The defrost timer controls your refrigerator's automatic defrost cycle, periodically pausing cooling to power the defrost heater. Replacing a faulty timer restores proper defrosting to help prevent frost buildup, temperature swings, and excessive run time.
- Advances the system between cooling and defrost at set intervals
- Sends power to the defrost heater, then returns the unit to cooling
- Failure may cause heavy frost on evaporator coils and weak airflow
- Fresh food section may run warm while the freezer ices over
- Unit may run constantly, never defrost, or get stuck in defrost
What's included: 1 defrost timer Installation notes:
- Disconnect power before servicing
- Location varies by model; access the timer (often in the control housing or rear compartment), note wire positions, and transfer one at a time
- Mount and secure the timer as originally installed; reuse existing bracket/fasteners
- After reassembly, restore power and verify the unit advances through cooling and defrost
Do-It-Yourself Stories from Customers like You
The refrigerator section was not staying cold as before and the noise was louder than normal Stephen S. • Flagstaff , AZ • July 11, 2015
At first, I suspected the evaporator fan motor was going bad, but when I went in to check it out, I found the evaporator coils totally frozen up; the fan was cavitating. I defrosted the coils completely and checked everything out. By process of elimination the Defrost timer had to be the culprit. I unplugged the timer and sure enough, the motor winding was open. Replacing the defrost timer fixed my problem. Troubleshooting (using the information available on your web site) took a little...
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