Order replacement pieces using the official LG service manual codes. Models LFXS26973S, LMXS30786S, and LFX28968ST share interchangeable shelves, evaporators, and compressor assemblies but differ in door seals and ice maker modules. Locate the serial number sticker inside the left interior wall–first three digits indicate the manufacture year, critical for sourcing exact matches.
Evaporator coil (Part #EAE42763701) sits behind the rear panel in the freezer compartment. Disconnect power, empty contents, and remove the lower back cover by unscrewing Phillips screws (size #2). Heat from a hairdryer softens the adhesive holding the foam insulation–use a plastic pry tool to avoid puncturing the refrigerant tubing. Replace with the identical LG-manufactured coil; third-party alternatives risk improper thermal expansion gaps.
Door hinges (Part #MHT10920701 for upper, #MHT10920601 for lower) require a 10mm socket wrench. Loosen the top hinge first, lift the assembly off the lower mounting bracket, then detach the wiring harness for the interior LED cluster. Tighten screws to 12 ft-lbs torque–over-tightening cracks the door frame’s aluminum reinforcement strip.
Water filters (ADQ73613401 for standard, ADQ74793401 for advanced) must be replaced every six months. Turn counterclockwise 90 degrees to unlock, then pull straight down. Flush 3 gallons through the dispenser to clear carbon fines before installing the new unit. Avoid generic filters–their bypass valves fail at pressures above 120 PSI, triggering error code ER FF.
Compressor relay (EBR61485501) clips onto the compressor’s side terminal. Symptoms include buzzing without startup or tripped circuit breaker. Disconnect refrigerant lines using a Schrader valve core remover–cap lines immediately to prevent moisture ingress. Install the relay with arrow pointing upward; reversed polarity overheats the start winding within seconds.
Defrost heater (4681JA1007Q) wraps around the evaporator. Test resistance (300–400 ohms) before replacement–continuity below 250 ohms indicates thermal fuse failure. Secure the heater with the original mounting clips; misalignment causes frost buildup on the rear wall, triggering defrost cycle alarms.
Understanding Your LG Side-by-Swing Cooling Unit Component Layout
Locate the evaporator cover by removing the back panel inside the freezer compartment–accessible via four screws (typically 1/4″ hex). Behind it, you’ll find the evaporator coil and defrost heater, critical for frost management. If frost buildup exceeds 3mm, check the bi-metallic defrost thermostat (positioned adjacent to the coil) for continuity using a multimeter; resistance should read 0 ohms at -18°C (0°F) and infinite at 4°C (40°F).
Key Assembly Breakdown with Replacement Notes
| Component | Location | LG Part Number | Compatibility | Failure Indicators |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compressor start relay | Back, lower exterior | EBR73816901 | Models LFXS26973S, LFX31995ST | Clicking noise, delayed cooling |
| Water valve assembly | Behind lower kick plate | 5231JA2002A | All units with dispenser | No water flow, leak at base |
| Main control board | Upper rear interior | EBR68997601 | 2018-2023 production | Display errors EC, FE |
| Door gasket seal | Perimeter of swing-out sections | MFL69024101 | Universal across widths | Condensation on exterior |
For the condenser fan motor (part #EBM65120601), disconnect the appliance first. Rotate the blades manually–stiff rotation indicates bearing failure. Replace if current draw exceeds 0.35A (measured at J4 on the main board). Reinstall with the rubber grommets oriented downward to prevent vibration noise.
When servicing the ice maker module, note that LG’s 2022 redesign (part #AEB73878001) splits the traditional mold into two halves for easier replacement. Align the fill tube with the optical sensor (positioned 12mm above the tray) before securing the three mounting screws. Calibrate using the “test mode” (hold “Fridge” and “Freezer” buttons for 8 seconds) to verify harvest cycle time–optimal duration is 90±15 seconds.
Finding Key Components in LG Side-by-Side Cooling Units
Begin by removing the lower kick plate–located at the base of the appliance–to access the water filter housing. Models LFXS26973, LFXS30766, and LMXS31766 position the filter behind this panel, secured with a twist-lock mechanism. For units without an external filter, check the internal ceiling compartment (common in LMXC23746), where it’s concealed beneath a snap-off cover.
Trace the water supply line from the rear left corner toward the dispenser assembly to locate the inlet valve. This brass or plastic component, often labeled WR57X10051 or AD95-00002A, sits near the cabinet’s back panel, attached to a mounting bracket. Disconnect power before testing continuity with a multimeter–faulty valves typically read infinite resistance.
