[Bill Rett]

Hi all - we have a 10 Cu. Ft. top freezer refrigerator the has gone through 4 thermostats in 4 years. They all fail the same way. The failure is that the thermostat slowly loses its differential. When the thermostat is first installed, the fridge compressor will come on at 33 degrees and shut off at 40 degrees when the temp setting is at Med. on the thermostat dial. After about a year, we have to set the dial to max to maintain 42 degrees in the food compartment. The compressor comes on at 42 degrees and will shut off at about 41 degrees which causes the compressor to cycle on for about 1 minute and the shut off for about 1 minute. We keep the condenser coils on the back of the unit clean and the fridge seems to work fine as far as the cooling system is concerned. Replacing the thermostat solves the problem so I am convinced the problem is the thermostat. Whats up with this? The only replacement thermostat I can find is from GE and made in Mexico. Are there any alternatives to this item? Is there a universal replacement that will fit that is made by someone else? I purchased all but the last one from Partselect. Any help will be greatly appreciated. ( the current thermostat lasted 7 months).

Bill

[PS Volunteer - Appguy]

You are right on with your measurements and a low differential will create hard starting periods with compressor.
First, short the cold control and measure the freezer and refrigerator temperatures, should be near zero for freezer, 32 for fridge. If ok, get a constant differential control. Pn GC505 (3030-505) It is a universal control, ie. it will control the ambient temperature in the fridg. The capillary needs to be routed AWAY from the vent coming from the freezer.
I have used these before, they are an excellant control.

[Bill Rett]

Appguy - thanks for the info on the thermostat. If I call partselect to order the GC-505 thermostat will they know what I want? Is there a site I can go to that has a drawing of the thermostat so I can see how much and how to modify the fridge for installation of this thermo? Thanks again for the help. I did short out the thermostat contacts and run the fridge for about 15 minutes and the food compartment temp went down to about 28 degrees, so I am confident that the thermostat is the problem. A final question - is there anything about the fridge that would be causing this failure, or is it likely that it has been a series of faulty thermostats?

Bill

[PS Volunteer - Appguy]

This is a very common thermostat, they will have it in stock. It it is a fits all types, so you will have no problems.
I had a GE fridge that did this and never really found the problem. My best guess is either contaminated refrigerant from manufacturing or a marginal compressor. On this refrigerator, eventually, after a few more years, it had to be junked.

[Bill Rett]

Appguy - I tried to order the GC505 (3030-505) thermostat from Partselect this morning, and the person I talked to (Laurie) upon looking the No. up, found that the part has been prematurely discontinued and no alternative was available. Any suggestions? I sure don't want to use another GE control because of the premature failures in these controls.

[PS Volunteer - Appguy]

You can order it from Partselect under part number PS297334. It is number 869 on the breakdown. Here is a link to your fridge model GTS10AAMARWW.

Also,short the control again and measure freezer temperature at the back wall after 1/2 hr running, and post, you might have a refrigerant leak.

[Bill Rett]

Appguy - Got a Gemline GC 505 cold control(new) on Ebay. Like you said, an easy install, all the needed mounding brackets Etc. included with unit. Fridge seems fine after some repositioning of the cap tube. After 1/2 hour of the compressor running, the back wall of the freezer is at -5 degrees F. Does this sound OK? Thanks a bunch for you invaluable help, I really appreciate it.

Bill

[PS Volunteer - Appguy]

Good, and remember this is a universal control so it has value if you junk fridge.
I would monitor the fridge. temeratures to confirm you have no deteriorating function of fridg. Good luck.