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Customer Questions and Answers for Defrost Heater Assembly by Whirlpool

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Manufacturer Part
4.89 (64)
By: Whirlpool
Part Number: OEM18030324
Manufacturer Part Number: WP61006199

The Defrost Heater Assembly is an OEM replacement part for Whirlpool refrigerators. Located behind the freezer walls, it prevents ice buildup during automatic defrost cycles. Consistent performance is needed to maintain ideal temperatures. The defrost thermostat is included in the assembly.

Causes of a bad defrost heater assembly can include overheating from being covered in frost, corrosion from moist environments, or broken filaments due to vibration.

Symptoms include: 

  • Ice accumulating on freezer walls instead of melting away
  • Refrigerator failing to properly defrost 
  • Fault codes displayed related to defrost functions

Compatible with KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, and other brands, it ensures prolonged efficiency.

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Questions & Answers

For Whirlpool Defrost Heater Assembly (Part Number: OEM18030324)

1 Answer

Hello Carl, The defrost timer is located in the refrigerator section at the top behind light sheild.

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1 Answer

Hello Phil! The defrost thermostat is located on the defrost heater. When you purchase the heater assembly WP61006199 you will also receive the thermostat. The defrost timer is an adaptive defrost board 61005988 on your unit and is located in the control area. Thanks!

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1 Answer

Dennis, A couple of things to remember. Make sure there are no loose connections in the harness connections. Make sure the rubber" boots" on the end of the glass tube fit tight and don't get knocked off when installing the heater assembly(moisture on the inside of the glass will burn out a heater prematurely. Be careful with the retainer clips as well. Of course you need to follow the basic precautions with glass and sensitive components, Thanks

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1 Answer

Hello Terry, The defrost heater WP61001846 and defrost thermostat WP52085-29 are both in the freezer compartment behind the removable back wall. The defrost timer WP68233-3 is located in the fresh food compartment in the control box.

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1 Answer

Hello Bill, This is a defrost issue. You will need either a defrost heater and thermostat assembly WP61006199, or an electronic defrost control 61005988. On this model, the electronic control is the common part to fail. Be sure, after you install the part, defrost the unit with a hair dryer. The defrost circuit is only equipped to handle the frost build-up from one cycles worth of frost. It cannot defrost two weeks worth of ice build-up and the unit will still not operate properly with the frost build-up blocking the air flow through the coils.

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Casey B. for Model Number JCD2389GEQ

Hello, While defrosting a frozen drain pain on our refrigerator, I noticed the defrost element was not secured on the evaporator coil. I suspected that to be odd. Are the clips that secure the defroster sold by themselves or are they all made on the evaporator assembly? I notice a wire clip in the parts listing but not sure were it attaches and might there's a detailed picture of the defrost heater properly attached to the evaporator coil. The fridge is in a remote location and I am wondering if the clips may have been broken of by the previous owner, and possibly should I order some parts to take back on my return trip? Thank you Kindly. You have a great Webb site and I will share this with all of my friends and Family. Respectfully Yours, Casey Bartlett

1 Answer

Hello Casey, The defrost heater was originally designed to be held up by one of these clips WP67005457 in the middle of the bottom of the defrost heater. I was working for Maytag Corporation when these were being produced and all of us technicians complained that the defrost heaters were "drooping" after heating up several times. Their fix was telling the technicians to order two of the clips and put one on each end of the bottom of the evaporator to properly support the heating element. Of course the issue here is the fact that the heater, when "drooping", has malformed and two clips cannot be installed. If you force them on, the heating element being made of calrod material can crack and destroy the heating element. Therefore, if the heating element WP61006199 is malformed, it must be replaced to prevent melting the plastic liner in the freezer compartment.

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Laurie for Model Number Maytag Double Door Refrigerator MSD2655HEW

Hello I had a large amount of ice on the coils in my freezer and wires. I replaced the ADC panel thinking that was the problem, but the ice is still building. Do I need to replace the defrost thermostat? ...or heater??? Do I need to replace the freezer thermostat located behind the control knob...or is there another one in the freezer section? I never fixed a refrigerator before and am trying to solve the problem. I know my fans and compressor work fine. Thanks so much! Laurie:)

1 Answer

Hello Randy. The short will be in the adaptive defrost control 61005988. That is unless the harness is shorted, which is a long shot. Hope this helps and have a great day!

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