icemaker quit

i am working on an icemaker and have found that the motor module unit has stripped gears. i want to order a new module but am afraid that it may repete the malfunction if the ice cube tray does not defrost.
i see what looks like a heating element on the under side of the ice cube tray. if i am correct about that then i need to know a good way of testing it. what should the ohms reading be ? or can i jump some of the test terminals on the motor module unit and make it come on for test purposes ?