How to Install Frigidaire Freezer Evaporator Fan Motor Assembly 5304442620 in a Tappan Freezer
Quick answer: Unplug the freezer and move the food to coolers, then remove the shelves and the rear interior panel to expose the evaporator coil and fan. Unplug the fan harness, unbolt the motor bracket, fit 5304442620 with the blade facing the same way, reconnect, refit the panel and listen for steady airflow.
The evaporator fan motor assembly 5304442620 is the fan that pulls air across the evaporator coil inside an upright freezer and pushes it through the cabinet. Without it the coil gets cold but the air never moves, so the back wall frosts heavily while the front shelves warm up and the compressor runs nonstop. A fan that clicks, chirps, runs slowly or stays silent while the compressor hums is the classic reason to order this part. It replaces several earlier numbers, among them 297318010, 5304511843 and 216690400.
The job is a straightforward swap once you reach the fan, but reaching it means emptying the freezer and working inside a cold cabinet. Plan ahead: have coolers ready, let the freezer defrost enough that the rear panel screws are not iced over, and give yourself good light.
See part details and every compatible model: 5304442620
- Unplug the freezer before removing the interior panel. The fan and defrost circuits are live whenever power is connected.
- Move frozen food to coolers before you start; safe food handling matters more than speed here.
- Wear gloves. Evaporator fins are razor-thin and the fan blade edges are sharp.
- Do not pry on the evaporator coil or its tubing to reach the fan. A punctured coil ends the repair.
Tools and Parts You Need
- Phillips screwdriver and a quarter-inch nut driver
- Small socket set for the motor bracket nuts
- Needle-nose pliers for the wiring connector
- Coolers or a second freezer for the food
- Hair dryer or towels to clear frost from the rear panel
- Flashlight or headlamp
Step-by-Step Installation
- Unplug and empty the freezer Pull the plug and move all food to coolers. Remove the shelves or baskets in front of the rear wall so the interior panel is fully exposed.
- Clear frost from the rear panel If the back wall is iced over, let the door stand open or warm the panel gently with a hair dryer until the screws and panel edges are free. Never chip ice with a screwdriver near the coil.
- Remove the rear interior panel Undo the screws around the panel edge and lift it away. On some Tappan uprights the panel also has clips along the top or slides up out of a channel at the bottom, so ease it out rather than bending it.
- Photograph the fan and harness With the panel off you will see the evaporator coil with the fan mounted above or beside it in a bracket or shroud. Photograph the blade orientation, the direction the motor faces and where the harness plug sits before disconnecting anything.
- Disconnect and remove the old motor Squeeze the release on the harness connector and pull it off. Loosen the nuts or screws holding the motor bracket to the shroud, lift the motor with its blade clear of the coil, and if your new assembly did not include a blade, pull the old blade straight off the shaft and note which way it faced.
- Install 5304442620 Set the new motor into the bracket with the shaft pointing the same direction as the old one and tighten the fasteners. Press the blade onto the shaft with the same face outward as before so that air moves in the correct direction, then plug the harness connector on until it clicks.
- Spin test before closing Turn the blade by hand one full revolution. It should turn freely with no ticking against the shroud or coil and the blade should sit centered in the opening.
- Refit the panel and restart Slide the interior panel back into place, replace all screws, reinstall the shelves and plug the freezer in. Close the door and listen at the back wall for a steady, smooth airflow sound within a minute or two.
Fit Checks Before You Call the Job Done
- The blade spins a full turn by hand without touching the shroud, the coil or the panel.
- The blade faces the same direction as the original so air is pushed forward into the cabinet, not back toward the coil.
- The harness connector is fully latched and does not pull off with gentle tension.
- The motor bracket is tight and does not rattle when you tap the shroud.
- The rear interior panel sits flush with every screw in place and no wires pinched behind it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Installing the blade backwards A reversed blade moves far less air and blows toward the coil instead of the cabinet. Match the face of the old blade exactly.
Chipping ice off the panel Prying at frost near the coil can puncture a refrigerant line. Let it melt or use gentle warm air.
Skipping the defrost heater check Heavy frost around the fan often means the defrost system also has a fault. Inspect the heater and thermostat while the panel is off.
Leaving the harness half-connected A connector that looks on but is not latched will vibrate loose in a week. Listen for the click.
Troubleshooting After Installation
New fan does not run at all Check that the harness connector is latched and that the door switch, if present, is not holding the fan off. Many freezers stop the fan while the door is open.
Fan runs but freezer still warm at the front The blade is likely reversed or the rear panel is blocking the airflow path. Recheck blade orientation and panel seating.
Ticking or scraping noise The blade is contacting the shroud or coil, or ice is building on it. Recenter the motor in the bracket and inspect the defrost system.
Care Tips After the Repair
- Keep the freezer door seal clean and closing tightly so moist air does not frost the coil and fan.
- Do not pack food against the rear wall; leave a gap so air can circulate.
- Vacuum dust from the condenser and rear grille once or twice a year to reduce run time.
- If frost builds on the back wall again, have the defrost system checked before the fan ices up.
Compatible Models (Sample)
This part is listed for 397 Tappan models in our fitment data. Always confirm your exact model number on the appliance's rating plate.
Replaces or is replaced by: 297318010, 5304511843, 5304518034, 5308005500, 216690400, 216705000, 216705100, 216732200
Repair Difficulty and Time
Difficulty: Moderate. Typical time: 45 to 75 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know the evaporator fan is the problem?
With the door open and the door switch pressed, you should hear the fan behind the rear panel. If the compressor is running, the rear wall is frosted and there is no fan noise, the fan is the likely fault.
Does 5304442620 include the fan blade?
The assembly includes the motor and its wiring. If your kit arrives without a blade, transfer the old blade to the new shaft in the same orientation.
Which freezers use this fan?
It is listed for 397 models in our fitment data, including TFU14F7BW2, TFU16F7AW3, GFU20F7AW4, CFU17F3HW3 and GFU17F5AW0. Check your model plate to confirm.
Final Checklist
- Freezer unplugged and food moved to coolers
- Shelves removed and frost cleared from the rear panel
- Rear interior panel removed without prying near the coil
- Blade orientation and harness photographed
- Old motor removed and 5304442620 mounted in the bracket
- Blade installed facing the same way as the original
- Harness connector latched with a click