How to Troubleshoot & Replace Ge AP2061695 / WR9X489 Defrost Timer

Replaced defrost timer. 

Had earlier replaced the defrost heaters. Installed the defrost timer to update the refrigerator, purchased in 1993. 

Ordered a new part, installed it, all is good. 

After watching the videos on what could be wrong, I purchased the heater assembly, thermostat and the defrost timer. The problem was the heater assembly, but while I had the thing apart I thought it best to replace all. The assembly and disassembly was more involved than what was shown on the video. I needed to remove both side rails to be able to remove the access panel. It was obvious that the heater was bad. Actually replacing the assembly was quite simple. I had difficulty locating the thermostat. I was able to remove and replace it without removing the entire ice maker which was done carefully and with small hands. Water leaks onto the floor when I use the cold water or auto ice maker. I'm not sure where it is leaking so I will just leave the water shut off. An earlier repair I changed the valve, there is a second valve further in which is too difficult to access so I will go old school and fill the ice bin with ice from trays and a pitcher to filter the water. I am glad I had a spare freezer to keep things cold until the repair was finished. The refrigerator is cleaner now than it has ever been! 

I replaced the defrost timer, the temperature control and the freezer heaters figuring it had to be one of them and since the fridge is 20 years old, the other parts might break soon anyway. Turns out that more than likely it was the defrost heaters in the freezer section because once removed, I could see one was all corroded and for sure broken. Now my side by side GE is working great again. It really was very easy to replace all the parts. The defrost timer was the easiest. Unscrew, unplug. Plug in new one, screw cover back on. Done!! 

After watching many videos, I diagnosed that the defrost timer and the heater were not working. I replaced both of them as well as the defrost thermostat just for good measure. 

The other symptom was use build up in the ice chute. Internet wisdom said either the air circulation fan, or the defrost components. Fan was working quietly and found that was drawing air into the chute as the refrigeration coils were completely iced up. Bought the defrost heater kit and a new defrost timer (fridge side) as I did not want to waste time figuring out which had failed, or fix one only for the other to fail. Delivery in three days, install in about 30 minutes. Now day 3 and all is looking good. 

Noticing frequent ice cube melt and refreeze, I put a recording thermometer in the freezer for a few days. Showed fairly regular cycling of 12-16 hours from below zero to about 35 F. After reading on APP site and speaking with a very helpful tech rep at APP, decided that the cycling was most likely the defrost timing system. Ordered a new timer. Replaced the old timer, but still not acting correctly. Spoke with another very knowledgeable and helpful tech rep. Turns out the timers are shipped without consistency regarding phase of timing. He had me manually cycle the timer and now all is back to normal on my 20+ yo GE Profile. 

The fridge we just bought used was not cooling enough. After much research I decided to try to fix it myself. So I started at the top of the list. I bought the defrost timer and had my husband melt all the built up frost on the coils. (That process took the longest) Changing the timer was super simple. It took me 10 minutes. I left the cover off of the coils to watch the progress. I let it run for 4 days and it frosted over again. I decided to replace the defrost heater and thermostat. It was super easy as well. It only took me longer because I was trying to mount the heater in the wrong spot. I watched a replacement video again and figured it out. It's been 3 days and my fridge is cold, finally. Not bad for a 1998 fridge for $100 and $50 in parts. I'm considering refrigerator repair as a hobby. It's so simple. 

Called your people who helped in locating where it was inside the refrigerator, received the next day, and replaced it with no problem.