How to Troubleshoot & Replace Whirlpool AP6009627 / WP52085-29 Defrost Thermostat

My freezer units back inside panel were icing up and on the refrigerator side it wasn't cooling down to the normal setting. The unit was constantly running and I knew it was one or more of three things. Defrost timer, defrost heater, or defrost thermostat. The timer was good so I ordered a new thermostat and heater from AppliancePartsPros.com. After pulling the rear panel and allowing the ice buildup to drain off, I replaced the heater and thermostat. My issue was a bad defrost heater but a defrost thermostat is almost impossible to test without dry ice to lower its temperature to the activation point. I find it best to replace the thermostat whenever you replace the heater unit. On a side-by-side refrigerator, the working space to replace these parts is tight but for a hundred bucks and a little intestinal fortitude, I'm good to go. AppliancePartsPros.com is a lifesaver for people who like to repair and service their appliances. They will always be my go-to supply house for top-of-the-line replacement parts 

I went to the AppliancePartsPro website and found it to be very "user friendly." I quickly found the appropriate schematic for my model refrigerator and the reference for the defective part (defrost thermostat.) The ordered part was discounted, reasonably priced, and arrived very quickly. I followed the online instructions for replacing the thermostat. The process took about half an hour. It was a very easy repair. The refrigerator, which my wife wanted to trash, is working like new again. 

I've had this issue in the past. I checked the door gasket and found it to be fine. So I knew it had to do with the defrost cycle. I replaced the defrost heater, timer, and thermostat to be safe. Works fine now. 

Replaced it and a few other parts while in there.26 year old refrigerator working great again! 

My Jenn Air refrigerator is now 28 years old and the only thing I have ever had to replace was the Heater, Radiant to the Freezer section. Today considering the age, I replaced both the Defrost Heater and Defrost Thermostat. The total time to remove the back panel a freezer compartment, defrost coils with a hair dryer, remove old parts and install new parts and replace the back panel was 1.75 hours. Saving of approximately $300 in labor/trip charges. Not to mention repairman not having the correct parts and needing a second trip. Model JRSI223, I do not know where the model number below came from, maybe the replacement parts are tied to JRS04BW5BBJ? 

Received parts used hair dryer to melt ice around coiles and replaced heater timer and thermostat saved $385 labor cost 

Replaced coil and thermostat 

I replaced the old original defrost thermostat myself by removing the panel from the freezer compartment, unclip the two connectors and the thermostat itself, then installed the new one (after the refrigerator's power cord was first unplugged from the wall socket). Then, put back the protective panel. The time needed for all this is between 15 and 30 minutes depending how skilled you are and how fast you work. 

Had an appliance repair service diagnose the problem and specify the parts needed. Ordered the parts. They arrived the next day. I was amazed. Watched a video on you tube and fixed the problem. 

Luckly I have an electrician in the family and he said most likely, your defrost thermostat went bad. I searched the internet and ordered a new one from appliancepartspros.com. Within a few days and for only $35.00 I had my new part delivered to the house. I watched the "how to video" and less than a half hour I had the new thermostat installed and the cover plate back on. Plugged the fridge back in and it started cooling/freezing. If I can do it anyone can. This saved big bucks if I had to call in a service person. That would have cost $200.00 plus:-) it only required a screwdriver to make the repair.