Hotpoint refrigerator HTS20GBNCWW overheating. Fan?

[no user name]

I have a Hotpoint HTS20GBNCWW, it's a freezer on top unit. I noticed last night that the top of the refrigerator door was hot and was still hot about an hour ago, which lead me to discover that the outward facing panel between the upper and lower doors was very hot as well as the cabinet around the freezer. I took the back panel off in the rear, which was also very hot (the compressor was so hot it couldn't be touched) and realized the fan wasn't turning. When I attempted to turn the fan by hand, with the fridge still PLUGGED IN, the fan would only turn for as long as I was spinning it and it made a humming sound as if power was indeed going to the motor. When I UNPLUGGED the refrigerator, however, the fan turned and continued to do so until it gradually stopped on its own when I spun the blade by hand.

I removed the motor which is still hot some 1 hour later and am wondering if this sounds like just the motor or something else?


Additional info: The motor has a year stamped on it of 2004 which leads me to believe it's the original.  The motor part number is 4680JB1029A

Please help. Thanks.

[tgoods]

Bad fan motor.  Replace it.

[schaffersapplian]

You can use a box fan for time being to help keep things cool back there.  Leave the back cover off, and direct a fan of any sort onto the compressor, and condenser coils.  

You have the possibility of damaging the compressor if you continue to run the machine without air circulation.

Get that fan here and help us keep this site running smoothly.

Click here to order fan motor!

[no user name]

Thanks, thought I'd better check. Will definitely order the part. In the meantime, I lost my temper because my garage door opener stopped working right after the refrigerator issue so I punched the garage fridge and I think I busted my hand. Any chance they sell replacement knuckles too?

Thanks again for your help, folks.