When refrigerator Ariston the required temperature is no longer maintained, and a “coat” of ice appears on the walls, the owner’s first thought is often to search for a faulty unit. In modern models with a No Frost or combined cooling system, the key element of air circulation is the fan. Understanding exactly where it is located is the first step to successfully diagnosing and restoring the unit's functionality.
The location of this important component depends on the specific design of your model, be it a two-compartment refrigerator or a more complex multi-door system. In most cases, the fan is hidden behind decorative panels, which requires careful dismantling of the internal elements. Important to know: Ariston refrigerators most often use one or two fans - one for the freezer (evaporation) and, in some models, the second for the refrigerator compartment.
Before starting disassembly, you need to turn off the power to the device and prepare a set of tools. A Phillips head screwdriver and a flat blade spudger are usually sufficient to remove the plastic latches. You should not make excessive efforts, as plastic becomes brittle at low temperatures and can crack even from slight pressure.
Main types of fans in Ariston technology
The brand's refrigeration equipment Ariston, as in most modern units, uses electric motors with an axial-type impeller. They are responsible for the forced circulation of air masses, ensuring uniform cooling of products. Structurally, these units are divided according to installation location and purpose, which directly affects the troubleshooting algorithm.
The most common is evaporation fan, which is mounted directly in the freezer compartment behind the rear wall. It is he who drives cold air from the evaporator through the channels into the refrigeration compartment. If you hear a hum, but there is no cold, the problem most often lies in this unit or in its freezing.
The second type is motor fanwhich is installed at the bottom of the refrigerator, next to the compressor. Its task is to cool the condenser (radiator on the rear wall) and the motor-compressor itself, preventing them from overheating. In some models it turns on only when the compressor is running, in others - by the condenser temperature sensor.
- 🌀 Axial fan: classical design with blades that creates an air flow along the axis of rotation.
- ❄️ Evaporative module: works at low temperatures, often has bearing lubrication.
- 🔥 Condenser module: designed to operate in the high temperature zone near the compressor.
Searching for the evaporation fan in the freezer chamber
If your refrigerator Ariston stops freezing in the top compartment, but there is cold in the freezer (or vice versa), first of all you need to check the evaporation fan. It is located in the freezer compartment, behind the rear panel. To access it, you will need to completely defrost the chamber, since the presence of ice blocks access and may cause the impeller to stop.
The search process begins with dismantling all shelves and drawers of the freezer. Then the back plastic panel, which is often secured with hidden latches and a few screws, is carefully removed. After removing the panel, your view will be revealed evaporator (radiator) and a nearby electric motor with a plastic impeller.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to try to remove the back panel without completely defrosting the refrigerator. Plastic becomes brittle (brittle) in the cold, and you risk breaking the fasteners, which will lead to the need to replace the entire wall.
Visually inspect the assembly: sometimes the impeller gets jammed with a piece of ice or a foreign object. If there is no ice and the fan does not work when the refrigerator is on, you will need to “ring” the motor windings with a multimeter. Normal resistance should be within a few hundred Ohms or kOhms, depending on the motor model.
☑️ Diagnostics of the evaporation fan
Location of the motor fan (cooling compressor)
Unlike the evaporator unit, the motor cooling fan is located in a completely different part of the unit. In refrigerators Ariston it is located in the compressor niche, which is located at the lower rear of the device. You can get to it by moving the refrigerator away from the wall and removing the lower back cover (if provided by the design) or simply looking into the compartment.
This fan is often mounted on a bracket next to the black compressor tank or on the condenser itself (grid). Its operation is critical during the hot season or when the refrigerator is heavily loaded with food. If this unit fails, the compressor will overheat and turn off via a thermal relay, which is why the refrigerator will work with long interruptions or stop cooling altogether.
Checking the motor fan requires caution, since there are high-voltage live parts nearby. Before inspection, be sure to unplug the power cord. Check the cleanliness of the blades: over the years, dust and animal hair can create a dense “felt boot” that will prevent the porch from unwinding.
- 🔌 Power supply: check the integrity of the wires going to the motor, they should not be frayed or melted.
- 🧹 Cleanliness: regular cleaning dust in the compressor area prolongs the life of the fan.
