Customer Questions and Answers for Defrost Timer (Mechanical) by Ge

This mechanical defrost timer controls the refrigerator's automatic defrost cycle, clearing frost from the evaporator and helping maintain stable temperatures. Replacing a faulty timer restores regular defrost intervals to prevent frost buildup and inconsistent cooling.

• Cycles the system between cooling and defrost at set intervals to remove frost from the evaporator coils
• Heavy frost on the freezer back wall or evaporator cover may indicate a failed timer
• Fresh food section warming while the freezer seems cold, or unit stuck in defrost with no cooling
• Compressor runs continuously or never restarts; timer does not advance as expected

• Disconnect power before servicing to avoid electrical shock
• Access location varies by model; commonly in the control housing, behind the kick plate, or at the rear near the compressor
• Photograph or label wiring and transfer wires one at a time to the matching terminals
• Mount securely, restore power, and confirm normal cooling/defrost operation