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TBFM21VAB General Electric Refrigerator - Instructions

All Instructions for the TBFM21VAB
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unusually noisy
Removed the three screws from old motor body-bracket assembly , pulled off 1/4'' spade terminals and removed shield from terminal block for re-use.
Removed fan from old unit and installed on new,
screwed new motor in place, replaced terminal wires, plugged back in refrigerator.
Now my old rerfrigerator is whisper quiet
Parts Used:
Condenser Fan Motor
  • Anthony from South Plainfield, NJ
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    Less than 15 mins
  • Tools:
    Socket set
5 of 6 people found this instruction helpful.
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Not cooling because of ice accumulation. But worked if I manually advanced the timer to defrost; waited for defrost; and advanced timer to end defrost. (Once very 6 to 12 hours.)
Turned off and unplugged refrigerator.
Removed 1 screw (Phillips head) to detach old timer and 2 hex head screws to remove bracket from "beam" in front (bottom) of "fridge"and detach grounding wire. (Slightly difficult to maneuver bracket out of fridge.
Disconnected 4 wires from old timer and attache them to new one. Replaced (new) timer and bracket. Assumed that separate grounding wire was unnecessary because of cross-wiring between trrminals. (Was I incorrect?)
GE didn't have the timer but PartSelect had a suitable substitute.

It would have been quicker if I knew what I was doing in advance
Parts Used:
Defrost Timer
  • Harold from Teaneck, NJ
  • Difficulty Level:
    A Bit Difficult
  • Total Repair Time:
    1- 2 hours
  • Tools:
    Screw drivers, Wrench (Adjustable)
6 of 10 people found this instruction helpful.
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Fan Stops - Bad Bearing
Unplug unit from wall. Removed cover from rear of unit. Cleaned coils with vaccuum cleaner. Unplug wires from fan motor and remove nut holding fan blade to motor. Remove 3 screws holding motor to mount. Replace with new motor,make sure fan blade does not hit housing. Plug unit back in wall and replace cover.
Parts Used:
Condenser Fan Motor
  • JACK R from LEESBURG, FL
  • Difficulty Level:
    Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    15 - 30 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver, Screw drivers, Socket set
4 of 5 people found this instruction helpful.
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Noisy refrigerator.
Remove the 4 screws holding the back cover onto the refrigerator. Unplug the power for the refrigerator. There's 3 bolts holding the fan motor assembly to the refrigerator. Loosen the two bolts which allow the brackets to pivot out , and remove the third bolt. Disconnect the electrical leads, and remove the fan blade, then rotate the fan motor assembly out from the refrigerator. Install mounting brackets from the old motor onto the new motor, then reinstall the assembly in the reverse order of removal.
Parts Used:
Condenser Fan Motor
  • Rodney from Lafayette, LA
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    15 - 30 mins
  • Tools:
    Screw drivers, Socket set
5 of 8 people found this instruction helpful.
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a fan blade broken causing it to make a loud noise
we took off the old one and replaced it.
Parts Used:
Evaporator Fan Blade Kit
  • Marnie from Denver, CO
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    Less than 15 mins
  • Tools:
    Pliers
3 of 5 people found this instruction helpful.
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fan blade wobbly making loud rubbing noise
Looked at existing installation removed it with 6 piece screwdriver and replaced it in the reverse order.
Not complicated at all.
Parts Used:
Condenser Fan Motor FAN BLADE
  • Salvatore from Perrineville, NJ
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    15 - 30 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver, Screw drivers
4 of 8 people found this instruction helpful.
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Ice build up in the evaporator coils and had to thaw it out with hair dryer
Cut old thermostat out and installed with heat shrinking wrap and solder the wires and still having issues it might be something else.
Parts Used:
Defrost Thermostat Kit
  • Joe from Woobridge, NJ
  • Difficulty Level:
    Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    30 - 60 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver, Screw drivers
2 of 2 people found this instruction helpful.
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Original evaporator fan (31 years old) was making a lot of worn bearing noise
Empty freezer;
Remove shelves and ice trays;
Unscrew and remove the rear vertical panel;
Unscrew and remove fan housing;
Unscrew and remove fan from fan housing;
Fan blade slides off the motor shaft without tools.
Reverse order to reassemble with new fan motor.

