Kenmore / Sears Refrigerator Defrost Timer, Adaptive Defrost Control

• Frost buildup
• Fridge runs too long
• Freezer too cold
• Freezer not defrosting

My problem first showed up as varying temperature in both sections of my old mid 1970’s Frigidaire model FPCI-170T-7 refrigerator, which is not listed on most appliance repair databases. Running on the warm side from time to time, as well as sudden fan noise (probably the fan blade hitting ice build-up on the evaporator coil) alerted me to a possible defrost system problem, since the compressor was cooling. The evaporator fan eventually failed after a day or so, and a major repair was... Read more

• Too warm
• Fridge runs too long
• Fridge too cold
• Frost buildup

A word of thanks to AppliancePartsPros - they delivered in one day. Ordered at 4PM CDT and received the part by noon the next day. Also, Alicia in the help department was able to locate an electrical diagram for my old freezer. This was essential for proper setup and her persistence in tracking down the diagram was top notch. Now on to my problem. One day I opened the freezer and found frost and thawing food. I attributed this to the door hitting an item in the freezer and not completely... Read more

Suspected it was the thermostat, since temperature stayed the same at multiple settings over a 24 hr period. There was only three components inside the freezer besides the evaporator, the fan was working, so I decided to just go ahead and replace the thermostat and defrost thermostat. Also replaced the defrost timer by the compressor, just to get all the old parts replaced with new. I had already replaced the compressor, so now I've pretty much have a new freezer. The new parts works great and... Read more

• Freezer not defrosting
• Leaking
• Freezer section too warm
• Fridge too warm

We just had the Defrost Timer replaced less than 90 days ago. Called the appliance company who came to diagnose ($109) and it was the same part, (a $34 part). The part was warrantied, but not the service, which was $270. I saw them install the part in July... less than 5 minutes! The company told me that they bill not by time spent on labor, but according to the "national average" for that repair. They wouldn't give me the warrantied new part without doing the labor. I checked with... Read more

• Won't start
• Fridge runs too long
• Frost buildup
• Fridge too warm

After reviewing a number of testimonials and your videos from your APP.com site I determined my most likely problem was either the defrost heater, thermostat, timer or possibly all three. The real challenge now began. Getting to the specific parts with my specific model number was a real challenge. It was not as easy as removing the light guard and 5 screws since my model had two Track Cant Shelf vertical rails restricting the removal of the back panel. Also, these rails could not be removed... Read more

I removed to the cover to the coil, defrosted coil with a heat gun and checked the heater strip resistance. I set timer to defrost by hand to make sure everything was working. There was damage to the temp control sensor. Both parts were on your web site at a good price, ordering was easy. The parts were in the mail two days later. A screwdriver and nut driver were the only other tools other than a multi meter. Parts installed in five min. I had the option of talking with a pro !!! Read more

• Freezer not defrosting
• Too warm
• Fridge runs too long
• Fridge too warm

I am not new to APP, fixed a tub belt on a Maytag dryer in the past. My frig started getting warm so I went onto to one of those "lists" sites and found a appliance repair place. The guys were great and came out right away. The tech said it was the cold control and $260 later my part was replaced, about 30 minutes. Great I thought until my frig started getting warm again. Those cold sensors on the beer bottles are a great indicator. Not wanting to spend another $260 I looked up on APP to see if... Read more

• Freezer section too warm
• Fridge too warm

Replaced the heater, timer, and wiring harness Read more

I replaced the defrost thermostat and the defrost timer. That corrected the problem. Be careful when ordering your parts. I put in my model# and they gave me a defrost timer that was incorrect. I had to return at my cost and order the correct one. Don't assume because you put in your model# that the part is correct. On each part there is a box to put in your model# to check to see if it fits your model. Don't assume that because you put your model# in before that it fits. If not sure, call them... Read more

• Won't start

Tried to put refrigerator in defrost mode and defrost would not initiate. Checked the bi-metal and heater, both tested good. Replaced the ADC board and refrigerator went in to defrost. problem solved. Read more

• Fridge too warm

Order a new defrost timer from ApplianceParts online. I received the parts in a couple of days, installed it and that completely fixed the problem. Thanks ApplianceParts for such fast, efficient service; and for a part that was very reasonably price, not to mention the ease in finding it on your website by using the model number of my fridge. Couldn't have been easier. Read more

The refrigerator was given to me and hasn't defrosted since it was new. I found the defrost timer had a burnt spot on the circuit board. After installing a new timer, the refrigerator would trip the circuit breaker in my house when it entered defrost mode. I found that the pink wire running from the control board all the way to the thermostat was shorted somewhere between the two parts, inside the refrigerator. I ran a new "pink" wire and all is good. Read more

• Fridge too warm

First I took the technical data sheet off the back of the unit, it was in a brown envelop taped and tucked into the lower equipment cover. Then I compared information from Appliance Parts Pros to the data sheet, matched up the probable culprit parts, and ordered defrost thermostat and defrost control. They arrived promptly.. Unplug the unit from the wall. The defrost control is located in the same space as the light, two screws and the small panel drops down, a tip is to use a short #2... Read more

I looked on line and found out what might be wrong and then ordered the part from Parts-Pro. They showed us how to install the part. We installed the part and it works as good as new. We have ordered replacement parts from this company many times. We've always had good service from them. I would highly recommend them for all your needs. Read more

The 20 year old unit still serves us well, looks good and has been kept in good repair. The condenser fan had stopped so I removed, cleaned and oiled that motor. The decision was made to make an upgrade to the evaporator motor and control units so that the appliance could reasonably be expected to have extended service life. The Ice maker module had been replaced 7 years ago. I ordered the parts and have made the upgrade for temperature controller and the defrost control. If you are in a... Read more

• Freezer not defrosting

I had had the same problem 4 or 5 years ago and spent close to $200 to repair it. I did have the slip from that repair with part #'s so I went ahead and ordered a defrost timer and thermostat. You-tube had plenty of videos on replacing those parts and even before they arrived I was able to add a switch and bypass the broken thermostat and start a cycle manually with the timer. (which it seems was was still functional). Between that and cycling some ice packs up from the still working... Read more