Part Location Diagram of R0161088 Whirlpool Bimetal Defrost Thermostat
See part 21 in the diagram
Replacing your Amana Refrigerator Bimetal Defrost Thermostat
( Grid squares measure 1x1 inch )
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Bimetal Defrost Thermostat R0161088

★★★★★
★★★★★
6 Reviews

Rated by 24 customers 

Easy 

30 - 60 mins 

Ratings submitted by customers like you who bought this part.

$ 61.88
  In Stock
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PartSelect Number PS2167866
Manufacturer Part Number R0161088
Manufactured by Whirlpool
Product Description

Bimetal Defrost Thermostat Specifications

This part will cut out at 48 degrees Fahrenheit and kick back in when the temperature drops to 33 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Part Videos

Replacing your Amana Refrigerator Bimetal Defrost Thermostat

Replacing your Amana Refrigerator Bimetal Defrost Thermostat
Troubleshooting
This part fixes the following symptoms:
Freezer section too warm | Fridge too warm | Fridge and Freezer are too warm | Freezer not defrosting
This part works with the following products:
Refrigerator.
This part works with the following products:
Amana, Kenmore, Litton.
Part# R0161088 replaces these:
AP4247470, 992, R0161088, 10544005, 12017806, 12017816, 12017823, 67003693, R0161088, R0161088VP
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Customer Reviews
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6 Reviews
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Customer Repair Stories
 Average Repair Rating: 3.7 / 5.0, 24 reviews. What's this?
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Sorry, we couldn't find any existing installation instruction that matched.
two wires needed to b cut and butt spliced to wires of the new part.
Removed the old part and connected the wires to the new part. Two of the wires on the frig needed to be cut and connected to the new part using butt splices, which I had. Unit is over 20 years old and still working fine. Easy fix.
  • Gary from Kennewick, WA
  • Difficulty Level:
    Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    30 - 60 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver, Pliers
1 person found this instruction helpful.
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Fridge quit cooling
The repair was simple. Just like the video
  • Todd from League City, TX
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    15 - 30 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver, Pliers
5 of 7 people found this instruction helpful.
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Freezer section too Warm
Read on Internet that a warm freezer was caused by frost build up on the coils. Took of coil cover in freezer section and verified this. There were two possible sources, a bad Bimetal Defrost thermostat or a defrost timer. I did notice that the defrost thermostat top was bulging and suspected it was the problem. However, since my food was rotting, I did not have time to order the defrost timer if the thermostat was not the issue... so I purchased both parts. The only issue I had with installing is that the defrost thermostat wires ended up going through a tight sealed opening in that back wall with cooling lines. At the end of the new defrost thermostat there was a connector that would not fit through the opening. After taking off the back cover panels, I discovered that the wires were just hanging out the back unconnected with a label of "Factory Test". So, I just cut them and pulled the wire out. Then I did not bother to run the new defrost thermostat wires through and just tied them up with supplied zip tie. Problem was fixed... never needed to install the defrost timer kit.
Other Parts Used:
Bimetal Defrost Thermostat Defrost Timer Kit - 120V 60Hz
  • Jonathan from Bellingham, WA
  • Difficulty Level:
    Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    15 - 30 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver, Screw drivers
2 of 4 people found this instruction helpful.
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freezer warm and leaking at door
Did diagnostic troubleshoot on web. Checked to make sure heater was defrosting ( it was ) .Checked evaporator fan was working ( it was ) . Determined the Thermostat was defective , removed stat and checked resistance it was shot. ordered new one reattached wiring with butt splices ( two wires ) .refrigerator works better than before had to turn it down . easy fix cost $42( incl. shipping ) compared to $?? for repair guy or new fridge .Wifes happy so Im happy life is cool again !!
  • Paul from Milwaukee, WI
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    Less than 15 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver
1 of 3 people found this instruction helpful.
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Refrigerator would work for 2 weeks then start freezing up
First let me say the appliance guy said I needed to replace the whole freezer coils within the freezer part but the unit after using a hair dryer would work fine for two weeks then freeze up again. His conclusion of leaking refrigerant did not make sense, nor the noting of uneven freezing, so I figured I would take a chance on logic. The worst part was unloading the refrig and throwing away a boat load of food. Anyway once I removed the back panel that reveals where the defrost thermostat is I simply followed the wires by disconnecting the old and attaching the new until I got to the last two - brown and orange which actually go behind the defrost heater element and disappear below the fan. I cut both & used the adapter peice did a crimp - done. The timer took 5 minutes. Its working fine and cooling fabulously! I wanted to get past the two week point it is now in its 4th and doing fine. By he way the cams, thanks to your video took 10 minutes. Very satisfied and will recommend DIY because everyone else seems to want to retire on my dime!
Other Parts Used:
Door Closure Cam Kit Bimetal Defrost Thermostat Defrost Timer Kit - 120V 60Hz
  • Suzanne from New Brunswick, NJ
  • Difficulty Level:
    Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    1- 2 hours
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver
1 of 3 people found this instruction helpful.
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Evaporator coils were freezing up and the water dispenser would not work
I was not sure what the fix was on my refrig, so I ordered the defrost timer kit, bimetal defrost thermostat, and the evaporator heater(about 100.00 in parts)
I think my entire problem was the bimetal defrost thermostat, as it was somewhat bulged out on the plastic side.
The evaporator coils would freeze over--the evap. fan would not work and the cold water dispenser would not work. I did't have time to just replace one part at a time so I ordered all three parts that have to do with the defrosting of the evap. coils.
The parts worked and the refrig. is operating fine. Thanks to parts select for a super fast delivery(one day).
Other Parts Used:
Bimetal Defrost Thermostat Defrost Timer Kit - 120V 60Hz Defrost Heater
  • Sammy from Clarksville, TX
  • Difficulty Level:
    Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    15 - 30 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver
22 of 25 people found this instruction helpful.
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Refridgerator warm, Freezer warm at top
Remove sheet metal cover inside freezer lower half at back to expose the coils.
Cut the zip-tie holding the thermostat wires.
Un-clip bi-metal thermostat from metal coolant line. Disconnect the thermostat electrical connections (use pliers if difficult).
Connect the new thermostat wires.
Clip the new thermostat to the coolant line.
zip-tie the wires again.
replace the sheet metal cover.

