The Bimetal Defrost Thermostat is an OEM part for Whirlpool refrigerators. It plays a vital role in the defrost system, regulating the freezer temperature to prevent excessive frost buildup. The thermostat serves as a safety device by shutting off power to the defrost heater if the temperature gets too high, thereby protecting the appliance from overheating and potential damage. Its specifications include a 5-1/4" orange wire, a 25" brown wire, and a 1/2" clip.
You should replace the bimetal defrost thermostat if it becomes faulty. Over time, it can deteriorate due to normal wear and tear, electrical problems, or exposure to extreme temperatures, leading to malfunctioning of the defrost cycle.
Symptoms of a bad bimetal defrost thermostat include:
- Excessive frost accumulation in the freezer
- The refrigerator running continuously or not maintaining the proper temperature
- The defrost heater failing to activate
This OEM part is also compatible with Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Magic Chef, Admiral, Norge, Roper, and Kenmore models.