How to Test and Replace the Rear Air Duct and Damper on your LG Refrigerator Model LFX25973

Written By: Bill Gilbert

Comments: 1

How to Test and Replace the Rear Air Duct and Damper on your LG Refrigerator Model LFX25973

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

1 - 2 hours

Introduction

Use this guide to test and replace the rear air duct and damper on your LG model LFX25973 refrigerator.

The rear air duct and damper allow cold air from the freezer evaporator to flow into the fresh food (refrigerator) compartment. The damper controls this flow and has a motor to control it.

If the damper malfunctions, the cooling of the refrigerator compartment will be affected: either too cold (damper stuck open) or too warm, (damper stuck shut).

Tools

Step 1

Unplug your refrigerator before you begin your repair.
If you are testing or repairing the following items, you may also need to shut off and disconnect the water supply:
Condenser Fan Motor
Compressor Motor and Thermal Overload Device
Water Supply Valve Assembly

Step 3

Lift up the front edge of the shelf to release it.
Unhook the shelf and remove it.
Repeat the last two steps for each shelf you wish to remove.

Step 4

Pull the crisper drawers toward you and tilt them up to remove them.
Pull the bottom drawer toward you and tilt it up to remove it.

Step 5

Lift the front edge of the drawer frame assembly to release it.

Step 6

Pull the drawer frame assembly toward you and remove it.

Step 7

Use a spudger to pry out the two center shelf bracket screw covers.

Step 8

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the three screws securing the center shelf bracket and air duct:
Two 22.4 mm‑long screws
One 12 mm‑long screw
Remove the center shelf bracket.

Step 9

Use a spudger to loosen one edge of the air duct.

Step 10

Grasp the air duct and swing it outward.
Don't try to remove the air duct fully as it is still connected to the fridge.
Move the air duct so that you can access the connector at the bottom.

Step 11

Squeeze the connector and pull it straight out to disconnect it.

Step 13

If you have a multimeter, you can test the damper motor for proper resistance.
Set the multimeter to the ohm setting.
Measure the resistance between:
The blue and white wires
The yellow and red wires
The normal resistance value is 373-456Ω for each pair.
If the values are out of this range, you can replace the whole assembly. Alternatively, you can cut the tape that holds the styrofoam duct together, remove the damper assembly, and replace it.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.

One comment

While the above instructions are important if a damper is bad, there's a MUCH simpler way to test the dampers! (NOTE: some fridges have more than one. Mine has a main damper connecting freezer and fridge, and a second damper for the meat/deli tray. In the circuit diagram it's called the "Pantry" and has a motor, sensor, etc.

Easier way: pull out fridge, unplug, remove 3 screws mid-left holding the big cover (9x12) in place to access the main circuit board. As shown on the circuit diagram, as well as on the main circuit board, ALL temp sensors (thermistors) AND the damper motors are connected here via one of three large connectors.

Find the correct connector, unplug (there is a squeezable paddle on one side; gently squeeze paddle and gently rock the connector to pull it off.) You need two thin pins to poke into the connector. I have things like that lying around but pretty much any thin wire will do, even a broken tiny paper clip. Measure the resistance (ohms) of just the wire, then measure the motor!

Mr Pete -