How to Check a Defrost Thermostat
- 1. Move the refrigerator away from the wall and unplug the power cord from the wall receptacle.
- 2. Locate and access the defrost thermostat. ...
- 3. Pull the defrost thermostat free of its retainer clip and remove the electrical wires from its terminal. ...
- 4. Set the function selector switch on the digital multimeter to its R x 1 scale. ...
How to test an evaporator fan in a freezer?
- When the evaporator fan fails, the stuff in your freezer will defrost. Open the freezer and check if you can feel cold air. ...
- Can you hear a loud pitched squeal from your refrigerator? ...
- When you remove the rear panel, check if there is any frost on the coils. ...
- There might be a problem with the grommet. ...
How do you test a freezer thermostat?
You should not disconnect the tube running from the unit to the freezer. Use a multimeter to test. A multimeter is an essential tool that can be used to test electrical resistance within a circuit. If you have a faulty thermostat, you will know after testing with this tool. Multimeters come in two types, digital multimeters, and analog multimeters.
How to test the defrost heater in your refrigerator?
Take the following steps if a GE refrigerator does not defrost:
- Check the defrost timer
- Inspect the defrost heater
- Test the defrost thermostat
- Check the defrost sensor
- Check the defrost control board
How to test a refrigerator thermostat [detailed guide]?
HOW TO TEST A REFRIGERATOR THERMOSTAT [DETAILED GUIDE ... From refrigeratorsreviewed.com. 2021-02-09 · Turn the refrigerator and freezer controls to OFF and 0 inside the refrigerator. Then, plug the refrigerator back into the wall outlet. Set the refrigerator ….
See 4 key topics from this page & related content
How do you test a freezer thermostat with a multimeter?
0:062:05Fridge Warm? Defrost Thermostat Testing, Troubleshooting - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSince you can't tell if a defrost thermostat has failed simply by looking at it you'll need toMoreSince you can't tell if a defrost thermostat has failed simply by looking at it you'll need to perform a continuity test a continuity test will determine if a continuous electrical path is present in
How do I know if my freezer thermostat is working?
1:523:20No Cool Refrigerator - How to test the Thermostat - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhich is that little signal symbol right there or mine beeps whenever it's making a circuit here. SoMoreWhich is that little signal symbol right there or mine beeps whenever it's making a circuit here. So with the thermostat turn to one. Get some kind of reading.
What happens when defrost thermostat fails?
If the thermostat is defective it may not be able to sense the temperature of coils and then won't turn on the defrost heater. If the defrost heater doesn't turn on, the refrigerator will never start the defrost cycle and will eventually stop cooling.
Is a defrost thermostat normally open or closed?
The defrost thermostat should be in the closed position when cold. Check to be sure the thermostat is opening at the correct temperature by placing it in water and slowly heating the water. Defrost thermostats are designed to open between 40 degrees and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
How do I know if my freezer thermostat is bad?
If food freezes inside the fridge or its compartments, the cause may be a faulty thermostat. You can use an appliance thermometer to check the thermostat, or try increasing the temperature a couple of degrees. Then wait a day to check whether the food has become unfrozen.
How do you test a thermostat?
Standard thermostats: Enlist a friend or family member to assist, Position one person by the thermostat and one person by the furnace. Slowly turn the thermostat from off to heat and increase the temperature. Both the thermostat and furnace should make a sound.
How do I know if my defrost heater is bad?
0:552:47How To Test A Defrost Heater On A Refrigerator or Freezer - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou should get an approximate reading of 10 to 150 ohms. If the display on the meter does not changeMoreYou should get an approximate reading of 10 to 150 ohms. If the display on the meter does not change or if your own reading is far off for mass then you have a bad email.
What causes a refrigerator freezer to not defrost?
The first steps are to check the function of both the defrost heater and the defrost thermostat. If both of these items are working properly, the most likely culprit is a faulty defrost control board. When this happens, the best bet is to replace the board.
What causes a freezer to stop defrosting?
