WRT5B1EW1 Westinghouse Refrigerator - Instructions

Very easy process. Watch the YouTube video, it goes step by step for the repair. The part was $33, shipping was $6. Take your time and fix it yourself or pay $500 for a new refrigerator.

I just followed the instructions on the videos.

I tested the components in the refrigerator defrost function. I used digital multimeter and checked for continuity. Defrost thermostat must 32 degrees or lower.

I cut wires from bad thermostat and removed it . Stripped wires and crimped connectors on new thermostat and wires from old thermostat. Used heat gun to seal sleeves over connectors. Very helpful video from this site Thanks, you will be my go to parts supplier from now on!!!!!!!!!!!!

removed the back panel of the freezer and unplugged the connector for the Motor. Removed the air diffuser, then removed the fan blade. Removed the 2 screws holding the motor to the bracket. Disconnected the old wire harness and installed the new one. Put the fan blade onto the new motor and installed the motor onto the bracket. Put the air diffuser back on, plugged the motor back in and fastened the back panel. Plugged the refrigerator into the outlet and tested, OK!

Removed panel over the motor in the freezer department. Removed screws holding the motor in, unplug wires. Reversed process to install motor.

Unplugged refrigerator. Emptied freezer and removed ice maker and cover, need to unplug fan. Defrosted coils with hot water. Cut wires to thermostat as close to it ad possible to leave extra wire in case of an error. Stripped wire in new thermostat and put in shrink plastic then the wire crimp connector joining both light blue wires making sure wires were in before crimping them. Repeated with other dark blue wire. After used the heat gun to shrink the protective white tubing. The only thing i found not satisfying was tge tubing. It was too wide and too small. When i shrunk it did not cover the whole connector and was loose. I had to use a glue gun to cover both ends of each wire connector. Hope this helps other users.

The bulb wasn't the issue so I was hopeful the switch was. utube helped me some, but figuring my model was different than any on utube. Got the switch in and plugged it back in. Moment of truth. Didn't light. Ugggh! Out $50 for switch plus $20 for nut driver set.

Installation was fairly straight forward. The major complaint is that the problem returned 2 weeks later. I don’t know if I care to re-invest in another switch.
Now what?

Unplugged fridge. Removed freezer shelves and unscrewed and removed plastic shelf brackets. Removed the lower rear panel. Removed the bin for ice. Removed the 2 exposed upper rear panel screws. At this point I was able to flex the panel quite enough to access the fan motor. Carefully plugged the fridge back in and turned it on long enough to verify the existing evap. fan motor was not running. Powered off and unplugged again. Removed the fan and it's support assembly, and replaced with new. Had to cut the wires and splice and crimp with the provided wire nuts since the plugs in this model were different. Powered on fridge to check fan function. Reassemble and go home looking' like a hero! Saved my BFF a couple hundred bucks.

The evaporator coil is behind the freezer. Remove the rack that makes the shelf and remove two 1/4” hex head screws I the back of the freezer to access the coil.
I used a hair dryer to melt the ice off the coil.
The thermostat clips on the refrigeration pipe to the coil. Remove the old thermostat and cut the wires at least a few inches from the thermostat. Clip the new thermostat on the pipe and strip about a 1/4” of the wire ends. The electrical connectors (provided with the new part) must be crimped to connect the wires.

Followed the installation instruction for both parts now both the freezer and refrigerator are getting cold

replaced it

Traced issue to defrost timer ( burned compressor & element contacts). This unit is mounted next to the temperature adjustment control in the refridgerator area - right in front. Removal of plastic cover provided easy access to the timer. Unit unscrews from the mounting then unplugs. Installation is reverse of removal.

Ordered a new defroster timer and replace old one. It works just fine. A $35 repair vs a $500 new appliance.
Cool.
GWE