Café Evaporator Fan Blade Obstruction or Motor Failure

Wine cooler makes a loud grinding or scraping noise from inside the cabinet when running.

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Safety Warning

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

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Possible Causes

Ice buildup around fan, fan blade contacting housing, loose wiring harness hitting blade, worn fan motor bearings

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Unplug the unit before removing interior panels or touching the fan blade.

  • Step 1 – Access fan area: Remove shelves and the interior rear panel to expose the evaporator fan.
  • Step 2 – Inspect for ice: Look for ice buildup around the fan and evaporator. If present, defrost the unit by unplugging and leaving the door open until ice melts. Do not chip ice with sharp tools.
  • Step 3 – Clear obstructions: Ensure no wires, insulation, or plastic parts are contacting the fan blade. Secure any loose items away from the blade.
  • Step 4 – Test fan bearings: Spin the blade by hand. If it feels rough, wobbly, or noisy, replace the evaporator fan motor with a Café-compatible part.

After reassembly, restore power and confirm quiet operation.

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Repair Difficulty

Medium 3/5

Required Part

Evaporator Fan Motor
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