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.
Do-It-Yourself Stories from Customers like You
Was not cooling food due to evaporator freeze up causing restricted airflow in magic chef rc202t refrigerator Robert K. • Clifton , NJ • October 12, 2014
After removing the back cover in the freezer compartment with a Phillips screwdriver, I saw the evaporator coils completely iced up, which blocked all airflow. A hair dryer was used to completely melt the ice, which took about 15 minutes and filled up the drain pan almost to the top. A quick ohms check with a VOM showed the defrost heater elements were burned out. The wires for these elements are routed along the right side of the coils behind the cover lip, so after cutting a tie-wrap I...
Read more