The Sub Zero 680 is a 42-inch built-in side-by-side refrigerator with the brand’s signature dual refrigeration system, providing separate compressors, condensers, and evaporators for the refrigerator and freezer compartments. Its 84-inch height, integrated ice and water dispenser, and approximately 15.2 cubic feet of refrigerator capacity make it one of Sub Zero’s larger residential models. Repair Clinic stocks genuine Sub Zero OEM parts for the 680 including evaporator fan motors for each compartment, start relays for each compressor, door gaskets for both doors, ice maker assembly, water inlet valve, and the shared condenser fan motor. Browse the Sub Zero refrigerator parts catalog filtered by model 680 for the complete parts inventory.
Sub Zero 680 Dual Refrigeration: Two Circuits, Targeted Diagnostics
The Sub Zero 680’s dual refrigeration system means that a cooling fault in one compartment does not necessarily affect the other. This is both a service advantage and a diagnostic responsibility: when one section warms, the fault is localized to that section’s compressor, start relay, evaporator fan, or defrost system. Both sections share a single condenser fan motor, so a failed condenser fan causes both compressors to overheat simultaneously, producing a both-compartments-warm symptom. The refrigerator repair help section includes dual-refrigeration circuit isolation guides for Sub Zero 600-series models.
Most Replaced Parts on the Sub Zero 680
Compressor Start Relay
Each of the two compressors in the Sub Zero 680 uses a start relay to provide the supplemental current needed to start the compressor motor from rest. The shake-and-rattle test — removing the relay and shaking it — quickly identifies a failed relay if it produces an audible rattle from the broken internal component. A failed relay allows only the affected section to warm while the other continues to operate, which is diagnostic of the relay rather than the compressor itself.
Evaporator Fan Motor
The Sub Zero 680 has independent evaporator fans for the refrigerator and freezer sections. A failed evaporator fan motor in the refrigerator section causes that compartment to warm even though its compressor continues running — cold is being produced at the evaporator but not circulated. Fan motor replacement is one of the most tractable DIY repairs on the Sub Zero 680, restoring refrigerator section airflow immediately.
Sub Zero 680 Door Gasket
The magnetic door gaskets on the Sub Zero 680 refrigerator and freezer doors maintain the airtight seal that the dual refrigeration system requires for precise temperature control. A gasket that has stiffened, torn, or lost its magnetic attraction allows warm kitchen air to infiltrate, causing frost on the evaporator and temperature instability in the affected compartment. The dollar-bill closure test identifies a gasket that no longer seals properly.
Sub Zero 680 Ice Maker Assembly
The Sub Zero 680 ice maker is located in the freezer section and relies on the freezer evaporator for its harvest cycle. Ice maker failures include failed harvest heaters, failed module electronics, and water inlet valve faults. The ice maker and water dispenser share the same water supply line, so a complete loss of both ice and dispenser water points to a water inlet valve fault.
Condenser Fan Motor for Sub Zero 680
The condenser fan motor in the Sub Zero 680 dissipates heat from both refrigeration circuits simultaneously. A failed condenser fan causes both compressors to overheat on thermal protection within hours of the failure, producing a both-compartments-warm symptom that resolves with a single fan motor replacement.
Sub Zero 680 Refrigerator Parts at Repair Clinic
- Genuine Sub Zero OEM parts for the 680 dual-compressor 42-inch side-by-side, including circuit-specific evaporator fans and compressor start relays — Sub Zero refrigerator parts catalog
- Dual refrigeration diagnostic guides help isolate faults to the refrigerator or freezer circuit before ordering any part
- Ice maker, fan motor, and door gasket parts in stock; refrigerator repair help covers Sub Zero 600-series service
- 365-day returns on uninstalled parts with no restocking fees
Sub Zero 680 Refrigerator Parts FAQ
What is the capacity of the Sub Zero 680?
The Sub Zero 680 is a 42-inch side-by-side built-in refrigerator with approximately 15.2 cubic feet of refrigerator capacity and 9.5 cubic feet of freezer capacity, plus an integrated ice and water dispenser. Its 84-inch height makes it a full-height installation.
Does the Sub Zero 680 have dual compressors?
Yes. The Sub Zero 680 uses two separate compressors, one for the refrigerator section and one for the freezer section. This dual refrigeration system means a fault in one compressor warms only the affected compartment while the other continues to operate normally.
Why is my Sub Zero 680 fresh food section warming while the freezer stays cold?
Single-compartment warming on the Sub Zero 680 means the cooling circuit for the warm section has a fault. The most common cause is a failed evaporator fan motor for that section or a failed start relay for that compressor. The shared condenser fan motor can also cause both sections to warm simultaneously.
How do I clean the condenser on a Sub Zero 680?
The Sub Zero 680 condenser is accessed from the top grille. Remove the top grille panel to expose the condenser coil and fan. Use a soft brush and vacuum to remove dust and debris from the condenser fins. Sub Zero recommends cleaning every 6 to 12 months depending on household dust levels.
