How to Troubleshoot & Replace Ge AP2071464 / WR51X442 Defrost Heater

I changed out the heater thermostat and timer I fixed my fridge when I thought I couldn't 

Replaced defrost heater harness. The lower heating element had burned out. First, I had to melt the solid cake of ice buildup off of the evaporator coils behind the back panel in the freezer unit. Used a hair dryer to do this. Works very efficiently. The replacement defrost heater harness came as a complete unit that includes both upper and lower heating elements as well as the thermostat. Very easy to replace. The fridge is almost 20 years old, but the replacement parts were identical to those removed. 

Studied your instructions. Removed back freezer panel, defrosted the thick ice buildup, turned on the timer with screw but it did not defrost. Ordered part from you, and when Defrost Heater with Thermostat arrived, studied instructions and freezer wiring again - then installed in less than 10 minutes! It was very simple. I had guests over also so I was distracted yet it was easy! Before reinstalling the back panel, I let the refrigerator run it's normal cycle. When both heaters were on, it defrosted all the ice on the Evaporator Coils and it did it's job. Screwed back panel, put food back in the freezer and I am very happy!! Thank you!!! 

After checking the compressor and finding it running at a normal temp I did some online research. Realizing there was no airflow in the fridge I unloaded the freezer and pulled the back panel to find the fan running but the coils all froze up. After testing the temp sensor and finding it closed I defrosted everything with a heatgun and then checked the 2 heaters finding 1 bad. Another google and I found a complete kit with both heaters, wiring and the sensor at AppliancePartsPros. It arrived in about a week and took 15 minutes to install. Since I had restarted the unit while waiting for the kit to arrive it had maintained temp but started icing up again. After installation I reopened the back panel to check 3 days later and the ice buildup was all gone and it has been working perfectly for over a month. 

I unplugged the unit and removed the inside cover on the freezer side and saw the coils were full of ice, learning what I did from the videos on Appliance Parts Pros I unplugged the unit and thawed out the freezer, checked the heater with an ohm meter looking for approx 40ohms, the reading I got was an open circuit. which told me that the heating unit was bad. I ordered a heater replacement from Appliance Parts Pros, connected the new heater, turned the refrigerator back on and made sure that the unit was out of defrost mode by turning the slot on the defrost timer with a screwdriver until I heard the compressor come on, (The defrost timer is located on the Refrigerator side) The Unit is Back on-line, working like it should, Many thanks you saved me $1200.00 because My Wife was ready to go buy a brand new unit. 

Installed new defrost heaters and thermostat. Very easy fix. Parts came in 3 days. 1/2 hour after fedex delivered parts my freezer was runing. 

From the AppliancePartsPros web site I found that 80% of the time either one or both of the defrost heater or timer caused these symptoms. Ordered and received the parts in less than 2 days. Replaced both parts in less than 2 hours without any hassles. Only 48 hours have past but all is operating with the proper temperatures. The most likely failure was the defrost heaters, they were totally blackened when removed and the new ones were clear glass when installed. I have no way of knowing whether the defrost timer was bad or not, but replacing it as well seemed like a good thing to do. Over\ all work with the AppliancePartsPro web site has been an excellent experience. 

I went to AppliancePartsPros.com where I was able to figure out that the problem was in the defrost heater system. Then, I watched the video on how to change the defrost heater and defrost timer. When the parts came, I just followed along with the video and changed the parts. It was easier than I would have thought. And I was very happy when the refrigerator began working normally again. I was proud of myself! 

I replaced the Defrost Heater and the Defrost Timer and that seem to have solve the problems. I found the video instruction on how to change these parts and advice from the Appliance Pro Technicians to be extremely helpful. 

Ordered the Defrost Heater Kit and Defrost Timer from Appliance Parts Pros. The parts were installed and it works great now! I have ordered from them before with great results and very appreciative of their expertise and help in obtaining the right part for my refrigerator. I am very happy with the company and the parts!!!!