Switch replacement was easy:
-unplug fridge
-using medium flathead, pry out old switch, starting from back, be gentle it's all plastic
-when switch pops out, grab the wires and don't let them fall back into hold
-there should be three wires
-connect to new switch in same pattern
-push new switch back in, being careful to orient it correctly
while replacing the freezer switch, i noticed that one of the wires had loosened up and detacted from the old switch anyway, which was probably the actual problem. hopefully the new switch will hold the wire better. if that doesn't do it i'll crimp the connector down a little more.