How to Troubleshoot & Replace Ge AP2071464 / WR51X442 Refrigerator Defrost Heater

I ordered a new defrost heater from Appliance Parts Pros at 10:30 am expecting to have it in 2 days but to my surprise it was at my door by 9:00 am the next day. The part was a direct replacement and our fridge is running great 

I unplugged the fridge until all the ice melted and then installed the defrost heater and defrost timer. The videos from the site was helpful and the job was relatively easy. 

Not sure I did yet, I replaced the defrost heater. Super easy fix, found a video online. Defrosted the coils, removed the four screws holding the heaters in installed the new one. 

This was a very easy fix, 1 to 1 replacement, though I would suggest purchasing the assembly [heater unit that includes thermostat] as opposed to just thermostat, as you would need to splice the wires; all 4 join at 1 connector. Replaced timer as well, to reduce possible failure points. Good as new! 

The video attached to this part was for another freezer type. After I got the part I looked up a new video . The fix was so easy! I had to unscrew 6 screws to remove the back panel. Then I used a hair dryer to melt all the ice build up. Unplugged old unit. Removed 4 more screws to take bad unit out. All in all it took me only 50 minutes to take apart, defrost, replace the unit and put the panel back on! Super easy to do. Even if you don't know anything about freezers, like I didn't 

Researched possible causes, located drawings on Appliance parts web site, ordered defrost heater kit on Sunday, received the parts on Wednesday. Installed in about 10 minutes. Working great. Thanks - Dave from Manton MI 

Replaced defrost heaters behind freezer wall. 

Cooling coils were a block of ice. Defroster unit had stopped working. One of the heating units had burned out. Allowed cooling coils to defrost and replaced defroster heater unit. Hardest part was emptying the freezer section to take the back panel out. 

Freezer was Icing up and refrigerator was not cooling properly due to lack of air circulation from the Freezer. Very easy to replace, just needed a screw driver and about 30 minutes.