The evaporator coils hide behind the back wall in the freezer section. Remove the rear panel by unscrewing Phillips-head fasteners (typically 3–4 screws). On dual-zone models like the LSXS26368, inspect the frosted aluminum fins for blockages–excess ice here indicates failed defrost components (defrost heater AH3367260, thermostat 6838A70002B). Clean coils with a stiff nylon brush, never metal tools.
Electrical Control Board and Sensors
Access the main control board by opening the upper produce drawer and detaching the interior light diffuser. The board (EBR78178901 for most Series 3 models) mounts vertically on the right side, secured by clips. Check for charred traces or swollen capacitors–common failure points in models older than 5 years. Temperature sensors (DA32-00007A) connect via white wiring harnesses; probe with a multimeter (expect ~11 kΩ at room temp).
For condenser fan issues, tilt the unit back 45 degrees (unplug first) and support it with a wooden block. The fan module (EBM-PAPST 465N or EAU19860701) sits adjacent to the compressor, often obscured by a foam gasket. Test motor windings for continuity; a humming sound without blade movement signals seized bearings. Lubricate with silicone spray if accessible, or replace the entire assembly.
Door seals (MGD45000102) degrade fastest at the lower corners. Prop the hinge-side door open and inspect the gasket’s magnetic strip–weak seals cause excessive frost. Clean with mild soap; stubborn grime responds to isopropyl alcohol. Replace if cracks exceed 2 mm, as compromised seals overload the compressor (P004G32006M or KHVX00018M).
Step-by-Step Guide to Accessing the Evaporator Fan Motor
Unplug the appliance immediately before starting any disassembly. Locate the rear panel inside the freezer compartment–it’s secured by five screws, typically Philips-head or Torx T20. Keep screws organized by size and placement to avoid mixing them up during reassembly.
Remove the ice maker assembly first if present. Disconnect its wiring harness by pressing the release tab, and set it aside. Some models require detaching the water line; use pliers to loosen the compression fitting gently to prevent cracking the plastic tubing.
Pull the rear panel straight out after removing all screws. The evaporator fan motor is positioned behind a frosted cover–slide this cover aside or lift it depending on the model. Expect frost buildup; allow it to thaw naturally or use a towel to absorb moisture.
Identify the fan motor by its cylindrical housing and attached blade. It’s held in place by three mounting screws or clips. Disconnect the single wire connector by pulling it straight off–do not twist. Note the orientation of the blade for correct reinstallation.
Inspect the motor’s mounting surface for corrosion or debris. Clean the area with isopropyl alcohol if needed, ensuring no moisture remains before installing a replacement. Check the blade for cracks–even minor damage can cause operational noise or imbalance.
Test the new motor before full reassembly. Reconnect the wire harness, plug the unit in briefly, and listen for smooth rotation. If the motor hums but doesn’t spin, the blade might be obstructed–power off immediately to avoid overheating.
Reattach the frosted cover, aligning any tabs or grooves as originally positioned. Secure the rear panel with screws, ensuring even pressure to prevent warping. Reinstall the ice maker by reversing the removal steps, verifying all connections snap into place securely.
Power the unit back on and monitor for consistent airflow. If temperatures fluctuate after 24 hours, recheck the fan motor’s seating or blade clearance. Misalignment as small as 1mm can disrupt cooling efficiency.
How to Locate Exact Component Matches Using Your Appliance’s Serial Code
Enter the serial number found on the inner sidewall or rear panel into LG’s official spare component lookup tool. Remove the kick plate or detach the lower drawer to reveal a sticker with a 12-digit alphanumeric code–this identifies the exact hardware configuration. Cross-reference this with the exploded view illustrations for your model series to confirm compatibility before purchasing.
- Decode the first 4 characters: indicate factory production run and platform variant.
- Characters 5–8: specify cooling system sub-assemblies and shelving layouts.
- Remaining digits: denote revisions for electronics and insulation materials.
Third-party suppliers like PartSelect or Sears PartsDirect offer serial-based search filters; input the full code to eliminate mismatches for sensors, evaporator coils, or compressors. Save the confirmation PDF–this documents OEM approval for warranty coverage.
For non-electronic assemblies (hinges, crispers, water valves), measure key dimensions first. Compare thread pitch, tubing diameter, and mounting hole spacing against the specifications tied to your serial number. If discrepancies arise, contact LG support with both the code and photos of the failed unit–technicians can override database restrictions to approve substitute items marked “cross-reference only.”