If your refrigerator Ariston stops freezing or makes unusual sounds, the first thing that comes to mind is head to an experienced craftsman - this is a problem with air circulation. In modern models, especially in No Frost systems, a special electric motor with an impeller is responsible for the uniform distribution of cold. Understanding exactly where it is located is a key point for successful diagnosis and subsequent repair.
Many owners of household appliances mistakenly believe that to replace this part they will have to disassemble the entire unit. In fact, access to the unit is most often hidden behind the internal panel of the freezer. Exact location depends on the specific model and year of manufacture of your device, but the layout principle Ariston remains quite similar in most series.
In this article we will look at the anatomy in detail refrigerator so that you can find the fan yourself, check its performance and understand whether it requires replacement or cleaning. A competent approach will save time and avoid calling a specialist for simple operations.
The principle of operation of the No Frost system in Ariston refrigerators
In order to understand why a fan is needed and where to look for it, you need to briefly understand the physics of the process. In refrigerators Ariston with a system No Frost cold is generated in a separate compartment (usually the top part of the freezer), where the evaporator is located. The job of the fan is to force air through this cold radiator and distribute it throughout all the chambers of the refrigerator.
If this mechanism stops, the cold remains localized in the evaporator area, and the food in the main chamber begins to deteriorate. The fan motor turns on synchronously with the start of the compressor. In some modifications, there may be a second fan responsible for air circulation directly in the refrigerator compartment, but the main one is always located in the freezer.
⚠️ Attention: In some models Ariston the fan may not start immediately after turning on the compressor. This is the standard logic of electronics operation, which waits for a certain temperature or timer to be reached. Do not rush to draw conclusions about a breakdown in the first 5-10 minutes of operation.
The design of the unit is usually a compact electric motor mounted on a bracket or evaporator housing, on the shaft of which a plastic impeller is mounted. It is this impeller that creates the air flow. Over time, the motor bearings may dry out, which will lead to the appearance of a characteristic hum or squeak.
The exact location of the fan in the freezer
In the vast majority of refrigerators Ariston, be it built-in models or free-standing, the main fan of the system The defrost switch is located at the top of the freezer compartment. It is hidden behind the rear wall, which is also the air duct housing. To get to it, it is not necessary to remove the entire refrigerator from the niche or move it away from the wall.
Access is from the inside. You will need to completely defrost the chamber (unplug the device for at least 12-24 hours), remove all shelves and drawers. Then the rear plastic panel is removed. It is under it, in the upper part of the niche, above the evaporator, that the required element is located. In two-chamber models, it is often mounted on a common frame with a defrosting heating element.
In models with a bottom freezer (for example, series Ariston BIA or MB) the logic is the same: open the freezer, remove the top cover or back panel. In rare cases, in old Soviet or early imported models with a “crying” evaporator, there may be no fan at all, since natural convection is used there.
Instructions for dismantling the rear panel
To see the fan, you must carefully dismantle the internal elements. This process requires care, as the plastic in old refrigerators Ariston can be fragile. Before starting work, make sure that the device is disconnected from the power supply.
Follow the algorithm of actions to safely open access to the unit:
- 🧊 Completely empty the freezer of food, shelves and plastic containers.
- 🔌 Disconnect the refrigerator from the network and leave it open for at least a day to complete defrosting ice.
- 🔩 Find and unscrew all visible screws securing the back panel (usually there are 2-4 of them, sometimes they are hidden under plugs).
- 🖐️ Carefully unclip the plastic clips around the perimeter of the panel using a flat-head screwdriver and remove the cover.
☑️ Check before disassembly
After removing the panel, you will have a view of the evaporator (aluminum radiator with tubes). The fan will be mounted in a special plastic casing or on a metal bracket directly above or below this radiator. Wires are suitable for it, which can be hidden in a corrugation or cable duct.
Diagnostics of faults: noise, hum or silence
Having understood where the fan of the Ariston refrigerator is located, you need to determine the nature of the fault. Problems with this unit fall into two main categories: mechanical (noise) and electrical (rotation stoppage). If you hear unusual sounds, this often indicates worn bearings or ice on the blades.
The table below shows the main symptoms and their probable causes associated with the fan:
| Symptom | Probable cause | Necessary actions |
|---|---|---|
| Strong hum or howl | Wear of motor bearings | Replacing the fan assembly |
| Crackling or knocking | Ice on the blades or foreign object | Defrosting, checking clearances |
| The refrigerator does not freeze | The fan does not spin (open circuit) | Call with a multimeter, replace |
| Intermittent sound | The impeller touches the wall | Adjusting the blades or replacing |
If the fan is humming but continues to work, its replacement may be delayed, but it is better to do it as soon as possible. Constant vibration can be transmitted to the body, creating resonance. If the motor has completely stopped, the food in the refrigerator compartment will begin to defrost, even if the compressor is humming.
Why can the fan stop?
The main reason for the stop is failure of the motor winding or jamming of the shaft due to lack of lubrication. It is also common for wires to break at the bend where the cable passes through moving parts or door hinges (in some designs).
Replacing a fan: step-by-step algorithm
If diagnostics showed that the element is faulty, it must be replaced. Refrigerators Ariston use standard fans that can be found in appliance parts stores. It is important to choose an analogue with the same geometric dimensions and connection connector.
The replacement process is as follows:
- Disconnect the fan power connector. It may be snapped or twisted.
- Unscrew the screws holding the motor to the bracket or housing.
- Remove the old fan and install the new one in the reverse order.
- Make sure that the impeller rotates freely and does not touch the walls casing.
⚠️ Attention: When installing a new fan, make sure that the direction of rotation of the blades coincides with the arrow on the housing (usually air should blow onto the evaporator). Installation "in reverse" will disrupt circulation and cooling efficiency.
After installation, reassemble the panel in the reverse order. Do not forget to check whether the chamber is tightly closed, since the operation of the sensors that control the fan activation depends on this. It is better to perform the first start without any food to make sure there is no extraneous noise.
Typical mistakes when doing self-repair
Independent repair of refrigeration equipment requires care. One of the common mistakes is trying to lubricate an old fan with oil without removing it. In conditions of low temperatures and high humidity inside the chamber, ordinary oil quickly thickens or leaks, and access to the bearing without completely disassembling the motor is often impossible. This is only a temporary measure that rarely gives a lasting result.
Another mistake is ignoring the condition of the drainage system. If the drain hole is clogged, defrost water can freeze directly on the fan blades, causing the fan to rattle and stall. Before changing a part, make sure that there is no excess ice inside that has formed due to poor water drainage.
Also, do not use force when removing plastic panels. The fastening elements Ariston are made of fairly thin plastic. Broken latches will lead to the appearance of cracks through which cold air will escape, and warm, moist air will enter the chamber, causing the formation of ice.
Is it possible to temporarily make a refrigerator without a fan?
Technically, the refrigerator will work, but the cooling efficiency of the refrigeration chamber will drop to almost zero. The freezer will only freeze around the evaporator. Operation in this mode is possible for a short time, but the products in the upper compartment will deteriorate.
Where to buy an original fan for Ariston?
Original spare parts with the brand logo are rare. Typically, manufacturers use third-party universal components (for example, EBM, Rotor). You need to search by the catalog number indicated on the sticker of the old fan.
Why does the fan not turn on immediately?
This depends on the operating algorithm of the control board. The fan starts only when the sensor detects that the evaporator has cooled down enough so that the air is not warm. A delay of 1-3 minutes after the compressor starts is normal.