How to Troubleshoot & Replace Whirlpool AP6005994 / WP2183400 Timer

Replaced the heater element and the timer. The timer was fine but I figured I should replace both while doing it. Getting all the ice melted is what took the longest. Replacing the parts took approx. 30 minutes. 

I replaced it with a new defrost timer from appliance parts pro [ which by the way was delivered the next day! ] and is back in service. 

Replaced timer and heater to fix both problems. Hardest step was removing the old timer, as it was held in place with one way clips instead of screws. Had to disassemble freezer to access the defrost heater, then bend more clips to replace it. Worth fixing, 21 cubic feet uses only 510 kwh per year, near modern standards, and is electrically insulated enough to run on a ground fault outlet. 

Researched your website for troubleshooting advice, determined the problem, ordered the part. Installed the new part, switched on the fridge, monitored it for 3 days to verify it was working properly. 

Replaced the defrost timer and my frig is back to working properly. 

Not knowing which might be bad I first replaced the Timer (easiest to replace). Achieving no appreciable difference after 24 hours I then replaced the Defrost Thermostat. This of course involved emptying the freezer into coolers to get to its location. After the freezer was emptied it was a simple job of removing two panels with a total of about 4 screws and several push-pin type retainers to get to the Thermostat. Simple job of cutting 2 wires and installing the new Thermostat with crush type wire connectors. Reinstall the panels and reload the freezer and all is well and freezing as is normal. Freezer's age 28 years bought new in 1993, Whirlpool. 

Power was on, compressor off. Manually turned defrost timer, compressor started. Ended up changing compressor relay, caps, overload. Replaced defrost timer, defrost bi-metal tested ok so have a spare now. Even with compressor running unit would not cool down much. Ended up using dry ice to store all the food in Styrofoam iceboxes overnight when it was clear we were going to lose all the food. Pulled freezer section air shroud, found evaporator coils clogged with ice, air door to frig also clogged with ice, Defrosted with heat gun. Working good now. - 10 in freezer 38 in frig. I thought the compressor was dying but the resistances checked out okay. The condenser coils don't get very warm on this unit which fooled me into thinking maybe the compressor was weak. Not so, these units run at relatively low 190-200 watts for most of the time. Especially now with the hot spell we're having. Considering wiring the defrost circuit with a "vacation" switch to insure it doesn't trigger the defrost coil when I am away. Keeping an eye on it. 

Replaced the timer. Very simple job, other than getting the panel open to access the timer. Four wires on one plug block were easily attached. Total repair time was roughly 30 minutes from start to finish. 

I replaced the defrost timer after verifying the defrost thermostat and heater were good using a multimeter. 

Ordered replacement for this Whirlpool top freezer fridge. Bottom fridge freezes up constantly, turned thermostat clear down but no difference. After checking rotation of old fan (clockwise) see new fan is counterclockwise. Removed fan took armature out and reversed it, put screws back in.This puts the wire tabs 1.5 inches farther from the wire plug. Had to splice the two wires to get more length. Reinstalled in fridge freezer. Correct rotation, quite, perfect fit. Bottom of fridge works perfect, no freeze up of food. Freezer 2 below zero. Wished I had checked for correct fan rotation at the start. This is more a generic part than the factory exact replacement. Fridge is1992 year.