[mikey]

Need help for figuring out what replacement parts to buy. Side by side freezer is icing up, leading to poor cooling. Various websites indicate a defroster thermostat is probably the culprit, but I have a choice of purchasing just a new thermostat for about $25 or an entire thermostat / heater kit for about $55. My owners manual only shows the thermostat, so would I be wasting my money on the additional parts? Or, could I possibly need to replace the heaters, even they do not show up on my manual parts' list? Thanks!

[PS Staff - Sheila]

If the fridge is not defrosting it can be one of three parts.

There are two that you have mentioned the other is the timer.

The timer is located in the fridge side around the controls or at the back of the fridge around the compressor.

There is a knob that sticks out the timer that you can turn using a screwdriver.

By slowly turning this you can manually put the fridge in the defrost cycle.

If there is a great amount of ice build up it will take awhile to see this start to defrost.

If you have defrosted the fridge then let it run until the fridge reaches operational temperature.

Here is a picture of the timer.




Here is a picture of the defrost heater and thermostat.

[mikey]

So, if I can force a defrost cycle in the freezer by using this timer, and it works, then I should be replacing only the timer, correct? If it doesn't work, then I should plan on purchasing and replacing all three items? Thanks!

[purefct]

You're probably on track, but my freezer is frosting and icing, but it looks to be due to a poor seal on the door. Just a thought ...