The convection fan motor in your Whirlpool gas range helps move air around the oven for more even baking and roasting. Over time, the motor can wear out from regular use. If the motor fails, your oven may not cook food properly, and you might hear grinding or clicking noises coming from the back of the appliance.
Using an oven with a faulty convection fan motor can lead to more cooking problems. It is best to replace the motor as soon as you notice any issues.
Replacing the fan motor yourself can save you the cost of a service call and help you get your oven working properly again.
Here is how to do it.
Signs Your Convection Fan Motor Needs Replacement
Recognizing the symptoms of a failing motor can save you from bigger problems later. Common signs include:
- Unusual noises: Grinding, rattling, or clicking sounds coming from the oven’s rear wall.
- Uneven cooking: Baked goods or roasted foods come out undercooked in some areas and overcooked in others.
- Oven not heating properly: The convection setting fails to maintain the correct temperature.
- Visible damage: Burn marks, melted wires, or a seized motor shaft.
- Motor not spinning: The fan blade is still or struggles to turn when convection mode is activated.
Tools You Will Need
- Socket or wrench set: For removing the screws and mounting nuts that hold the fan motor.
- Needle-nose pliers: Helpful for disconnecting and reconnecting the motor wires.
- Multimeter: For testing the old motor and wiring connections.
- Work light: So you can clearly see the screws, wires, and other parts.
- Safety gloves: To protect your hands from sharp edges and metal surfaces.
Safety Precautions
Before you start, remember that safety comes first. Always take proper precautions to avoid injury or damage to your appliance. Here are some important safety steps:
- Unplug the Appliance: Disconnect the range from power or switch off the circuit breaker to avoid electrical shock.
- Turn Off the Gas Supply: Shut off the gas before beginning any work.
- Let the Oven Cool: If the appliance was recently used, wait until it has cooled completely.
- Work Carefully: Move slowly and avoid rushing to prevent accidents.
- Use Proper Lighting: A work light will help you see the small parts clearly.
- Clear the Area: Keep your workspace free from clutter, and keep children and pets away.
- Keep Dry: Make sure your hands and the work area are completely dry before starting.
- Check the User Manual: Look for any model-specific instructions or warnings that might apply.
- Handle Parts Gently: Do not force any part or connection, which could cause damage or injury.
- Wear Protective Gear: Use insulated gloves to protect your hands and consider wearing safety glasses or a dust mask if there is a lot of dust or debris.
How to Test and Replace a Convection Fan Motor
Follow these steps to check if your convection fan motor is faulty and to replace it if necessary.
Identifying Symptoms
- Check if the convection fan does not spin or spins very slowly when using convection bake or roast modes.
- Listen for uneven grinding or clicking noises coming from the back of the oven when it is in convection mode.
- Observe if food is taking much longer to cook than the recipe estimates.
- Notice if meats burn on the outside while remaining raw on the inside.
Testing the Motor
- Disconnect the power by unplugging the range or switching off the circuit breaker.
- Turn off the gas supply to the range.
- Set a multimeter to the Rx1 resistance scale.
- Locate the convection fan motor at the back of the range behind the rear panel.
- Identify the terminals where the wires are connected to the motor.
- Touch the multimeter test leads to the terminals.
- Read the resistance measurement; a good motor should show between 8 and 12 ohms.
- If the reading is outside this range, replace the motor.
Removing the Old Motor
- Turn off the gas supply and electrical power to the range.
- Open the oven door and insert hinge removal pins into the hinge hangers using an Allen wrench or small screwdriver if necessary.
- Close the oven door slightly and lift it carefully without using the handle to remove it from the slots.
- Remove all racks from inside the oven.
- Remove the three screws from the convection cover inside the oven and take off the cover, noting the location of the notch for reinstallation.
- Remove the two screws from the convection bake element and pull the element forward.
- Disconnect the wires from the bake element terminals.
- Use a 10 mm or 7/16-inch socket to remove the hex nut from the convection fan by turning it clockwise since it has a left-rotation thread.
- Remove the three convection fan motor screws from the back of the oven liner.
- Pull the range away from the wall to access the rear panel.
- Remove the two screws from the top and bottom braces and take out the braces from the range.
- Remove the eight screws securing the rear panel and take off the panel from the range.
- Remove the two screws securing the convection fan motor.
- Disconnect the wires from the motor and pull the old motor out of the oven.
Installing the New Motor
- Connect the wires to the new fan motor.
- Mount the new motor to the oven using the provided screws.
- Reconnect the wires to the convection heating element terminals.
- Reinstall the convection heating element into place.
- Reinstall the convection cover, making sure the notch is correctly aligned.
- Reattach the rear panel and secure it with the screws.
- Reinstall the top and bottom braces.
- Grasp the sides of the oven door and tilt it back slightly.
- Insert the hinge hangers into the hinge slots as far as they will go.
- Rotate the top of the door toward the range so the hinge hangers fit onto the support pins.
- Close the oven door as far as the pins will allow and check that the hinge hangers are fully seated.
- Open the oven door and remove the hinge hanger pins.
- Close the oven door completely and check its alignment.
- Reconnect power to the range and restore the gas supply.
- Test the oven to confirm the fan motor operates correctly and the oven heats properly.
What’s Next?
Once you spot the signs of a failing convection fan motor, taking quick action can save you a lot of time and trouble. With the right steps and a little focus, swapping out the motor is very doable. A working fan means even cooking and fewer headaches down the road, so it is worth tackling the job head-on.