How to Troubleshoot & Replace Ge AP2071521 / WR51X10029 Defrost Heater Assembly

Replaced the heater harness defroster assembly because the coils were freezing up thinking that would take care of the fill tube issue also. That did not take care of the ice maker fill tube freezing up. Replace the timer and the coils no longer are freezing up but the fill tube is still freezing up. Replaced the grommet and the fill tube is still freezing up. Finally replaced the dual water inlet valve and it took care of the fill tube freezing up. The dual water inlet valve was plugged up with foreign material on the inlet side of the solenoid. In the future, I would check the dual water inlet valve as the #1 item for the ice maker fill tube freezing up and pushing out of the grommet. Even though I replaced all these other items the total cost including shipping ($150) was less than a service call and repair. Now my 14 year refrigerator might out live me. 

Replaced the defrost heater and defrost thermostat (they come together as one part). The defrost heater element had burned out likely due to a bumpy ride to a new house. The fix took about 1 hour and now the fridge runs good as new. Part cost only about $70. 

The video was great on the product page, that really helped me. Although with my fridge, it was a little different, and a little more challenging to get to one of the the connections. It was pretty easy once I was able to access it. And did I mention that the video really helped out a lot! 

The Defrost heater assembly was apparently broken and it was replaced. I guess we didn't need the defrost timer, but will probably keep it just to have it on hand in case it would go bad. The project only took 30-60 minutes because we had to unload the whole freezer and defrost the coils before we could change the heating assembly. Actually changing the assembly took maybe 10-15 minutes. Wish shipping would have been less but we had to get it fast because we were losing all our food. I just went to the store for so we did the next day at almost $25. :-( Good thing was it did come the very next day by about 2 pm! So far, the freezer is back down to 10 degrees and the fridge is back to 38-40 degrees. 

I got the correct part numbers off of the Technical Data Sheet attached to the bottom of the refrigerator, watched the online repair videos to ensure I knew of any gotchas, then quickly and easily replaced the parts. I didn't do much in the way of diagnostics so I replaced the heater bracket, thermostat and control units all together as they were all ~ 16+ years old. Note that the WR51X10029 already includes the thermostat (WR50X0122) so no need to purchase the thermostat separately if you buy the heater and harness kit (also, no splicing, heat tubing required). 

Correct assessment from the FAQ section for my issue....great video on repair....ordered products and arrived on time....completed repair and saved me A LOT doing it this way. And it WORKED...thanks to all 

Removed panel inside freezer. Used a hair dryer to defrost the coils. Re moved the old defroster unit. Replaced the old defroster with the new one and replaced the panel and plugged it back up. 

Replaced this part 

Given that I hadn't taken the refrigerator apart, I could only guess what to buy. The descriptions of the parts available were a little vague so, I bought anything that looked like it might work. Now I have extra parts for next time. Either that or I wasted money. Bottom line is, I'm back up running without the need to buy a new unit and swap them out in the basement. 

GE Side by Side fridge with icemaker. Troubleshot to see if the compressor and evaporator fan was running, they were. Removed back inside panel of side by side freezer to reveal a block of ice covering coils. Unplugged the unit and let the ice melt. (Used a small heater and shop vac to clean up water). Removed the defrost timer and tested with an ohm meter, was bad. Removed the defrost heater, the glass was burnt and testing with an ohm meter revealed an open circuit. Ordered the defrost heater which came with a wiring harness and defrost timer. (Thermostat). Put everything in and back together, working fine. Could have used much cheaper parts, but have learned to use factory OEM when possible. Don't want to have food ruined too many times, lol...