Defrost Thermostat Testing, Troubleshooting

This video provides information on how to test a defrost thermostat on a refrigerator. The defrost thermostat is a commonly replaced part on a fridge that isn’t cooling properly.
Other commonly replaced parts when the freezer is cold but the refrigerator is warm are:
Defrost heater
Evaporator fan motor
Damper control assembly
Thermistor
Temperature control board
Main control board
Click here to purchase a replacement refrigerator defrost thermostat:
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Click here to purchase the multimeter used in this part testing video:
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How to disassemble your refrigerator:
• Refrigerator Disassemb...
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All of the information provided in this part testing video is applicable to the following brands:
Amana, Frigidaire, GE, Kenmore, KitchenAid, LG, Maytag, Samsung, Whirlpool
RepairClinic has millions of replacement parts for appliances, lawn equipment, power tools, and heating & cooling equipment including washers, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, lawn mowers, snowblowers, furnaces, and air conditioners. Our customer care team is available to help by phone or live chat, seven days a week: 1-800-269-2609. We guarantee the fastest shipping possible-all in-stock parts ship the same business day. Return any part for any reason with our generous 365-day return policy.
In addition to providing replacement parts, RepairClinic.com offers free online troubleshooting information and DIY repair videos. Use our website to choose from a series of problems to discover the likely causes and the correct replacement part(s) for your particular model. Once you’ve determined the solution, our expertly-produced video tutorials will guide you through every step of the repair.
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[@vincemajestyk9497]

This is really NOT a great video. Just because it has continuity DOESN'T mean it's fine. Opened is not the ONLY failure scenario. I had one that was shorted and ran the defroster 100% of the time. You need to verify the opening and closing per the specs labeled on the part. The 'L' high number is the 'opening' point and the other number following the dash is 'range' number which is subtracted from the first number (open point) to get the closing temperature. BTW, ice water usually won't cut it. These switches normally close at temperatures WAY colder than ice water, like in the 10-25 degree range.

[@aldenhagel5082]

I think this may be my issue. The fridge cools but will only get to 8-10 Celsius. The defroster seems like it’s running all the time. No frost buildup on the fins or anything and if I unplug it it does get cold for a bit but will never get down to that 3-5 celcius

[@vincemajestyk9497]

@@aldenhagel5082 That's exactly the issue I had. The defrost element was like a small oven fighting the evaporator. You could probably tell by the power consumption too. The heater draws a lot. From what I've read in various blogs this seems like a frequently common failure point. It will either open and never operate the defrost coil or stick (short) and run it all the time. You could check the drip tray for moisture or water. Mine was bone dry and had dust, didn't see water in a long time. It was actually my girlfriends frig and the coldest it would get was 41-43F (6 or 7C) even set to the lowest temp which was 10 degrees lower. BTW, I tested my defrost tstat with a multimeter at various temps way above spec and it NEVER opened up.

[@ggordon4127]

Look​@@vincemajestyk9497

[@vincericardo4388]

What about to check physically, if changed it's SHAPE..??

[@wtb6803]

Or light up a small bulb?

[@deankay4434]

This is a “Snap-Switch” on many models used for decades. Not water, plugged filter, tray coating missing making cubes stick, teeth on plastic gear broke, heater element open are all things that result in no cubes. An adjustment to increase or decrease cube size and should only be turned 1/4 turn at a time. It too far, no or tiny cubes may come out. Yes, this video could be 45 minutes long to cover common issues with a 10 - 14 year old ridge from working. This ice cube maker was designed in the late 60’s and cheaper versions are used. Old ones are identical but still work! Funny right!

[@kevinburns2453]

My GE side-by-side Model No. GSS2ODBPH has a defrost thermostat that says L140-30. This means that it opens above 140°F and closes around 110°F. I have tested it and this is how it performs.

[@yogibearyogibear7229]

Is this a question?

[@howtodoitdude1662]

Thanks, I wasn’t aware about putting it in ice water. Makes sense!

[@AbbasBawa-ww5kc]

Hi 👋❤

[@repairclinic]

You're welcome! We are always happy to help. If you would like to give us a review on Google, we would much appreciate it: g.page/r/CcVUrahZNozMEBM/review We hope that you have a great day!

[@DeepakKumar-ot3dh]

❤❤❤❤

[@repairclinic]

You're welcome! We are always happy to help. If you would like to give us a review on Google, we would much appreciate it: g.page/r/CcVUrahZNozMEBM/review We hope that you have a great day!

[@Brittvanegas]

I put a whirpool defrosting thermostat and it fixed the problem

[@dossegundos7145]

Lol 😀 if it has continuity when it’s not in iced water it’s bad because it is staying opened and the defroster will never work in the freezer.

[@anonymous..-]

You mean like the video says ?

[@ronaldmcdonald999]

This repair clinic guy is giving the wrong information.. it is suppose to read OL and Continuity to initiate defrost.. stop giving out the wrong information..

[@yogibearyogibear7229]

He put in in ice water....lowering the tempurature, and read continuity....exacltey as its suppposed to, exactley as explained...​@ronaldmcdonald999

[@kwacz]

I replaced my defrost thermostat and it failed again a month later. Why??? Why do they keep burning out constantly. Heating element is working properly.

[@vincemajestyk9497]

Chinese parts.

[@kwacz]

@@vincemajestyk9497 probably

[@uawsux]

no this is wrong this is absolutely wrong the defrost thermostat opens to turn the heater off at a certain temperature it closes when the sensor tells it there is Frost there's a computer board there somewhere

[@kuma303]

That's the hard lesson I learned the other day too. It opens when defrost is needed. I think of it as turning cooling off and let heater does its work.

[@kwacz]

I replaced my defrost thermostat and a month later freezer was iced up again. Guess what. Defrost thermostat is bad again but why?? Nothing but problems since i bought this whirlpool refrigerator.

[@andrewgordon235]

I started with the defrost control board because of humidity issues and ice in the drain. It fixed the humidity but it still wasn't defrosting so I replaced the heating element in the defrost which took care of the ice build up in the freezer but the pan in the back is bone dry so the only thing left is the thermostat to try and get it defrosting again. I bought a whirlpool too.

[@kwacz]

@@andrewgordon235 the control board fixed it. Seems like i need one every year to year and a half. Cheap garbage. Will never buy one of these whirlpool things again. Also bought a washer and drier and wish i would have fixed my old ones. Once again junk. Whirlpool used to be good but not anymore.

[@tcda6ix361]

​@@kwacznothing is good anymore nor just whirlpool, you are running from one problem to another

[@kwacz]

@@tcda6ix361 i know. Nothing anyone makes anymore is any good. Its a shame really. You dont really have any good choices anymore. They are all junk

[@vincemajestyk9497]

@@tcda6ix361 I just fixed my girlfriend's frig with this problem. 2018 Kenmore French door made by Frigidaire in Mexico with Chinese parts. She bought it right before Sears went TU. I know. The new part came and said made in 'PR of China. They're real proud now.