I’m an amateur hack working my way through the defrost issues on my fridge. Your advice is great, but I am trying to ensure that I have narrowed my problem down correctly. After evaluating the defrost timer (seems to not have problems, at least as indicated in the tutorial), I checked the continuity on the heater. I disconnected the wires from both ends and generated a small value on the ohm meter (assume that indicates everything is fine with the heater?). So am I to assume the thermometer is the only thing it could be? Is there any diagnostic for it, or if after testing the other options the thermometer is the only logical component that could be defective? Btw, I am sure the problem is an issue with the defrost system - so no need to consider any other options.
Thanks in advance for helping this appliance noob save $!
Assuming the part you call "thermometer" is actually defrost thermostat, there is very simple way how to test it. Bypass the defrost thermostat and turn the defrost timer in the defrost mode. If the defrost heater will come ON, just replace the defrost thermostat.
Thanks for the advice. Yes, I meant thermostat. I used your suggestion, but found when I went to pull the couplings apart the male end of the thermostat had broken off in the female end of the coupling, not sure if that might have been part of the problem. I am going to order the thermostat, but is it okay to leave the thermostat bypassed until I receive the new one? If not, how should I deal with it to keep the unit functioning? Thanks again for your advice.
Thanks, Gene. Appreciate the help. I would assume the signal to automatically defrost the fridge is when the coils begin to frost over and the freezer starts warming?