If you own a vintage or old GE refrigerator and it suddenly breaks down, disposing it is not an option especially when it is already a part of your home and has a sentimental value on you. What you can do is to restore it, instead. Finding vintage GE refrigerator parts is very difficult because most of the old model components are already obsolete and GE probably stopped manufacturing them. The only way you can have these parts is to buy a secondhand one. If you are lucky, you can still find them in few repair shops who keep old stocks that they use in repairing like control boards, compressor, evaporator, fan, thermostat or temperature controls, water valve, defrost timer, door gasket and capacitors. Also, some people who own old General Electric refrigerators sold them part by part like ice maker grille, ice tray shelf, crisper cover, meat pan, dairy door, lamp cover, glass shelf and door handle through online shops like Amazon and eBay.
Just make sure to clean them thoroughly before using, you never know where these components really came from and how their previous owners used them. On the other hand, finding replacement GE refrigerator parts for new models is not a problem, many Service Centers around the world still sell them and offer other services such as trouble shooting and repair services. All you need to do is get the part number of the part you wish to replace and order it to the nearest local service centers or visit their website and order the parts online. The part number usually looks like this: PART # WR17X2031, PART # WR32X0928, etc. You can even have them install it for you, but you have to pay additional charge though, and service pricing depends on your location. If you know the part number, you can check if they are available by typing the part number at www.geapplianceparts.com
When buying replacement parts, it is recommended that you buy only genuine components from authorized GE Appliance Parts suppliers to ensure safety and proper working condition of your appliances. Also, have them replaced only by a qualified service technician or consult your refrigerator manual to avoid losing the warranty and to ensure proper installation.
Compressor is the heart of a refrigeration system. Replacing it requires special tools and knowledge on refrigeration and air-conditioning system and should only be done by a qualified technician. Usually, the compressor can be replaced by any compressor not necessarily the same model of the old one. Meaning you can buy and replace it with a brand new compressor with the same rating as the old one as long as you can mount it using the old mounting brackets. It is not advisable to replace it with a surplus or used part because this part usually wears out and replacing it with a secondhand one will probably won’t last long, not to mention the poor performance due to lost compression. Same goes with the filters and valves, these parts should also be replaced if you put a brand new compressor. If you have a problem with your side by side refrigerator freezer or ice maker and you need a local GE appliance repair technician , try to visit www.localgeappliancerepair.com for a list of GE Service Centers near you.
For people who are looking for comprehensive compressor parts, try to visit www.thomasnet.com for complete directory listings of OEM and manufacturers all around US including Houston, Dallas, Ridgewood, Atlanta, Nashville, Carlstadt, Berkeley, Lake Forest, Syracuse, New Berlin, Greenville and more. You will find here compressor parts such as pistons, rods, rings, bearings, bushings, reed valves, gaskets, pins, rods, seals, terminals and crankshaft.