Depending on the appliance, this may be caused by a defective defrost heater, bimetal, defrost sensor or control board. The temperature-monitoring device may be malfunctioning, either a temperature sensor or thermostat isn't reading the temperature correctly.
How do you bypass a defrost sensor?
0:115:42How to bypass a Defrost Heat Pump Board to allow cooling - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you have anything that you can to jumper those out in this application on wire ID tape that upMoreIf you have anything that you can to jumper those out in this application on wire ID tape that up nice. The reason for this is because the defrost. Board completes the circuit to the condenser fan.
Does the thermostat in the fridge control the freezer?
Analogue or manual thermostat. Most models have a single, manual thermostat for setting the temperature in both the fridge and freezer. That's basically a dial with the numbers 0-5 on it.
How do I test my freezer thermostat for continuity?
2:184:44How To Test Your Defrost Thermostat & How They Work - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPlace one of each of the meters probes on each of the defrost thermostat wires while the thermostatMorePlace one of each of the meters probes on each of the defrost thermostat wires while the thermostat is colder than the closing temperature. The thermostat should have continuity.
How do you test a refrigerator thermostat?
Quick video showing you how to test the thermostat on a basic refrigerator control. If you have a refrigerator that is not cooling and the fan and...
How do I know if my refrigerator is frozen?
The first thing to check is the thermostat control itself. This is because it is the most common cause of major temperature changes in a refrigerat...
Where is the thermostat on a refrigerator?
Some fridges and freezers have a thermostat control dial inside the unit and others operate via an electronic control panel on the front of the app...
How do you wire a freezer thermostat?
Use needle-nose pliers if the wires are pressed into place or a screwdriver if they are screwed into place. Freezer thermostats generally have five...
How to bypass thermostat on freezer?
Bypass the Thermostat. Turn off your power, and then remove the wiring from the thermostat, and connect them to your defrost heater. This should be easily managed when you are looking at the thermostat, the wires will be evident. Turn the freezer back on, and wait for 10 minutes.
What to do if freezer doesn't defrost?
Replace the thermostat in the freezer, and test the defrost timer again. If the freezer still does not start to defrost, you may have to replace the thermostat completely.
Why is the defrost thermostat on my refrigerator important?
The defrost thermostat on your fridge is an important piece of equipment which prevents your freezer from becoming too cold. However, from time to time, these devices can apparently fail, and cause problems which include leaks upon the floor, a warm refrigerator portion, or a freezer section which has ice forming across the back.
How long does it take for a freezer to defrost?
This should automatically trigger a warming of the freezer section. However, if after 20 minutes the freezer still has not begun to defrost, then you will need to remove the back wall, and look at the thermostat itself.
How to check if thermostat is failing ohms?
Inspect the Connections. Once the thermostat has failed the Ohms test, then you should check the connections at the back. Pry off the connectors, using a pair of thin pliers if necessary, and remove the wires.
How to check temperature on thermostat?
Check the Temp. Open up the thermostat, and find the small vial of mercury that measures the temperature. This can sometimes come out of alignment, and will need to be re-set. Using your pliers, turn the nut on the mercury screw until the connection pops out.
How to check continuity of thermostat?
You should check the voltage continuity of your thermostat, using a multimeter. Connect your probes to the thermostat, and turn it on. When the thermostat has a consistent reading, you should see a Ohms setting of 0.
What is a defrost thermostat?
The defrost thermostat, a bi-metallic switch, controls the temperature rise in the freezer compartment during the defrost cycle. Once the temperature reaches a preset level, the defrost thermostat opens, shutting off electric current to the defroster heating elements, much as your home's heating thermostat shuts down the furnace once ...
Where is the thermostat on a refrigerator?
In side-by-side refrigerator-freezers, the thermostat usually is at the back of the compartment. With top-mounted freezers, the thermostat usually is under the compartment's floor plate or behind a molding at the front edge of the floor plate. With bottom-mounted freezers, the thermostat usually is under the compartment's roof plate.
How to remove wires from thermostat?
Pull the defrost thermostat free of its retainer clip and remove the electrical wires from its terminal. In most cases, the wires are connected with push-on terminals. In high-end appliances, the wires may be secured with screws. In the latter case, remove the screws by turning them counterclockwise.
