Defrost Thermostat

tested defrost timer and heater. And then tested defrost timer with ohm test($6 at hard ware store) Closed and would not open replace and tested freezer take 30mins to get switch cold and retest.

I secured the power to the fridge. I took the metal panel which covers the cooling coils in the freezer off by removing the the 6 sheet metal screws. I used a standard hair dryer to melt the ice block which had formed due to the failure of the defrost timer. I replace the defrost timer, which was located behind the left front wheel of the unit. Finding the timer was the hardest part of the job. Since I was having trouble with the defrost cycle I also decided to replace the defrost thermostat due to its age. The most important item I would like to share is once all the work is done and the panel is back in the freezer, the power is restored take a straight slot screw driver and give the defrost timer about an eighth of a turn clockwise to ensure it starts. Then mark it with a sharpe and check it in 3 or 4 hours to make sure it is running. I did not do this on the one I installed and the freezer did not go into the defrost cycle. Once I got the timer started, well the ice cream stay frozen. BE SURE NOT TO WORK ON YOUR EQUIPMENT WITH IT PLUGGED INTO POWER SOURCE!!!

Jim

I WENT TO THE FREEZER SIDE OF THE UNIT AND PULLED THE GRATES,THEN USED A NUT DRIVER TO REMOVE THE SCREWS AND PLATE FROM THE BACK OF THE UNIT. I LOCATED THE THERMOSTAT AND FOUND IT HAD A QUICK CONNECTOR TO TIE IT INTO THE WIREING I WANTED TO SALVAGE THIS SO I CLIPPED THE LEADS OFF THE OLD THERMOSTAT AND ATTACHED THEM TO THE NEW THERMOSTAT ,THEN IT WAS JUST CLIPP THE NEW THERMO TO THE OLD ONES POSITION. THEN I CHECKED THE DEFROST TIMER POSITION FINALLY FOUND IT (ON LEFT HAND SIDE UNDER FRONT DOOR FRAME ) IT WAS HELD ON BY TWO SCREWS. AND HAD A SNAP ON CONNECTOR. SIMPLE REPAIR. BOUGHT THE UNIT FOR FOURTY DOLLARS AT A GARAGE SALE. IT HAD SOLD AT COSTCO IN 98, FOR $980. WILL SEND THE PARTS I DIDN'T USE , BACK. RUNS AS GOOD AS NEW SWEET UNIT FOR LESS THEN $100

1. Turned off the cooling cycle and unplugged the refrigerator.
2. Removed all of the shelving and bottom basket.
3. Removed rear covering in the freezer section.
4. If frosted over, manually defrost coils with hairdryer.
5. Located original thermostat and after marking the wire locations cut the wires and removed the Thermostat.
6. Connected matching wires using a lighter to melt the wires together. Wrapped repaired wires with electricians tape.
7. Unable to install the thermostat in the recommended location (freezer is a tight fit) the new part was installed at the original location.
8. Replaced the rear cover and shelves.
9. Plugged in the refrigerator and set the cycle back to cooling.
10. Monitored freezer coils couple of days/weeks depending on how fast they freeze over (slots at bottom of cover) to validate if problem solved.

My fridge side had warmed up to 70 degrees but the freezer side was still cold. The coils inside had iced up. After thawing with a hair dryer, it froze back after another week. I removed the old defrost thermostat and wired the heater strip directly and turned on the defrost timer. It began melting the ice so that ruled out the heater strip being bad. I couldn't get a reading with my ohm meter on the defrost thermostat so I took a chance and bought the part. Installation was a breeze and it fixed the problem.

REMOVED SHELF BRACKETS TO ALLOW THE REMOVAL OF THE EVAPORATOR SHEETMETAL COVER.UNPLUGED WIRES TO THERMOSTAT ,REMOVED DEFROST TIMER AND PLUGGED IN NEW TIMER,(FRONT LEFT LOWER KICK PANEL).CUT AND RESOLDERED WIRES TO NEW THERMOSTAT REINSTALLED THERMOSTAT AND COVER IN REVERSE ORDER.

I KNEW WHAT PARTS I NEEDED AND HOW TO REPAIR THE UNIT,HOWEVER YOUR CUSTOMER COMMENTS WERE SPOT ON AND WOULD HELP ANYONE PERFORM A SUCCESSFUL REPAIR (YOU PROVIDE A HELPFUL SERVICE FOR THE PUBLIC)

Website was great!

The defrost timer was right in front. 2 minutes and a screwdriver and I had it replaced.

To replace the thermostat, I had to take out the back panel, defrost it and then install the new part. the only problem was that the heatshrink tubing they sent was too large. Otherwise, it worked great.

Having tried PartSelect.com before, I was very comfortable with the process. Input my symptoms and the feed back I received was that one of the 2 things (Defrost Timer or Defrost Thermostat)might need replacement. Since the cost was not much and over night shipping would cost more than the product, I decided to order both the parts. Changing parts was a breeze. The instructions posted by others on your web site were very easy to follow. You guys save me a bundle every time I have any thing going worng with any of my appliances.

removed all items from frig.. removed shelves, loosened one screw on each slide bracket and moved them down and out of the way of the rear panel....removed 6 screws in rear panel...removed all ice on coils with a heat gun...located defrost stat, replaced...crimped wires...re-installed rear panel and shelves! On left side of frig. in front bottom..located defrost timer..removed trim piece, loosened 2 screws....removed and replaced defrost timer...plugged in the frig. and it started!!!!

Refrigerator started frosting up and running all the time.I'd defrost it and it would frost up again in about a week.The timer seems to be work so I just guest it mite be the Defrost Thermostat.I removed the duck in the center and back panel in the freezer compartment defrosted it and switched Thermostats and replaced panel and duck, going to lower compartment of the refrigerator.So far it seems to be working a little more time while tell.

Dear Part-select,
I had a fridge that was not working food was melting in the freezer, Beer was warm. You get the picture anyway using your site I found the parts needed to to fix the issue in fact I ordered two parts one fixed the issue 50% and the other like 30% of the time! both parts with overnight shipping were cheaper than 1 part if purchased at our local appliance part outlet:) not to mention the cost of a repair person. Thanks again! . Keep up the good work


Tom Houck
Spokane, WA
Houck Photo
509-723-3418
tomhouck1@comcast.net

Replaced defrost timer & thermostat.