It takes about 10 minutes for the thermostat to turn on the freezer fan after power-on if the freezer is room temperature.
  • Michael from Emmaus, PA
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    15 - 30 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver, Pliers
1 of 4 people found this instruction helpful.
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The freezer and refrigerator stopped cooling
I unplugged the unit, removed the freezer racks and removed the back panel to expose the evaporator. I removed the defrost thermostat, unplugged the wires, and installed the new thermostat. I replaced the panel and racks then removed the defrost timer kit by removing the two screws that fastened the cover to the refrigerator and the two screws that secured the timer to the cover. The timer is centered behind the front toe grille assembly. I installed the new timer, replaced the cover, and plugged the refrigerator in. It took several minutes for the defrost timer to advance before the evaporator fan would come on.
Other Parts Used:
Bimetal Defrost Thermostat Defrost Timer Kit - 120V 60Hz
  • Kenneth from Bahama, NC
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    15 - 30 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver
12 of 12 people found this instruction helpful.
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fridge tripped every couple hours
suspected the defrost heater, as fridge always tripped when defrost timer (orange knob behind bottom front grill) was at 3 o clock. Undid the freezer back plate, disconnected heater, rotated knob to 3 o'clock, no trip. ordered new heater and thermostat. can pull cooling coil outward(be gentle) Need needle nose plier to remove clips holding heater in place.
replaced heater, also thermostat for good measure.
Voila!!!
Other Parts Used:
Bimetal Defrost Thermostat Defrost Heater
  • paul from santa rosa, CA
  • Difficulty Level:
    A Bit Difficult
  • Total Repair Time:
    30 - 60 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver
2 of 4 people found this instruction helpful.
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top freezer thawing water despencer not working
replaced the bimetal defrost thermostat & defrost timer and that seem to cure the problem found repair easy and parts were here n lest than two days very satisfied with prompt sening of parts an explanation how to repair. Thank-you!!!!
Other Parts Used:
Bimetal Defrost Thermostat Defrost Timer Kit - 120V 60Hz
  • Lloyd from Racine, WI
  • Difficulty Level:
    Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    15 - 30 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver, Pliers
6 of 7 people found this instruction helpful.
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Questions and Answers

