Frigidaire Refrigerator SY EF Error

The Frigidaire Refrigerator SY EF Error sometimes mistaken as 5Y EF is an evaporator fan fault code. The SY EF error means the main control board is not getting a feedback signal from the evaporator fan motor. This lack of a feedback signal is a result of several problems the first being a failed evaporator fan motor in the freezer. The second is ice build up on the evaporator causing an airflow issue and the third is a faulty evaporator fan motor circuit on the main control board.

The very first thing you should do is try to reset the control board and clear the error by unplugging the refrigerator for at least 5 minutes then plug it back in. This will reset the board and clear the code but if it shows back up you will need to follow the troubleshooting steps below.

SY EF Error Troubleshooting

The first thing you want to do is open the freezer door and while holding down the door switch listen and make sure the evaporator fan motor is running. If the evaporator fan motor is running you should hear air flow inside the freezer compartment. If you do not hear airflow in the freezer that means the fan is probably not running. Next you will need to find if it’s not running because it’s being blocked by ice build up on the evaporator or if the evaporator fan is just bad and not running.

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You will need to pull everything out of your freezer and remove the screws that mount the lower back panel inside the freezer. Once you have removed the screws pull the panel out and you will have access to the evaporator area. The evaporator is the silver aluminum coil you see that sort of resembles a car radiator. The fan motor is mounted above the evaporator.

Once you have the panel out look for ice build up on the evaporator. If you see a lot of ice that is blocking the fan motor from turning that is the problem and why the refrigerator control is reporting the SY EF Error code. If there is ice build up on the evaporator use a hair dryer and defrost the evaporator until it’s completely free of ice.

Once it’s defrosted the evaporator fan should return to normal operation and stop the code from returning. If the evaporator continues to build up with ice over time and causes the problem again that means your refrigerator has a defrost problem and the defrost system needs diagnosed to figure out why it’s not defrosting as it should.

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The defrost system consists of several different components that work with one another to defrost the evaporator. The main control, the defrost heater, defrost bi-metal thermostat and the thermistor. Troubleshooting the defrost system will not be covered in this article.

If the evaporator is free of ice build up and the fan is not running you can safely assume the evaporator fan motor is bad and needs replaced. If the fan motor is running and there is no ice build up blocking the fan from turning and you are still getting the code that means the control is detecting fluctuations in the amp draw by the fan motor which means the fan needs replacing.

If the error continues after replacing the evaporator fan motor the fan circuit on the main control is bad and the main control will have to be replaced. On most models that give the SY EF Error code the main control board is mounted under the front of the cabinet at the bottom right of the refrigerator.

The parts you may need to make this repair are the evaporator fan motor and the main control board both of which are linked below. Make sure when ordering the main control board that your model number for your refrigerator is listed in the model list. If it’s not then you need to give your model number to the parts specialists in the chat at Prism Parts so you get the correct board for your model refrigerator.

This Frigidaire Refrigerator SY EF Error Guide also covers other brands such as Electrolux and Kenmore brand refrigerators.

For other error code troubleshooting guides see our error codes section.