Customer Questions and Answers for Defrost Timer by Whirlpool

This defrost timer controls when your refrigerator or freezer enters and exits the automatic defrost cycle to clear frost from the evaporator coils. Replacing a failed timer restores reliable defrosting to help maintain airflow, cooling performance, and stable temperatures.

• Advances on a timed schedule to initiate and end the defrost cycle
• Sends power to the defrost heater during defrost, then returns the system to cooling
• Helps prevent heavy frost buildup that restricts airflow and cooling
• Common symptoms of a bad timer: unit not defrosting or warming over time, heavy ice on the evaporator/cover, stuck running or stuck in defrost, or a timer that won't advance

• Disconnect power before servicing
• Access the timer (commonly in the control housing or machine compartment)
• Note/photograph wire positions and move leads one at a time to the new timer; mount securely
• Restore power and monitor for proper cycling; some models allow using the timer's advance slot to start a test defrost