- 🔊 Noise: extraneous sounds often indicate wear of the shaft bearings.
Disassembly diagram and access to the unit
Access to the insides of the refrigerator Ariston requires a systematic approach. The design of plastic panels may differ depending on the year of manufacture and series (for example Hotpoint Ariston or older models). However, the general principle remains the same: movement from simple to complex, from external elements to internal ones.
To dismantle the freezer panel, use a spatula or plastic card. Metal tools may scratch or damage the plastic. Move around the perimeter of the panel, carefully releasing the latches. Screws, if any, are usually hidden under decorative plugs or located in the depths of the drawer handles.
Secrets of fastening Ariston panels
In some Ariston models, the upper part of the rear panel of the freezer is not held on by screws, but by powerful latches that need to be lifted simultaneously from both sides. If you pull the panel towards you without unlocking the upper clamps, you can break the “ears” of the fasteners.
After removing the panel, you will have access to evaporator and the fan. Pay attention to the method of mounting the motor itself: it can be screwed to the evaporator body or rest on rubber shock absorbers to reduce vibration. The power connector should be disconnected by grasping the body of the chip itself, and not the wires.
| Element | Location | Function | Frequent problem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evaporation fan | Freezer compartment, behind the back wall | Cold circulation | Freezing, bearing wear |
| Motor fan | Bottom at the back, near the compressor | Engine cooling | Dust contamination, broken wire |
| Defroster (heating element) | Under the evaporator | Ice defrosting | Coil burnout |
| Defrost sensor | On the evaporator | Temperature control | Incorrect indications |
Fault diagnosis and replacement
If you find that the fan in the refrigerator Ariston does not rotate, do not rush to buy a new one. First make sure there is voltage coming to it. To do this, turn on the refrigerator, open the door (or press the door sensor if the fan is blocked when opening) and bring the multimeter to the connector contacts.
Lack of voltage may indicate a malfunction control module or the door sensor. If there is voltage (usually 220V for motor ones or a certain DC/AC for evaporative ones), but the motor is silent or humming, the problem is in the motor itself. The shaft often jams due to dried grease or moisture.
⚠️ Attention: When replacing the fan, make sure that the new part has identical parameters: supply voltage, overall dimensions and direction of rotation. Installing a fan with the reverse direction of rotation will disrupt air circulation and lead to breakdown.
Replacement is carried out in the reverse order of disassembly. When installing a new unit, check the free movement of the impeller - it should rotate easily, without touching the walls of the housing. After assembling and turning on, check the operation of the device: after 10-15 minutes a flow of cold air should appear from the channels.
Prevention and care of the ventilation system
To prevent the question “where is the fan in the Ariston refrigerator” from arising too often due to breakdowns, you must follow simple operating rules. The system No Frost is sensitive to the quality of door sealing. If the seal does not fit tightly, moist air enters the chamber, which quickly turns into ice and blocks the fan.
Regular defrosting (even for No Frost systems) at least once a year helps clean hard-to-reach places from ice chips and dust. You should also avoid loading hot foods into the chamber, as excessive steam formation puts a strain on the entire moisture removal and ventilation system.
Keep the condenser at the back of the refrigerator clean. A radiator clogged with dust causes the motor fan to work with overload, which reduces its life. It is recommended to vacuum the rear grille every 6 months.
Why does the fan only work when the door is open?
In some models Ariston The door sensor controls not only the light, but also stopping the fan so as not to blow the cold out. If the fan spins only when the door is open, the sensor itself may be faulty or the control circuit is broken, and the system “thinks” that the door is constantly open.
Is it possible to temporarily operate a refrigerator without a fan?
Operation without an evaporation fan is possible, but ineffective. The cold will only be in the freezer near the walls, and in the refrigerator compartment the temperature will rise, which will lead to food spoilage. Operating without a motor fan in summer can lead to overheating and combustion of the compressor.
How to distinguish fan noise from compressor noise?
Fan noise is usually monotonous, with a characteristic hum or crackle (if the bearing is broken), and it changes or stops when the door is opened. The compressor noise is lower frequency, vibrating and does not depend on the position of the door.