This limiter thermostat cuts out when the temperature inside your refrigerator reaches 55 degrees Fahrenheit and kicks back in when the internal temperature drops to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. If you discover temperature issues with your refrigerator or freezer, the defrost thermostat may need to be replaced. You will need tools for this repair, including a 1/4-inch nut driver, a pair of wire strippers, and a heat gun. Be sure to disconnect power to the refrigerator before completing this repair. The defrost thermostat is located behind the back panel of your side-by-side refrigerator/freezer. You will first need to remove the panel and take the defrost thermostat out to complete the repair.
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Troubleshooting
This part fixes the following symptoms:
Fridge too warm | Freezer not defrosting | Freezer section too warm | Fridge runs too long
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Thomas
February 23, 2018
Can the defrost thermostat be checked with an ohm meter. I have no continuity at ambient temp. Do i have to cool it down or heat it up to check the continuity?
For model number FRS26ZRFW3
Hi Thomas, Thank you for the question, The best way to do this is to remove the thermostat from the refrigerator so you can control the temperature of the sensor. You can let the sensor warm up to room temperature. With the sensor warmed up to room temperature the sensor should read approximately 6.2K Ohms at 68°F. With the thermistor submerged is a glass full of ice water, the sensor should be very close to 32°F which should read approximately 16.3K Ohms. If the values that you are getting are far off from these readings, then the sensor is bad and should be replaced. Hope this helps!
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Deb
April 15, 2018
Hello! My problem is our freezer keeps defrosting. The temp. In the freezer ranges from 21 to 40 degrees. It took 3 days for it to make ice cubes. What is your opinion on fixing it. It's 10 years old. Thank you in advance
For model number FRT18HS6JB4
Hi Deb,
Thank you for your question. There are a couple of parts that you could check to see if they are working correctly. You should take look at your defrost timer, your defrost thermostat, and your run capacitor. You can test all of those parts with a multi meter to make sure that they are working. If they are, you might have to check your cold control thermostat for your freezer. It could be that part that is causing the wrong temperatures in your appliance. I hope that helps. Good luck with your repair.
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Daniel
August 31, 2022
Mon frigidaire givré tellement que les produit dans la partie bas du frigidaire vienne à gelé dois-je changer le timer et le thermostat du congélateur
For model number FRT22RGCW1
Hello Daniel, Thank you for the question. We suggest testing the Defrost Thermostat. The best way to do this is to remove the thermostat from the refrigerator so you can control the temperature of the sensor. You can let the sensor warm up to room temperature. With the sensor warmed up to room temperature the sensor should read approximately 6.2K Ohms at 68°F. With the thermistor submerged is a glass full of ice water, the sensor should be very close to 32°F which should read approximately 16.3K Ohms. If the values that you are getting are far off from these readings, then the sensor is bad and should be replaced. We hope this helps!
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Part Videos
Replacing your Frigidaire Refrigerator Defrost Thermostat
Customer Repair Stories
Average Repair Rating: 3.7 / 5.0, 30 reviews.
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Refrigerator. Running all the time freezer cold but refrigerator part not cold.
I took everything out of the freezer. Removed All the shelves, took the front off of the evaporator coil compartment. Then I defrosted the evaporator coils with a blow dryer because they were basically a solid block of ice. Then removed the heater coil, installed a new one. Installed a new defrost thermostat. Put the evaporator coil panel back on. Then I turned the thermostat back up to where the fan came on and I noticed it took a few times for the compressor to continue to run. I don’t know what that was all about but eventually the compressor kicked in and everything worked like it should.
Followed the instructions provided in your video, took less than 15 minutes and works like new. Thank you for the parts and the advice.
Jeff from GLENDORA, CA
Difficulty Level:
Really Easy
Total Repair Time:
Less than 15 mins
Tools:
Nutdriver
1 personfound this instruction helpful.
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freezer was warm
Top freezer took off the panel in freezer and melted the ice around coils and found the defrost thermostat and replaced with the new one. Just followed the instructions from your video on line. Freezer works just fine now. Refrigerator is 38 years old.
Carol from OSHKOSH, WI
Difficulty Level:
Easy
Total Repair Time:
30 - 60 mins
Tools:
Screw drivers
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Fridge warming but freezer still frozen
I ordered a defrost timer and defrost thermostat from partselect.com. Parts arrived in 2 days (earlier than expected). Unplugged appliance, removed bottom cover, unscrewed 2 screws holding timer in place, unplugged timer and replaced with new part. Fastened back into place. Next removed back cover of freezer (5 screws using nut driver). Disconnected old thermostat and removed. Wires already had connectors installed. cut off the connectors with some wire left on and reconnected them to the new thermostat with the included blue wire crimps. Tried to use the shrink tube to insulate but couldn't get it snug enough. Just used electrical tape instead. Reinstalled thermostat. Reassembled cover. Plugged in and fridge and freezer are working fine again. Thanks partselect.com.
