General Electric Refrigerator PSS23MSTCSS Too warm

The Defrost Thermostat is an OEM replacement part designed for use in GE refrigerators. This component acts as a safety device in the refrigerator's defrost system, preventing the freezer from overheating during the defrost cycle. It works by monitoring the temperature of the evaporator coil and turning off the defrost heater when the coil gets warm enough, thus safeguarding the freezer from getting too hot.  

Causes of a bad defrost thermostat can include corrosion, a blown fuse inside the thermostat, or wear and tear over time, which can lead to malfunctioning of the refrigerator's defrost system.

Symptoms of a bad Defrost Thermostat include:

• Frost buildup on the back wall of the freezer
• The refrigerator is not cooling properly
• The freezer is cold but the refrigerator is warm
• The defrost heater not turning on

This GE replacement part is also compatible with Hotpoint, RCA, and some Kenmore models.

Fix uneven cooling or defrost issues with a new temperature sensor. Most DIYers complete this repair in under an hour with basic tools and our video.

Freezer icing up or frost buildup? This defrost heater melts accumulated ice on evaporator coils. Moderately difficult repair requires panel removal.

If your refrigerator compartment isn't cooling while the freezer stays cold, the evaporator fan motor likely failed. DIY-friendly repair with video guide.