I did have to use the wire extensions that were included as the replacement motor had the electric connections in a different location from the original motor.

Overall, this was an easy replacement.
Parts Used:
EVAPORATOR FAN MOTOR KIT
  • T from SOUTHBURY, CT
  • Difficulty Level:
    Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    15 - 30 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver, Pliers, Screw drivers
2 of 2 people found this instruction helpful.
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freezer too cold and refrigerator not cold enough because fan not working
Had to defrost a bit and then was able to remove rear freezer panel by simply removing the 2 screws holding it in place.
Old motor easily removed from its mounting bracket. and replaced with the new. Had to use the two wires sent with the motor. I clipped off the male connectors and joined them with wire splicers to the black and red wires clipped from the old motor. Then reinstalled.
The replacement motor works great. I was afraid the old fan blade might not fit but it slid on perfectly.
Parts Used:
EVAPORATOR FAN MOTOR KIT
  • Ann from LAPORTE, PA
  • Difficulty Level:
    Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    30 - 60 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver
2 of 2 people found this instruction helpful.
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water line cracked
I loosened the compression nut on the valve with my fingers and pulled the water line free from the valve. On the other end, I just pulled it from the hose clamp. Installation in reverse. Force the water line into the fitting on top, Slide the old nut over the line on the bottom. Screw the nut onto the valve. Reach inside the freezer and turn on the ice maker. Done. Before replacing the cardboard grill, you should vacuum the coils on the bottom, front and back. If practical, push it outside and blow it out with an air compressor or a leaf blower.
Parts Used:
Water Line - 1/4"
  • RUSSELL from BLACK HAWK, SD
  • Difficulty Level:
    Very Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    Less than 15 mins
2 of 3 people found this instruction helpful.
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family member melted fan with hair dryer
Unplugged fridge.Removed 2 screws holding a panel. After panel removed took off old fan and inserted new. Quite simple.
Parts Used:
Evaporator Fan Blade Kit
  • Lauraine from Rocky Hill, CT
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    Less than 15 mins
  • Tools:
    Screw drivers
1 person found this instruction helpful.
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Fan blade broken
Removed the broken fan blade (just pulled off) and replaced with part purchased PartSelect. Very easy repair, no tools required.
Parts Used:
Evaporator Fan Blade Kit
  • John from Cumberland, MD
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    Less than 15 mins
2 of 5 people found this instruction helpful.
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ice maker pump and water line leaking
I replaced both the punp and water line. the website depicting the repair parts was the best i ever worked with. The parts were high quality delivered on time and easy to install. Total job cost $30 as opposed the cost of of a service man or a new refrig.
Parts Used:
Water Line - 1/4"
  • Edward from Jenks, AL
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    15 - 30 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver, Screw drivers
2 of 5 people found this instruction helpful.
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Noisy fan
Emptied freezes, turned off power, took floor of freezer out [4 screws ], took two screws out of fan mounts and replaces fan. Reassembled by reverse process. Simple
Parts Used:
Evaporator Fan Blade Kit
  • Robert L. from Eldred, PA
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    15 - 30 mins
  • Tools:
    Screw drivers
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Evaporator core freezing up. Freezer too warm. Fresh food compartment too warm. Evaporator core was freezing up.
1.Removed defrost timer and replaced with new one.2. Removed panel on inside bottom of freezer compartment.3.Removed freezer thermostat and replaced with new one.4.Checked ohm resistance reading on heater element.It was ok. 5. Replaced bottom panel.6. Checked temperature in freezer and refrigerator for 2 days. Temperatures were as they should be. Checked drain pan under refrigerator to see if heater element was de-icing the evaporator coils. Tray had small amount of moisture in it. Working properly now.
Parts Used:
Defrost Timer Defrost Thermostat Kit
  • John from Conroe, TX
  • Difficulty Level:
    Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    30 - 60 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver, Screw drivers
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All Instructions for the TBFM21VAB
16 - 30 of 36