What happens if your thermostat is not working?
A malfunctioning thermostat can keep the defrost heating elements from turning on or keep them on too long, causing heat damage or even a fire.
How to remove thermostat plates?
The plates covering the thermostat may be held in place by screws or clips. To remove the plates, remove the screws or release the clips with a small screwdriver. In the case of a molding, use care not to crack it when removing it.
What does 0.000 mean on a thermostat?
The LCD on the meter will display “0.000” if the cold thermostat is in the closed position. The defrost thermostat should be in the closed position when cold. Check to be sure the thermostat is opening at the correct temperature by placing it in water and slowly heating the water.
How to test a multimeter with a red jack?
Set the function selector switch on the digital multimeter to its R x 1 scale. Plug the red test lead into the red jack, marked "VmA" -- volts milliamperes. Plug the black test lead into the black jack marked "COM." Attach the test probes to the terminals on the thermostat.
Where is the defrost thermostat located?
Defrost thermostat is located in the freezer compartment, usually clipped tightly on to a tubing attached to the evaporator.
What are the thermostors in a refrigerator made of?
Thermistors used in GE refrigerators are made up of NTC (sintered metal oxides ceramic made of manganese, nickel, cobalt and other elements), combined with binders and stabilizers then pressed into a precise shape to dictate their resistance and temperature curve.
How many kilo ohms is a good thermistor?
Step # 10 – Take an OHM reading from your multimeter; it should be around 16.3 Kilo-Ohms (16,300 Ohms). Any reading that is more or less than 5% from this value means your thermistor is bad and will need to be replaced.
What is the thermistors part number for GE refrigerator?
All thermistors used in GE refrigerators are identical with part #WR55X10025. You can check the latest price here
How long to soak a thermistor in water?
Step # 7 – Submerge the thermistor in a small zip-loc bag and duct tape to the wall with ice and a small amount of water for 5 minutes (will approximately simulate 32 degrees in Fahrenheit)
What is a thermistor?
A thermistor, which is combination of the words therm al and res istor, is a type of resistor used to measure temperature changes and deliver differing electrical resistance in response to that change . Because thermistors are highly sensitive in order to maintain temperature for refrigerators, it is vital to ensure that thermistors are working correctly 24/7.
Why did GE discontinue thermistors?
Around 2010, GE discontinued using thermistors made by Keystone/Thermometrics under the General Electric Information Services (GEIS) label due to high failure rate caused by moisture penetration. Keystone/Thermometrics thermistors have an open bottom (usually in black) at the point of wire entry into the polymer casing. This casing will also have a distinct “dome”.
How to test a refrigerator defrost thermostat?
Directions for testing a refrigerator defrost thermostat. Before you begin to test your defrost thermostat, make sure you disconnect the appliance's power supply. The easiest way to do this is to unplug the unit from the wall. Alternatively, you could trip the appropriate switch in the circuit breaker panel, or you could remove ...
Where is the defrost thermostat on a refrigerator?
If you have a side-by-side refrigerator, the defrost thermostat is found at the back of the freezer side. The thermostat is wired in series with the defrost heater, and when the thermostat opens, the heater shuts off. You will have to remove any objects that are in your way such as the contents of the freezer, freezer shelves, icemaker parts, and the inside rear, back, or bottom panel.
How to check if a thermostat is cold?
Place each of the multitester's leads on a thermostat wire. When your thermostat is cold, it should produce a reading of zero on your multitester. If it is warm (anywhere from forty to ninety degrees Fahrenheit), then this test should produce a reading of infinity. If the results you receive from your test differ from the ones presented here, then you will need to replace your defrost thermostat.
How to remove plastic molding from freezer?
The panel you need to remove may be held in place with either retainer clips or screws. Remove the screws or use a screwdriver to release the clips holding the panel in place . Some older refrigerators may require that you remove a plastic molding before you can gain access to the freezer floor. Exercise caution when removing the molding, as it does break fairly easily. You could try warming it with a warm, wet towel first.
