer and refrigerator compartments. When it fails, you commonly get poor cooling, warm refrigerator section, or loud/unusual noises from the freezer. Step‑by‑step diagnosis and repair: 1) Confirm the symptom: Typical signs are warm fridge, cold freezer not circulating, loud squeal/grinding from freezer, or no air movement through vents. Check for heavy frost/ice on the evaporator cover or blocked vents first. 2) Safety + access: Unplug the refrigerator (or shut off breaker). Empty the freezer shelf/contents where needed. Remove ice maker or drawers if they block access. Allow any ice to soften if the evaporator area is heavily iced. 3) Remove evaporator cover: Open the freezer compartment and remove any screws and plastic fasteners holding the evaporator cover/panel. Set screws aside in a small container. 4) Visual & manual inspection: With the cover removed, inspect the fan blade and motor. Try to spin the blade by hand—if it’s stiff, noisy, or won’t spin, the motor is likely bad. Look for ice buildup that might jam the blade. 5) Electrical check (basic): Reconnect power temporarily (careful), and with the evaporator cover off, carefully command a cooling cycle (set thermostat colder or start defrost cycle off). Observe whether the fan turns. If it doesn’t, disconnect power again and perform a continuity test. 6) Continuity test: With power OFF, unplug the motor connector and use a multimeter set to ohms. A healthy motor will show low resistance (typically a few ohms to a few tens of ohms depending on motor). Infinite resistance (OL) means an open winding — motor is bad. Short to chassis indicates internal short. 7) Voltage test (if comfortable): With power ON and fridge calling for cooling, measure voltage at the motor connector. Many Whirlpool evaporator fans run on ~120 VAC (confirm your model manual first). If you have the correct voltage present but the motor doesn’t run, replace the motor. If there is no voltage, the problem may be a control board, thermostat/defrost control, or harness. 8) Remove old motor: With power OFF, remove the retaining screws or clips holding the motor assembly to the evaporator housing. Note orientation of motor and fan blade. Pull the fan blade straight off the motor shaft (may be a friction fit or held by a clip). Disconnect the wiring harness and remove the motor. 9) Install replacement (WP2315539): Fit the fan blade to the new motor shaft (ensure correct seating and direction), mount the motor into the housing, secure screws, reconnect the wiring harness, and reattach evaporator cover. Make sure wiring is routed away from sharp edges and the blade clears all housings. 10) Test operation: Restore power and set the refrigerator to call for cooling. Confirm the fan runs quietly and air is circulating. Check for unusual vibrations and confirm proper airflow through the vents. 11) Finish up: Replace any removed shelves or drawers and monitor temperatures over the next 24 hours to confirm stable cooling. Safety note: Always disconnect power before removing panels and wiring. Be cautious of sharp evaporator fins and metal edges. If you are not comfortable testing live voltage, skip the live voltage test and replace the motor if mechanical checks and continuity testing indicate failure.
Common Symptoms
No air circulation from the freezer vents, refrigerator running but not cooling, loud fan noise from the freezer, or fan runs intermittently.
Common Causes
- Motor bearings seized or worn (fan won’t spin freely)
- Open motor windings (electrical failure inside motor)
- Fan blade iced or obstructed by frost/ice buildup
- No voltage from control board or harness problem (motor receiving no power)
Popular Parts That Fix This Problem
These are the most common replacement parts that fix this problem. When you're ready to order, click below to find the right part at ProsourceParts.com — just search by your appliance model number for a guaranteed fit.
Helpful Repair Tip
Hear a loud squeal or grinding from the freezer? Remove the evaporator cover and try spinning the blade by hand—if it’s stiff or rough the motor bearings are bad and WP2315539 should be replaced.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I be sure WP2315539 is the part I need?
Confirm the symptoms (no airflow, loud freezer noise), remove the evaporator cover to verify the fan motor model physically matches WP2315539, and test the motor for free spin and continuity. If the motor housing number or connector matches WP2315539 and the motor doesn’t spin or shows an open winding, that’s the correct replacement.
Can I run the refrigerator without the evaporator fan while waiting for the part?
No — running without the evaporator fan causes very poor temperature distribution: the freezer may cool a little but the fresh-food section will warm, ice maker and compartments can fail, and the compressor may run longer. If a temporary test is needed, only run the unit briefly while supervising; do not leave it long‑term without a working fan.
Related How-To Videos
Real DIY Repair Stories
Be the first to share your repair story!
Share Your Repair Story
Your experience helps other homeowners fix their appliances. Tell us how it went!
Can't Fix It Yourself? Find a Local Technician
It's perfectly okay to call a professional. Some repairs require specialized tools, deep teardowns, or dealing with complex systems that are better left to the pros.
Find the Right Part for Your Appliance
Don't guess — search your exact appliance model number at ProsourceParts.com to find the correct OEM compatible replacement part. They offer fast free shipping, guaranteed fit, and thousands of parts in stock.
Your Free Parts Videos
Whether your dishwasher won't drain, your dryer stopped heating, or your fridge isn't cold, we've created simple repair guides for the most common appliance problems homeowners face. Each guide explains what's going wrong, the most likely causes, and which replacement parts fix the issue. When you're ready to order, we link directly to ProsourceParts.com where you can search by model number and get the right part shipped fast.