[BobD2896]

freezer fills with frozen water that does not drain from pan under Evaporator. Assuming the water drips in pan during defrost cycle and refreezes without draining. Ice builds up and water drains down over ice into freezer compartment. I have orderd the Though heater assuming it needs replacement so water can drain from pan. Is there any recommended procedure for replacing this heater. I am assuming I can go through the freezer compartment remove ice maker and panels above pull off old heater and plug in new one. Can I plug it in from below or do I need to pull out the freezer and come from behind?

[PS Volunteer - Appguy]

If water is dripping down from the icemaker area, you probably have a bad water solenoid, to confirm just turn off water to fridg and check.

[BobD2896]

This is not a supply water leak it is water coming from the defrost cycle of the evaporator unit. The water does not drain beacause the drip pan freezes with ice then as time passes and defrost cycles run the defrosted water drips on the ice and overflows into the freezer compartment. Can you offer any advise as to the procedure to replace the "Through heater"? This heater is applied to the bottom of the drip pan and prevents the pan from freezing during defrost cycles so that the water can drain through the drain tube and come out under the compressor where it evaporates from the heat. Is it replaceable from below the evaporator or do I have to pull the unit out and attack it from the rear? I am concerned that I won't be able to plug the heater in from the bottom front as the wires appear to run to the back of the unit when viewing diagram.