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Mike
October 4, 2017
Fridge and freeze are both warm. Evap fan does not come on. I plugged fan into outlet and runs fine. What would cause an interruption in current for this fan. I'm thinking bi-metal thermostat on evap coil. Any help would be great.
For model number SQD26VW
PartSelect logo
Hi Mike, Thank you for your inquiry. There are some parts that you will need to check to see which one is causing the issue. You will need to check the compressor start device and capacitor, the condenser fan motor, the bi-metal defrost thermostat and the defrost timer. I hope this helps. Thank you and have a great day!

4 people found this helpful.

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Jacob
November 16, 2017
Replaced thermostat, ice was forming in freezer, i replaced heater line and fans not coming on what do i do
For model number W1TXEMFWQ00
PartSelect logo
Hi Jacob, Thank you for your question. I would suggest you check your run capacitor and your start relay to see if those parts are working correctly. If they are working, then it may be your control board that is the issue. I hope that helps. Good luck with your repair.

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Ed
March 27, 2018
Does this frig have an overload button
For model number SXD23VL
PartSelect logo
Hi Ed, Thank you for the question. There is no overload button but there is a overload relay on the compressor, PartSelect Number: PS11738220. Hope this helps!

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Model Cross Reference
This part works with the following models:
PartSelect Number: PS2167866
Manufacturer Part Number: R0161088
Brand
Model Number
Description
Amana
1999A
Refrigerator
Amana
1999A-P1193906WL
Refrigerator - SIDE BY SIDE REFRIGERATOR
Amana
1999W
Refrigerator
Amana
1999W-P1193906WW
Refrigerator - SIDE BY SIDE REFRIGERATOR
Amana
2599A
Refrigerator
Amana
2599A-P1190419WL
Refrigerator - SIDE BY SIDE REFRIGERATOR
Amana
2599W
Refrigerator
Amana
2599W-P1190419WW
Refrigerator - SIDE BY SIDE REFRIGERATOR
Amana
2699A
Refrigerator
Amana
2699W
Refrigerator
Litton
58632
Refrigerator
Amana
58632-P1317501WW
Refrigerator - SIDE-BY-SIDE REFRIGERATOR
Litton
58635
Refrigerator
Amana
58635-P1317501WE
Refrigerator - SIDE-BY-SIDE REFRIGERATOR
Litton
58637
Refrigerator
Amana
58637-P1317501WL
Refrigerator - SIDE-BY-SIDE REFRIGERATOR
Kenmore
59650392000
Refrigerator
Kenmore
59650392001
Refrigerator
Kenmore
59650392990
Refrigerator
Kenmore
59650394000
Refrigerator
Kenmore
59650394001
Refrigerator
Kenmore
59650394990
Refrigerator
Kenmore
59650399000
Refrigerator
Kenmore
59650399001
Refrigerator
Kenmore
59650399990
Refrigerator
Kenmore
59650692000
Refrigerator
Kenmore
59650692001
Refrigerator
Kenmore
59650694000
Refrigerator
Kenmore
59650694001
Refrigerator
Kenmore
59650699000
Refrigerator
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