I put the refrigerator and saw that the fan wasn't working so I change the fan and the problem still the same. I order a timer and thermostat and change them, nothing change so I order the capacitor and when I remove it I saw that the relay swith was burn out so I order a switch and evarything is ok. The problem when the fan broke the compressor overheat and burn the swich. I learn a lot and still saving money over these repair guy.
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)
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.
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.
Kyle from Porter, OK
Difficulty Level:
Really Easy
Total Repair Time:
Less than 15 mins
Tools:
Nutdriver
2 of 4 peoplefound this instruction helpful.
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Refrigerator was not cooling and the motor was running constantly
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.
The defrost timer is located under the freezer side behind the lower plastic cover. Very simple, just 2 screws and a plug, and your done.
The thermostat requires removing the lower drawers in the freezer and unscrew the back side of the rails and let them hang over to get access to the lower cover on the back of the freezer. Once the panel is off you will be able to see the thermostat. From there you just remove the thermostat from the clip, cut the 2 wires, splice in the new thermostat and re install using the new clip and your done!!
This was my first time and it was really simple. I had a local repair shop quote me $375.00 . I did it myself for under 50.00 shipped to my door..
Keep searches simple. Use keywords, e.g. "leaking", "pump", "broken" or "fit".
Sorry, we couldn't find any existing reviews that matched. Try using some different or simpler keywords.
★★★★★
★★★★★
Jeffrey S - July 23, 2019
Verified Purchase
Part fixed the frig.
The part came just as described and installation was easy by the video. I used the heat gun like the video and it shrank the sleeve too much. Just use less heat and you may not have to wrap it with electrical tape. It works great.
★★★★★
★★★★★
Ricardo R - June 13, 2019
Verified Purchase
pretty easy, I'd give it a 4.5
I applied the part, also a switch at the base of frig, also a new thermostat. It's running now. Just seems that the frig runs all the time. DOn't know if I just have to be patient and let it cycle? Thanks.
★★★★★
★★★★★
Allan S - May 24, 2019
Verified Purchase
working parts
The defrost thermostat and the defrost timer we purchased was not the problem as indicated on your website for (freezer not defrosting) 67% of the time was the defrost time 33% of time was the defrost thermostat you should also indicate the defrost heater could also be the problem. The defrost heater on your site was no longer available but you should mention the defrost heater as a problem also. I purchased quicker shipping in 2 to 3 business days didn't receive until 6 business days later. I purchased a defrost heater on E-BAY Monday at 4:40 p.m. and received it on Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. What great shipping USPS. The DEFROST HEATER fixed the problem.
Not very happy purchased two extra parts not needed.
★★★★★
★★★★★
Michael P - August 19, 2018
Verified Purchase
Saved me money
Buy a new fridge? Nope. Easy install although the heat shrink covers melted befor shrinking all the way. Used electrical tape as well.
★★★★★
★★★★★
David A. D - August 3, 2018
Verified Purchase
easy repair
part was a day late by U S P S and there were no instructions on adjusting it. Fridge would not come on until I tweaked the defrost timer setting, perhaps it would have over time. I am hoping this is the fix for my problems -- Thanks - Your ordering system is top notch
★★★★★
★★★★★
Ken S - July 10, 2018
Verified Purchase
Like for like part, easy repair. Had fridge up and running in 15 minutes.
Part was new with easy install. Price was right. Would recommend Parts Select for any parts replacement.
★★★★★
★★★★★
Mike M - March 3, 2018
Verified Purchase
instructions sound but physically impossible to execute
I got this part and it covered a whole lot of refrigerators. this was a plain Frigidaire refrigerator. Instructions came for a side by side and they wanted you to install about 1" down lower than the top fins on the copper/aluminum weld. Sounded great and clips were sent to hold this onto the slightly bigger joint but the thermostat was physically to big to put where instructed. I ended up using an older same version of the thermostat I had and unit is working. I now have a thermostat that Maybe I can use on another unit that the instructions referred to.
With the Fix app, you can quickly and easily find information on your appliance, along with videos and articles to help you fix it.
"Like magic. I took a picture of the model number on my refrigerator, and the app identified it right away … Very convenient. I'm impressed." ★★★★★ - Clever Jeff
★★★★★
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